Indian History

With such a great number of archaeological sites dotting the landscape of India, it is not easy task to pinpoint top ten places to visit in the country. Here are 10 of the best medieval archaeological sites in India worth visiting, selected for their historical importance, architectural splendour and archaeological significance. Hampi, Karnataka   Virupaksha Temple in Hampi | Photo Credit: John Gollings If you are in a need to improve your mind in the contemplation of old stones, Hampi, capital of the powerful Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara("City of Victory") on the Tungabhadra River, is well endowed to satisfy to the grosser appetites. Hampi was the focal point of the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire. Any traveler visiting India will be blown away by Hampi history. Thought the city was mercilessly sacked by the marauding armies of the Muslim Sultanates of Deccan after their coalition defeated the de facto ruler of Vijayanagara, Ram Raja, in the famous battle of Talikot...

Here are ten ancient archaeological sites in India that deserve a place on every history enthusiast's travel list. Ajanta Caves — Maharashtra Located approximately 100 km northeast of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad ) in Maharashtra, the world-famous Ajanta Caves comprise 30 numbered rock-cut Buddhist caves excavated into the steep rock face of a horseshoe-shaped gorge overlooking the Waghora River. The caves include chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries). Their excavation began around the 2nd century BCE and continued in a later phase, mainly during the 5th century CE. The magnificent sculptures and exquisite paintings that adorn the Ajanta Caves make them among the most remarkable monuments of ancient Indian art. The murals depict episodes from the life of the Buddha and stories from the Jatakas, which recount his previous births. They also provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs, social life and artistic achievements of ancient India. Amon...

Bagh Caves are one of the five new additions to UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage for India. The Bagh caves comprise a group of 9 rock-cut Buddhist caves located on the southern slope of the Vindhyan range at the banks of the Baghni river in western Madhya Pradesh.  Painting was a highly developed art in ancient India, as testified by the celebrated cave paintings of Ajanta. The murals at the Bagh Caves provide further evidence of the high artistic achievements of ancient Indian painters. Located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, the Bagh Caves are renowned for their remarkable wall paintings. These caves were developed around the 4th and 6th century CE. Among the notable works of art at Bagh is a painting depicting a procession of elephants. Some experts have considered this painting particularly impressive, even comparing it favourably with the paintings at Ajanta. Bagh caves are the only outcrop of sandstone in an otherwise basaltic region, a significant factor which...

A ninth-century CE sculpture depicting Gajalakshmi , associated with the Rashtrakuta period, has been found at Yanagandla village in Kulcharam mandal of Medak district in Telangana. Gajalakshmi is a form of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess associated with wealth, prosperity, fertility and good fortune. The word combines gaja (elephant) and Lakshmi. The Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled large parts of southern India for more than two centuries.  The black granite sculpture is particularly significant because it combines the image of Goddess Lakshmi with a depiction of scene of Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean by gods and demons) above the goddess, while its reverse side features a 12-armed Shiva-Nataraja, performing the Ananda Tandava, or the dance of bliss, with Brahma and Vishnu seated on either side, with their hands folded. Goddess Gajalakshmi is depicted seated in Padmasana (the lotus posture), holding lotus flowers in both hands, while elephants on either side anoint her....

  Ratnagiri, Odisha Q.1. Which of the following foreign travellers was the first to visit India? (a) Fa-Hien  (b) Hiuen Tsang (c) Megasthenes (d) I-Tsing Q.2. The third Buddhist council was held under whose patronage? (a) Kanishka (b) Ashoka (c) Bimbisar (d) Ajatashatru  Q.3. The capital of Kanishka was : (a) Purushapura (b) Benares (c) Pataliputra (d) Sarnath Q.4. The official court language of the Guptas was (a) Pali (b) Magdhi (c) Prakrit (d) Sanskrit Q.5. Buddhism was introduced in Nepal during the reign of  (a) Kanishka (b) Ashoka (c) Chandragupta (d) Harshavardhana Answers 1. c Megasthenes came to India between 302 BCE and 288 BCE, during the reign of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya as an ambassador of Seleucus Nicator.  Fa-Hien (Faxian) came to India between 399 CE and 414 CE, during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II . Hiuen Tsang was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler who visited India in the first half of the 7th ...

  Q.1. Which ruler is mentioned in the Hathigumpha inscription? (a) Yasovarman (b) Pulakeshin II  (c) Kharavela (d) Gautamiputra Satakarni Q.2. St. Thomas is believed to have come to India to spread Christianity during the reign of which ruler? (a) Cheras (b) Parthians (c) Pandyas (d) Cholas Q.3. During the reign of which Gupta ruler did the Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visit India? (a) Chandra Gupta I (b) Chandra Gupta II (c) Samudra Gupta (d) Kumara Gupta Q.4. Who was the author of Kadambari? (a) Banabhatta (b) Harshavardhana (c) Bhavabhuti (d) Vakpati  Q.5. Pulakesin II was the greatest ruler of which dynasty? (a) Cholas  (b) Pallavas of Kanchi  (c) Chalukyas of Kalyani (d) Chalukyas of Badami Q.6. To which clan did Gautama Buddha belong? (a) Gnathrika (b) Maurya (c) Sakya (d) Licchavi Q.7. The Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram bear witness to the art patronised by which dynasty? (a) Pandyas (b) Pallavas (c) Cholas (d) Chalukyas Q.8. The caves and rock-cut temples ...