Indian History

Though the origin of the Vijayanagar Empire is in the realm of debate, it can be said with certainty that its foundation in 1336 was a culmination of the political and cultural movement against the Muslim ideas and forces of Delhi Sultanate in the south India. This powerful kingdom continued to unfurl the banner of Hinduism for almost three centuries. The nucleus of the kingdom was the city of Vijayanagar, identified with present day Hampi (located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River) in Karnataka.  Sangama Dynasty There is unanimity among the historians that the kingdom was founded by Harihara and Bukka, sons of Sangama. The first dynasty which lasted from 1336 to 1485 was named after Sangama, father of the duo. After  Harihara, Bukka ruled from 1356 to 1377. In 1374 he sent an embassy to China. He was succeeded in 1377 by his son Harihara II who ruled till 1404. During his rule of 27 years he strengthened the power of the Vijayanagar empire and was responsible for its su

Q. 1 Which of the following Sangam rulers is known as ‘Red Chera’? (a) Senguttuvan (b) Karikala (c) Nedunjeral (d) Elara Answer (a) Q. 2 Which of the following kings of the Sangam Age is credited with the foundation of Puhar or Kaveripattinam? (a) Karikala (b) Elara (c) Vijayalaya (d) Ilandiraiyan Answer (c) Q. 3 Karikala, the famous king of this period, belonged to which of the following dynasties did? (a) Chola (b) Chera (c) Pandya (d) Pallava Answer (a) Q. 4 Which of the following was not one of the royal dynasties of the Tamil country during the Sangam Age? (a) Pandya (b) Chera (c) Pallava (d) Chola Answer (c) Q. 5 The spies during the Sangam period were known as? (a) Dutas (b) Spasas (c) Orrars (d) Sanjayans Answer (c)

Q. 1 Which of the following Sangam rulers is known as ‘Red Chera’? (a) Senguttuvan (b) Karikala (c) Nedunjeral (d) Elara Answer (a) Q. 2 Which of the following kings of the Sangam Age is credited with the foundation of Puhar or Kaveripattinam? (a) Karikala (b) Elara (c) Vijayalaya (d) Ilandiraiyan Answer (c)

Khwaja Ali Hujjwiri Popularly known as Data Ganj Baksh (Distributor of Unlimited Power), Khwaja Ali Hujjwiri lived in 11th century AD and is considered to be the earliest Sufi Saint of repute who made India his home. He died in Lahore and his tomb is an important place of pilgrimage.  Khwaja Ali Hujjwiri is known for compiling Kashf-ul-Mahjoob or Kashf al-Mahjub, a Persian treatise on Sufism, which was translated into English by British Orientalist and scholar Reynold Alleyne Nicholson. The work gives the biographies of Sufis from Prophet Muhammad's days to his own time.  Sheikh Bahaud-din Zakariya Credited with the foundation of the Suhrawardiya Sufi order in India, Sheikh Bahaud-din Zakariya made Multan his base which also served as headquarters of the order. He was born at  Kot Kehror (now known as Karor Lal Esan), near Multan.    His tomb is situated in Multan. Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti The founder of the Chisti order in India, Khwaja Muinud-din-Chisti was also known

Born in London in 1746, William Jones was one of the most celebrated orientalists who came to Calcutta in 1783 as a judge of the Supreme Court.   His contribution to reveal of India’s past to the world is immense. One of the best minds of the 18 th century, Jones was a linguistic genius. He knew all the important languages of Europe as well as Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish.           William Jones was the president of the Asiatic Society of Bengal which he founded in 1784. He also published a journal named Asiatic Researches.   In 1789, William Jones translated Kalidasa’s Sakuntala. He followed it by translating Gita Govinda and the law-book of Manu which was published posthumously in 1794 under the title Institutes of Hindoo law.      

Tantia Tope was the leader of the rebels of Central India who unfurled the banner of rebellion during the Revolt of 1857, known variously as First War of Independence, Sepoy Mutiny etc. The original name of this brave Maratha Brahmana was Ramchandra Panduranga who was endowed with indomitable spirit. During the uprising, Tantia Tope, an expert in the original Maratha Gurilla tactics, joined the troops of Nana Saheb, leader of the revolt in Kanpur. He helped Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi in her fight against the British forces. After her death in the battle on the 17th June, 1858, the British devoted their energy chasing him from place to place. An act of betrayal by Man Singh, a feudatory of Sindhia, found Tantia Tope in the hands of the British who sentenced him to death on charges of rebellion and murder on April 18, 1859.

Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the important leaders of the Revolt of 1857 which shook the very foundation of the British rule in India. B orn a courtesan, s he was one of the wives of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Oudh,  who was deposed by the British in 1856 and sent to exile in Calcutta. She led the revolt at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Acting as a regent of her eleven year old son Brijis Qadr, she ruled Awadh and under her tutelage the administration was reorganized. During the revolt, the residency of Lucknow was raided on her instruction. Providing spirited lead to the rebels she joined Maulvi Ahmadullah at Shahjahanpur. After her defeat by the English, Begum Hazrat Mahal retreated to Nepal. She refused to accept the pension offered by the British and chose to die unknown in alien country in 1879. She is buried in a grave in Kathmandu.