Indian History

One of the most famous figures of Indian history, Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha kingdom. The rise of Marathas is considered to be a revival of Hinduism in the seventeenth century. A brilliant leader, Shivaji was a just ruler and a statesman of consummate craft. He always respected the religion of his adversaries. Belonging to the Bhonsle clan, Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of  Shivneri  near Junnar (in the Pune district of Maharashtra) in 1630. According to one school of thought, he was born in 1627. His grandfather Maloji was employed with the  Nizam Shahi  rulers of Ahmednagar. Shahji, eldest son of Maloji and father of Shivaji, was initially in the service of the Ahmednagar kingdom as a trooper in the army. Shahji was married to Jijabai, daughter of a noble in the service of Nizam Shahi Kingdom.   Jijabai, who was a virtuous lady and had a profound impact on Shivaji, was the daughter of Lakhuji Jadav Rao, who claimed descent from the Yadavas of Devagiri. Shahji  was soo

Vaishali in Bihar attracts pilgrims who come here for a brush with divine. The Buddha passed through Vaishali on his last journey and spent the last rainy season (Vassa) of life here. Vaishali played host to the Second Buddhist Council which was held 100 years after Buddha’s death. It was at this council that Buddhism was divided into Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas.  During Buddha’s time Vaishali was the capital of the tribal confederation of Vijjis. One of the six chief cities of India at that period, Vaishali was annexed by Magadhan ruler Ajatashatru, son of Bimbisara . Its prosperity has been vividly described in Lalitavistara, one of the earliest texts on Mahayana Buddhism.  Hailed as the world's first republic, Vaishali is also known for its association with Ambapali , the beautiful courtesan, who is famous in the Buddhist legend. Her invitation for dinner was accepted by the Buddha. One of the most beautiful poems of the Pali canon is attributed to Ambapali who later became

Located in close proximity to the India-Bangladesh border in the Malda district of West Bengal, Jagjivanpur is a famous archaeological site where excavations have yielded the structural remains of Nandadirghi Vihar, a Buddhist monastery which was a leading centre of learning in 9th Century AD during the Pala rule . This Buddhist monastery was built on the instruction of Pala king Mahendrapala who was the son of Devpala, the third ruler of the Pala dynasty. The Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhism.  Jagjivanpur came to the forefront of conscious attention when a copper plate inscription of Mahendrapala Deva was discovered in 1987 here. The plate, which also confirmed the historicity of Mahendrapal Deva, states that he had granted a plot called Nandadirghik-odranga to his army chief for constructing a Buddhist monastery. Since then subsequent excavations have led to the findings of Nandadirghi Vihar.    How to reach Jagjivanpur  Air:  Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in Wes

Hemis Festival / Image Credit Come the 10th day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar and Hemis Gompa, the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, plays host to one of the most important festivals of Ladakh. For visitors seeking a rendezvous with the unique Ladakh’s culture, the two- day Hemis Festival makes for a great opportunity offering them a matchless spectacle of masked dances, traditional music, religious rituals and ceremonies and a lifetime opportunity to sample the delicious cuisines of Ladakh.  Hemis Festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of the Vajrayana Buddhism in Ladakh. The festival brings out the extroverted side of the famously friendly people of Ladakh. If you want to see the annual Hemis Tsechu festival you will have to come in the months of June and July.  Sitting on a hillock, Hemis Gompa is 40km from Leh and the centerpiece of any visit to Ladakh. During the celebration of the Hemis festival the monastery comes al

Excavations at Devni Mori, 2 km from Shamlaji in the Aravalli district  in North Gujarat have led to the discovery of architecturally and sculpturally rich Buddhist remains that include a Buddhist monastery dating back to 3rd-4th century AD. The excavation at the site was carried under the supervision of R N Mehta and S. N. Chaudhary.                                                                             Devni Mori STupa / Image Credit The discovery of the stupa in Shamlaji is a testament to the influence of Buddhism in the area during the early period of the Christian era. The discovery of cascade containing relics of the Buddha from the stupa has further enhanced the sacredness of the stupa and the place of pilgrimage for the Buddhists. The inscription on the casket says that it contains sacred ashes of Buddha.

Kankwari Fort (Sariska Tiger Reserve)/ Image Credit Kankwadi fort is located within the bounds of the Sariska National Park in Alwar district in Rajasthan. S ituated 107 km from Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur and 200 km from Delhi , Sariska National Park   is one of the largest and most famous national parks in India. Originally the private hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar, this national park is rich in flora and fauna. Kankawari Fort / Image Credit The Kankwadi fort was used by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to imprison his eldest brother Dara Shikoh when the former was bitterly engaged with his brothers in the struggle for succession ofthe Mughal throne .  

Maha Kassappa  smiling at the lotus flower/Wikipedia 33 km from Gaya in Bihar, the small village of Gurpa or Gurpada is home to the Kukkutapadagir mountain where Maitreya, the future Buddha, will return and receive the robes of the Buddha, kept with the latter’s successor, Maha Kassappa who is still in a state of meditation here. Before his death, the Buddha had given the robes to Maha Kassappa under whose presidentship the first Buddhist Council was held in the Magadhan capital of Rajagraha (modern Rajgir).  Legend has it that when Maha Kassappa sensed that his life was nearing its end he decided to proceed to Kukkutapadagiri. During his journey to Gurpa, he withstood all the obstructions and the three peaks of the Kukkutapadagir mountain parted ways resulting in the creation of a seat for him. Since then Maha Kassappa is awaiting the arrival of Maitreya who will descend to this world in order to share the message of the Buddha with the mankind.  Today Gurpa is a major Buddhist pilgri