The ancient seat of knowledge, Nalanda University had sparkled as a priceless jewel in the Indian subcontinent for over five centuries (427-1197 CE). Patronised by the reigning Kings since the time of Ashoka, it was among the world’s finest centres of learning and attracted students from all over the world. Continue reading →

In ancient times, the Wright Brothers had not descended, nor has James Watt invented the steam engine. Ships and riverine trade was important but the roads were a vital mode of transportation too. There were some such trade routes that left their imprints on history. One of them was the Persian Royal Road. Continue reading →

Adam Smith once commented that the discovery of the East Indies and the Americas were the two most important occurrences in the history of mankind. Well, the former would not have been possible without a certain sailor by the name of Vasco De Gama. When the Portuguese learnt that the Spanish Armada had discovered the Americas, the Portuguese king immediately ordered a voyage through the other side of the earth. Continue reading →

M.K. Gandhi is the father of our nation. As Indian citizens, it is not only necessary but also important to read Bapu’s philosophy, ideas and experiences that shaped him. Here is a bit about the autobiography of the man, whom the Nobel Committee has admitted to have  been the greatest personality omitted by the committee. Continue reading →

Jawaharlal Nehru had the best of English education at Eton and Cambridge. His scientific temperament, supplemented by his great literary and oratory skills helped India build its ‘temples’. Letters from a Father to His Daughter is a collection of 30 letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1928 to his daughter Indira Gandhi when she was 10 years old, teaching about natural history and the story of civilisations. Very poignant in nature, it shows the other side of India’s first Prime Minister.

The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22 October 1764 between the forces under the command of the British East India Company, and the combined armies of Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal; the Nawab of Awadh; and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor. The battle fought at Buxar (currently in Bihar state, India), a town located on the bank of the Ganges river, was a decisive battle won by the forces of the British East Inh after the Battle of Plassey and it gave them control over the entire erstwhile Bihar and eastern U.P. Continue reading →

The study of linguistics in India dates back at least two and one-half millennia. It was during the 5th century BCE that the Indian scholar Pāṇini had made several discoveries in the fields of phonetics, phonology, and morphology. He ,of course, was the father of Tamil Grammar as well. Continue reading →

The “Great Bath”is one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of its times. At a time when the rest of civilization were petty primitive, the Indus Civilization was highly dveloped. Built at the site of Mohenjo-Daro, it was most likely dug during the 3rd millennium BC as is generally regarded as the world’s first pool. This pool is 12 by 7 meters, is lined with bricks and was covered with a tar-based sealant.
Later on, Ancient Greeks and Romans built artificial pools for athletic training in the palaestras, for nautical games and for military exercises. Roman emperors had private swimming pools in which fish were also kept, hence one of the Latin words for a pool, piscina. The first heated swimming pool was built by Gaius Maecenas of Rome in the first century BC. Gaius Maecenas was a rich Roman lord and considered one of the first patrons of arts.

There are many references to the significance of the Rakhi festival in Vaishnava theology. Many of these significant historical facts are still not known or recorded.

Vritra-Indra
The origin of this festival is usually traced back to the historical incidents of Indra’s fight with Vritra-Indra that resulted in Indra’s loss. Then, his wife had tied a thread around his wrist and empowered it with divine powers to make sure Indra emerged victorious in the duel that followed. Continue reading →