12 Maratha Forts Now India's 44th UNESCO's World Heritage Site

12 Maratha forts of 'Maratha Military Landscapes', representing extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, have been inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

The decision to include 12 forts in the list was taken during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in Paris.

"New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India," UNESCO said in a post on X.

The nomination for UNESCO tag was for the 2024-25 cycle.

Now India has 44 of its sites on the list. The country ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites. 

Spread across the Indian states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, 12 forts are Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

Of the 12 forts eight are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while the other forts are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. 

While Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Gingee fort are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India whereas Salher fort, Rajgad, Khanderi fort and Pratapgarh are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

Belonging to the period from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this network of twelve forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire.

Last year Moidams, the 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, becoming the first cultural site from the Northeast India to make it to the coveted list.

12 forts Maratha Military Landscapes

Salher Fort

Image Credit - Shirishghan

Shivneri Fort

                                                Shivneri Fort / Image Credit: DRONAH

Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu

Gingee Fort

Raigad Fort

Sindhudurg Fort

Lohagad fort 

Lohagad Fort / Image Credit

10 km from Malavali railway station,  Lohagad fort is situated on the top of a hill. Located at an altitude of 1025 meters, the fort is perched on an enormous cliff of sheer rock in the Sahyadris hills.

Nizam Shahi Dynasty of Ahmadnagar

 

Tomb of Ahmed Nizam Shah. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Ahmadnagar Sultanate, known more famously as the Nizam Shahi Dynasty, was one of the five independent states that arose on the debris of the Bahmani Sultanate. The Sultanate derives its name from Ahmadnagar, the seat of the power, which is 120 km northeast of Pune and located in the state of Maharashtra.

Nizam Shahi dynasty was founded by Malik Ahmad, son of Hasan Nizamul Mulk, wazir (Prime Minister) of the Bahmani kingdom after Mahmud Gawan’s execution in 1481. Mahmud Gawan was a renowned Islamic scholar who rose in ranks to become the wazir of the Bahmani kingdom. Malik Ahmad, who was appointed to the governorship of Junnar, asserted his independence in 1490. He transferred his seat of government from Junnar to Ahmadnagar which he founded in 1494. During his rule Daulatabad became part of the Ahmadnagar kingdom in 1499.

After Ahmad’s death in 1510, he was succeeded by his son Burhan, a lad of seven years at that time. Burhan, the first of the Nizam Shahis to assume the title of Nizam Shah, ruled for forty-three years. His interests were ably served by his able minister Mukammal Khan Dakhini. Ahmadnagar, during his reign, changed sides and joined coalition with the kingdoms of   Bidar, Bijapur. Golcunda and Berar and Vijayanagar against one another. He joined a coalition of Vijayanagar ruler against Bijapur in 1550. After his death in 1553 Burhan was succeeded by his son Husain Shah Nizami who joined the Deccan Muslim Sultanates against the Vijayanagar in the famous Battle of Talikota in 1665. The great city of Hampi, the seat of the Vijayanagar empire, was sacked after the defeat of the Vijayanagar Raya. 

Husain died in 1665 and was succeeded by his son Murtada Nizam Shah I (1565-88). During his rule, the Imad Shahi dynasty came to an end with the annexation of Berar to the Ahmadnagar kingdom in 1574. However, after this, Murtada lost his mental balance and began to consider his own son Miran to be his adversary. On the other hand, Miran conspired against his father and suffocated him to death while he was in his bed. This happened in 1588. Miran did not reign long and was succeeded by Ismail (1589-91) who ruled for two years. His reign was marked by the struggle for power between the Shias and the Mahdawi sect. Ismail’s father , Burhan Nizam Shah II, defeated his son’s army and ascended the Ahmadnagar throne. Burhan suffered a series of defeats at the hands of Ibrahim Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi dynasty. He was also unsuccessful in recovering Chaul from the Portuguese. It was during Burhan’s reign that Burhan  I – Ma’athir was compiled.

Burhan Nizam Shah II was succeeded by his son Ibrahim whose rule lasted for only four months. Confusion reigned supreme in the Ahmadnagar kingdom as there were four claimants to the throne. While one of them was supported by Chand Bibi, daughter of Husain Nizam Shah and widow of Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur, Miyan Manjhu threw his weight with another. Miyan Manjhu asked for help from Mughal emperor Akbar’s son prince Murad who responded by besieging the Ahmadnagar fort. Chand Bibi fought gallantly but in the end in 1596 she was forced to enter into an agreement with the Mughals, ceding Berar to the Mughal empire. Peace, however, did not last long and the Mughals again laid siege to the capital. It was during the second attack that Chand Bibi was either murdered or took poison and lost her life (1600).

