Indian History

Did Muhammad bin Tughluq launch his career as a ruler  of the Tughlaq dynasty  by arranging the murder of his own father, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of the dynasty? Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq , the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, died in 1325 AD from the collapse of a wooden pavilion which his son Jauna , better known as Muhammad bin Tughluq , had got built by the royal architect (Mir ‘Imard) Ahmad, son of Ayaz. The wooden structure was built at Afghanpur to welcome Sultan after his successful military campaign in Bengal. Afghanpur was located some six miles from Tughluqabad (located on Mehrauli Badarapur Road in Delhi), the fortress-city founded by Ghiyas-ud-din.  Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq's Tomb Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was buried in the tomb which he had built for himself at Tughlaqabad. There are two schools of thought about the Sulltan’s death. While one has accused Muhammad bin Tughlaq of patricide, other has attributed the death to divine interv

A United Nations committee added Chhau dance , a traditional dance of eastern India to a list of "intangible heritages" that need preservation. Chhau dance, prevalent in parts of the states of Orissa , West Bengal and Jharkhand , has been included in the list along with two other Indian performing art forms - Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan and Mudiyettu , a ritual theatre of Kerala . The additions were among 51 items added to The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The list highlights elements needing protection against the increasing urbanization and globalization. The Chhau dance, famed for its crafted masks and mock combat movements, is in need of support due to the backwardness of the area where this dance form is practised. The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity now comprises 213 elements.

Mattavilasa-prahasana , one of the masterpieces of Sanskrit literature, was written by Mahendravarman I of the Pallava dynasty of south India. Mahendravarman I (571– 630CE), also known as Mahendravikramavarman, was a contemporary of Harshavardhan of Kanauj. The Pallava ruler is credited with the introduction of the cave style of architecture. He is known for assuming the significant title of Vichitrachitta , “curious minded.”  Mattavilasa (the Sport of the Drunkards) is a one-act play, full of rollicking satire. This little farce tells the story of a drunken Shaivite (follower of Shaivism, the cult of the god Shiva) ascetic, who accuses a Buddhist monk of stealing the skull which he uses as a begging bowl. This leads to the scene of acrimonious debate, full of satirical dialogue, among ascetics of different sects and both sexes. In the end it is found that the skull was stolen by a dog.

Of various forms in which Shiva is worshipped, Nataraja is one of the most important. Shiva is the Lord of Dance ( Nataraja ). Popularity of this aspect of Shiva in south India is due to the fact that religious dancing was very much in vogue there. In this aspect, Shiva is depicted as dancing on the high slopes of the Himalayan Mount Kailasha or in the temple of Chidambaram or Tillai, located near the seacoast in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu and 78 km south of Pondicherry.  The temple of Chidambaram is mystically identified with Kailasha. This Nataraj has been described as the cultural epitome of the Chola empire which was at its zenith of glory for three hundred years from about 850AD to 1150AD.  Shiva is credited with the invention of 108 different forms of dances. Some of these dances are calm and gentle while others are fierce. Of the latter, tandava is the most famous. In tandava, Shiva, flanked by his drunken attendants ( ganas ) dances terribly to the accompaniment o

After the death of 3rd Pala ruler Devapala, the Pala kingdom was on its way to decline. Till the rule of Devapala, Bengal ranked high among the important powers in the history of mediaeval India. He was succeeded by Vigrahapala I, whose short reign was devoid of any important event. After him, his son Narayanapala ascended the throne in 854 A.D. He showed little interest in military conquests because he was a peace loving and religious person. During the rule of Narayanapala, the Pala kingdom fell prey to the invading armies of the Rashtrakutas in 860 A.D. He was thoroughly defeated. The Pala Empire also could not escape the invasion of the Pratiharas who dealt a severe blow to the body-politic of the kingdom. Bhoja I of the Pratihara kingdom and his son  Mahendrapala succeeded in seizing Magadha from Narayanapala. The Paharpur Pillar Inscription attests to the conquests by the Pratihara rulers. Taking advantage of the weakening condition of the Pala kingdom, the rulers of Kamarupa a

The language of the Indus Civilization , also known as Harappan Civilization in popular parlance, is still unknown. This will remain so until the Indus Civilization script is deciphered. Broadly there are two schools of thoughts as to the nature of the language of the Harappan civilization. According to one, the language belongs to the Indo-European or even Indo-Aryan family. The other school is of the opinion that the language belonged to the Dravidian family.  Notwithstanding of the close scrutiny of some more than 2500 Harappan inscriptions, the task of decipherment remains arduous. Added to this the shortness of the inscriptions nearly all on seals or amulets tablets, renders it difficult to interpret.  It’s is due to these challenges the associated problems have attracted a whole lot of authorities, scholars and experts to attempt their solution. What’s your take on that?

As a result of Alexander’s invasion of India, a number of Greek travelers came to India. They were first to communicate to the outside world what they saw of India. Famous among them are Onesicritus of Astypalaea, Aristobulus of Cassandreia and Nearchus . Onesicritus and Nearchus ware officers in Alexander’s army during his invasion of India. Aristobulus was the Greek historian who accompanied Alexander on his campaigns. Subsequent to these writers came the ambassadors from the Hellenistic kingdoms to the Mauryan court. Their accounts of India were based on a wider and closer observance of the country. Among them the most famous was Megasthenes , who was sent as ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya by Seleucus Nikator , Alexander’s general and the Greek ruler of Persia and Babylon. Other Greek ambassadors or travelers who visited India were Deimachus , Patrocles , Dionysius and Timosthees . Deimachus came to Patliputra as ambassador to the court of Bindusara , son and succ