Indian History

                                       Maurya Empire, c.250 BCE /  Wikimedia Commons Chandragupta Maurya’s claim to fame rests on the fact that he was the founder of the first and one of the greatest empires that appeared in India. He not only succeeded in overthrowing the unpopular last ruler of the Nandas with their capital at Pataliputra (modern day Patna), also to his credit goes the driving out of the Greeks garrisons from the North-West frontier set up as a result of Alexander’s invasion and unification of a large part of India including the Deccan. In fact, he was the first Indian ruler who sent military expeditions beyond the Vindhyas and brought the area under his influence. The early life of Chandragupta Maurya The early life of Chandragupta Maurya and his ascent to the throne is hidden in obscurity. He is described as Sandrocottus  in the Greek sources which attest to his meeting with Alexander who did not like his boldness of speech. Chandragupta Maurya is also men

After the death of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of Sur dynasty that almost supplanted the nascent Mughal Empire resulting in the exile of the second Mughal emperor Humayun from India, he was succeeded on the throne by his second son Jalal Khan on 25th May 1545 AD. Sher Shah died on 22nd May from an accidental explosion of gunpowder during his siege of the Hindu fort of Kalinjar in central India. Since it was felt by the nobles of the empire that someone was needed to be raised to the throne as early as possible they forsake his eldest son Adil Khan in favour of Jalal Khan who was in the town of Rewah which was nearer to Kalinjar than Ranthambore where the eldest son was present at the time of Sher Shah’s demise.    Jalal Khan ascended the throne with the title of Islam Shah though he is more popularly known as Salim Shah. The fort he built in Delhi is also known as Salimgarh Fort, lying adjacent to the Red Fort built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of Taj Mahal.  A ruin

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.