However, the sagging fortunes of the Ahmadnagar empire were revived by Ahmandnagar’s Abyssinian minster Malik Ambar. He was a thrice manumitted Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave who is known in the medieval period as a great statesman and able administrator. Deciding not to surrender to the Mughal might, he raided the Mughal territory with great effect by means of guerrilla tactics. He installed Murtaza II as ruler of Nizam Shahi dynasty with his capital at Parenda. Malik Ambar’s gallant resistance to the Mughal forces ended when he was defeated by Mughal Prince Khurram first in 1617 and again in 1621. Applauding his role in this victory, Prince Khurram was given by his father Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, the title of Shah Jahan (King of the World). Malik Ambar’s death in 1626 was the last nail in the Ahmadnagar Sultanate's coffin. Murtada III, the last Nizam Shahi ruler, was captured by Aurangzeb during the reign of Shah Jahan in 1636. The Nizam Shahi territories were divided between the Mughals and the Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur.

Adilabad Fort - Jahanpanah, Delhi

Situated southeast of the adjacent Tughlaqabad Fort, on the opposite side of the Badarpur-Mehrauli road, the relatively unknown Adilabad fort has for long been in the shadows of Tughlaqabad Fort which was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1413), the third of the five dynasties, the combination of which went on to be called the Delhi Sultanate.

Located near the tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, the Adilabad fort (also known as Muhammadabad), on its part, was built by his son Juna Khan, better known as Muhammad bin Tughluq, who succeeded his father in 1325. The Adilabad fort was incorporated into the fortified city of Jahanpanah built by Muhammad bin Tughluq. 

When it comes to bastion and walls Adilabad Fort, though small in size, bears striking resemblance to the Tughlaqabad Fort. 

Delhi Sultanate Quiz

Q.1 Which Delhi Sultanate ruler was killed in Battle?

(A) Ibrahim Lodi

(B) Razia Sultan 

(C) Muḥammad bin Tughlaq

(D) Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq

Answer: A

Ibrahim Lodi was defeated at the First Battle of Panipat (April 21, 1526) by Babur who laid the foundation of Mughal empire in India.

During the battle Ibrahim lost his life, the first and only Delhi Sultan to die in battle. 

Rajon ki Baoli- Lodi Era stepwell

Located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi, Rajon ki Baoli is a four-tiered stepwell featuring elegant arched colonnades, ornate stucco medallions with floral and geometric patterns, and finely carved stone elements.

This baoli (reservoir) was built in the early years of 16^th century during the rule of Lodi dynasty of Delhi Sultanate. With an area of 1,610 square meters, this Baoli descends to a depth of 13.4 meters, with the main tank measuring 23 by 10 meters at its base.

Rajon ki Baoli was recently restored by Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with World Monuments Fund India (WMFI) and TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) Foundation.

How Buddhism Came to Tibet

In ancient times Tibet was not an isolated region as it is today. It lay in the much frequented route from China and Nepal. Buddhism was introduced to Tibet by Srong-tsan Gampo, one of the most illustrious kings of Tibet in the seventh century AD. 

Gampo was married to Princesses Wen Cheng from China and another Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal. It was under the influence of his two wives that he was attracted to Buddhism. In China and Nepal Buddhism had already made its mark. Gampo is credited with introducing in Tibet Indian alphabets. This was the beginning of a new culture and civilisation in that land.

Many Buddhist from Tibet, as in the case of China, came to India. Buddhist monks from Tibet came to study at the universities of Nalanda, Vikramshila and Odantapuri. As a reciprocation, many Indian Buddhist visited Tibet. In the eighth century AD from Nalanda (a famous centre of learning in ancient Bihar) Buddhist monk Padmasambhava went to Tibet and succeeded in converting the land into Buddhism.

The Pala rulers of Bengal (Bihar was included in Bengal at that time) who were great patrons of Buddhism, contributed a lot to reform Buddhism in Tibet. Vajrayana (Vehicle of Thunderbolt) form of Buddhism was established in Tibet in the eleventh century AD as a result of missions sent from the Vajrayana monastery of Vikramshila in Bihar. Vajrayana is synonymous with Tantric Buddhism. Great Buddhist monk Atish Dipankar from Bengal, who visited Tibet in the 11th century during the reign of Nayapala, is still venerated there.

Many Buddhist works have been translated into Tibetan. Tanjur and Kanjur are the two classical Tibetan translations of Buddhist sacred texts .

Talagirishwara temple at Tamil Nadu's Panamalai

Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai / Image Credit

Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu was built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha, who is also credited with  commisioning the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram. 

Bimbisara: First Great Emperor of India

Bamboo garden (Venuvana) at Rajagriha, the visit of Bimbisara / Image Credit

Magadha was one of the 16 great kingdoms or mahajanapadas in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Apart from Asmaka or Assaka, all the other fifteen mahajanpadas were located in Northern India.  Assaka was located in what is now present-day territory comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. 

The most remarkable king of the Haryanka dynasty of the Magadhan kingdom in the 6th century BC was Bimbisara, also known as Srenika. He ascended the throne in c 545 B.C. He was the first Indian ruler who conceived the idea of an extensive empire. 

He embarked on a policy of imperialism by conquering the little kingdom of Anga which had its capital at Champa near modern Bhagalpur in Bihar. In ancient times, the port city of Champa was of substantial commercial significance.

Though Anga was the only conquest of Bimbisara, he strengthened his position by matrimonial alliances with other kingdoms. His marriage with Kosala Devi, a sister of Prasenjit of Kosala kingdom, brought him the part of Kasi (Varanasi). He was also married to Chellana, the daughter of Chetaka, the Licchavis king of Vaishali. Chetaka was the brother of Trishala, mother of Mahavir (founder of Jainism).  Another wife of Bimbisara was Khema who was born into the royal family of Madra in central Punjab. 

Bimbisara's capital was Raajgriha, the modern Rajgir in the Nalanda district of Bihar. A contemporary of Buddha Bibmisara was his follower. He had offered Buddha and his followers his favourite park and pleasure garden, Veluvana (Bamboo Grove) in Rajgriha for their residence.

An energetic ruler, Bimbisara did not tolerate inefficient officials who were summarily dismissed. He is credited with building roads and causeways for the benefits of his subjects.

Bimbisara was in diplomatic contact with Pushkarasarin, the ruler of Gandhara, whose kingdom also included Taxila. One of the 16 great kingdoms or mahajanapadas, Gandhara  region was in what is now northwestern Pakistan, corresponding to the Vale of Peshawar and valleys of Swat rivers.

Bimbisara Jail in Rajagriha in Bihar

/ Image Credit

Bimbisara was deposed, imprisoned and murdered by his son Ajatashatru in about 494 B.C. 

Ruins of the jail where Bimbisara was imprisoned and murdered by his son Ajatashatru 

The Rath Yatra At Jagannath Temple Begins in Puri Today

The Rath Yatra at famous Jagannath Temple began in Puri in Odisha today. This spectacular chariot festival (Rath Yatra) is celebrated for eight days at the temple. This revered annual event is held during Ashadh Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month Asadh. 

Images of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in a procession in three immense chariots. Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 3 km away. After a week, the deities return to the main temple in a similar procession. The construction of the chariots begins in April. 

The present Jagannatha Temple was built by Eastern Ganga ruler Anantavarman Chodagangadeva who had ruled for 72 years from 17 February 1078 to 1150. 

Hawa Mahal

One of the most written-about and photographed of the monuments in the world, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) was built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh who was the grandson of Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.  This iconic landmark is a five-storey ornamental facade of more than five hundred latticed-stone screened windows.

Buddhist Caves of Khambhalida

Buddhist Caves of Khambhalida / Image Credit

Located in a spectacular landscape between Gondal and Virpur in the Rajkot district of Gujarat, Khambhalida is a famous archeological site containing 15 Buddhist caves dating to 4th-5th century AD. Out of these three are in good condition. The caves are cut in the limestone rock nestled in the both sides of a spring. The main cave features a chaitya. Two large size sculptures of the Bodhisattvas on both sides of the chaitya are the masterpieces of Khambhalida.

These Bodhisattvas are: Avalokitesvara (the Lord who Looks Down), also called Padmapani (the Lotus –Bearer) on right and Vajrapani on left. Vajrapani is considered the foe of evil and sin in Buddhism. Both the figures are surrounded by attendants.

The Khambhalida caves were discovered by famous archeologist P. P. Pandya way back in 1958.

 

 

Nelakondapalli- Buddhist Site in Telangana

Erradibba Buddhist Stupa Khammam, Telangana / Image Credit 

22 km from Khammam town in the state of Telangana is situated the famous Buddhist destination of Nelakondapalli which boasts an imposing Maha Stupa. The place, where Buddhism was in a flourishing state in the bygone era, attracted scholars and philosophers from across South Asia in the ancient times.

In the ancient times, Nelakondapalli was known for producing images of Buddha. Excavations at the site in 1970s, 80s and 90s have unearthed viharas, bronze idol of Buddha and other Buddhist relics dating back to 3rd and 4th century AD. A 3rd century Buddha statue from Nelakondapally was exhibited in Early Buddhist Art exhibition at The Met, New York, in 2023. This limestone Buddha statue in Abhaya Mudra  was unearthed during the 1977 excavation in a locality known as Erradibba between Nelakondapalli and Mujjigudem villages in Khammam district. 

Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada / Image Credit

Attractions of the diminutive state of Goa lie not solely in its natural aspects. In addition to the stunning beaches, the state offers attractions that are a magnet for history buffs. Fort Aguada in the sate is one such monument that entices tourists and history lovers alike.  

18 km from Goan capital of Panaji, Fort Aguada offers evocative glimpses of the past. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the fort. Situated on Sinquerim beach, the Aguada fort was built in the early 17^th century by the Portuguese power in India to safeguard their dominions against the foreign invasions.

Portuguese were the common enemy of the English and the Dutch when the last two entered the East. 

Portugal was the first European power to establish factories and trading settlements in India in the early 16th century. Portuguese were followed by Dutch, British, Danes and French. 

The Aguada fort in North Goa takes its name from ‘agua’ meaning ‘watering place” in Portuguese.

Chauhans of Ranthambore

Founded by  Govindaraja IV (son of Prithviraja III) in 1194, Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Ranastambhapura (Ranthambore) was an Indian dynasty.  Govindaraja was succeeded by his son Valhana.  Valhana's son and successor was Prahlada who died of injuries sustained in a lion hunt. 

Vira Narayan was the next ruler who was poisoned to death by Slave sultan Iltutmish. After Vira Narayan, Balhana's younger son Vagabhata ascended the throne. He recaptured Ranthambore during the reign of the Delhi ruler Razia, daughter of Iltutmish. Vagabhata successfully defended the fort against the Delhi Sultanate's invasions in 1248 and 1253 CE dung the reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud who later on became Sultan Balban in Delhi. Vagabhata has been described as a powerful king in Tabaqat-i-Nasiri by Minhaj-us-Siraj. 

Vagabhata was succeeded by his son Jaitrasimha who ruled for 32 years till 1282. After Jaitrasimha Hammira ascended the throne. Hammira was the last and most famous of the Chauhans of Ranthambhor, who was defeated and killed in 1301 in a siege of his capital Ranthambhor by Khilji Sultan Alauddin Khilji (reigned 1296 – 1316).

Hammira Mahakavya by Nayachandra Suri

One of the latest famous important works of Sanskrit literature, Hammira Mahakavya is an epic poem written in 15th-century by a Jain monk Nayachandra Suri. The poem deals with the life of Hammira, the last and most famous of the Chauhans of Ranthambhor, who was defeated and killed in 1301 in a siege of his capital Ranthambhor by Khilji Sultan Alauddin Khilji (reigned 1296 – 1316).

Nayachandra extols Hammira for his generosity to Brahmanas and respect for all schools of Indian philosophy including Jainism. According to the text, he was a patron of the poet Bijaditya.

Gita Govinda By Jayadeva

Gita Govinda 

Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) is a Sanskrit poem written by the 12th century Bengali poet Jayadeva who adorned the court of Lakshman Sena of Sena Dynasty. Divided into 12 sections, Gita Govinda is a series of dramatic lyrics intended for singing, and describes the love of Krishna for Radha and milkmaids. The poem is still sung at the festivals of the Bengali Vaisnavite sects. Its singing is especially prominent at an annual spring fair in the village of Kenduli in West Bengal's Birbhum dıstrict. According to one school of thought, Kenduli in West Bengal is identified as the birthplace of Jayadeva.

Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) Manuscript / Image Credit

Gita Govinda begins with an invocation to the ten incarnations of Vishnu. As a matter of fact, the poem contains one of the earliest lists of incarnations of Vishnu. According to Gita Govinda, Vishnu became Buddha out of compassion for animals in order to put an end to bloody sacrifice.

By the fifteenth century, the Gitagovinda was sufficiently popular in Puri to be incorporated into the ritual of the Jagannatha temple. An inscription located on the left side of the Jayavijaya doorway, written in Oriya language and script and dated A.D. 1499, prescribes the performance of the Gitagovinda in the temple.  

Gita Govinda was translated into English by Orientalist Sir William Jones in 1792 and was published in the Transactions of the Asiatic Society in Calcutta. The poem has also been translated into many Indian languages and many other modern European languages. 

Mughal Empire Quiz

Q.1. Salimgarh Fort, lying adjacent to the Red Fort in Delhi, was built by

(A) Jahangir

(B) Shah Jahan

(C) Islam Shah Suri

(D) Bahadur Shah Zafar

Answer

(C)

Jalal Khan who ascended the throne with the title of Islam Shah after the death of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of Sur dynasty. Islam Shah 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. 

Before India got Independence from the British Rule, prisoners from the Indian National Army (INA) were also imprisoned in this fort from 1945 until India's independence in August 1947. Hence, Salimghar Fort is now renamed as Swatantrata Senani Smarak in memory of the prisoners who died in this fort prison.

Anantavarman Chodagangadeva

Anantadeva Varma or Anantavarman Chodagangadeva was an Odia emperor of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. He was the son of Eastern Ganga ruler Rajaraja I and Rajasundari, the grand daughter of illustrious Chola emperor Rajendra Chola (ruled 1014–1044) and daughter of Virarajendra Chola who ruled from 1065 to 1070. 

Anantavarman Chodagangadeva was so called because he was the son of Rajaraja I (a Ganga ruler) and Rajasundari (a Chola princess). Anantavarman Chodagangadeva is known for starting the construction of famed Jagannatha Temple at Puri. He ruled for 72 years from 17 February 1078 to 1150. 

In 2024 Anantavarman's inscriptions were found in Jami village of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh. Written in both Sanskrit and Telugu these inscriptions were preserved in the premises of Venugopala Swamy, Triuparantaka Swamy and Janardana Swamy temples of Jami, which is 20 km away from Vizianagaram.

Rani ki Vav

Rani ki Vav / Image Credit

Situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, Rani Ki Vav is an intricately designed step well built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati, wife of Bhima-I of the Chalukya (Solanki) Dynasty. It was during the reign of Bhima I (Bhimadeva) that Muslim invader Mahmud Ghazni overran Gujarat and plundered the great temple of Somanath. 

That Bhimadeva’s queen Udaymati caused this step-well to be built has been referred to in a text named Prabandhachintamani, written by the Jain scholar Merutunda, in 1304 AD. In 1986, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had carried out  excavation of this stepwell. An image of Udayamati was recovered during the excavation. 

Rani ki Vav was declared a UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 2014.

Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi / Image Credit

Located at Lepakshi in the Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh, the 16th century Veerabhadra temple is a famous shrine built  by Virupanna, a governor under the Vijayanagar Empire during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya.  

Executed in the Vijayanagar style, the temple, dedicated to the Virabhadra, a form of the god Shiva, is known for the monolithic statue of Nandi, the largest in the country. 

Paintings in the Veerabhadra Temple

Coiled multi-hooded serpent providing an umbrella cover over a Linga

Sembiyan Mahadevi: 10th Century Chola Queen

Sembiyan Mahadevi / Image Credit

Sembiyan Mahadevi was the wife of the Chola ruler Gandaraditya Chola who succeeded to the Chola throne in 955 AD. At the time of Gandaraditya’s reign, the Chola kingdom was reduced to the size of a principality. Gandaraditya, with his wife Sembiyan Mahadevi, is more known for his work in the field of culture and religion. 

Sembiyan Mahadevi was the mother of Uttama Chola who had become the Chola ruler in 973 after the death of the incumbent Chola monarch Parantaka Chola II who succeeded his father Arinjaya who became the ruler after the death of his brother Gandaraditya.

Sembiyan Mahadevi was instrumental in constructing many temples in South India including the Umamaheswarar  at Konerirajapuram, 30min drive from Kumbakonam In Tamil Nadu. Umamaheswarar temple has been the famous abode  of Lord Nataraja.

Mughal Royal Family Quiz

Q.1. Jahangir's eldest son Khusrau was forced to watch as his supporters were put to death by ____________on the Chandni Chowk street in Delhi.

(A) Crucifixion

(B) Boiling 

(C) Hanging

(D) Impalement

Khusrau was the eldest son of the fourth Mughal emperor Jahangir. With the support of the powerful nobles Khusrau eyed the Mughal throne and unfurled a banner of rebellion against his father. After the death of his grandfather, Akbar, in 1605, he was imprisoned in Agra Fort by Jahangir who had succeeded Akbar as the Mughal emperor.

However, though he managed to escape, he was defeated by the Mughal forces in 1606. He was taken to Delhi where he was paraded down Chandni Chowk on an elephant while his supporters were impaled on stakes through their bowels.   

Khusrau was later blinded and was forced into the custody of his brother Khurram (future Shah Jahan) who eventually strangled him at Burhanpur in 1621. (The official cause of his death was colic.)

On the orders of Jahangir, Khusrau was buried in a tomb adjoining his mother's in a garden in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), now called Khusrau Bagh.

Chola Dynasty Quiz

Veeranam Lake / Iamge Source

 Q.1. Which of the following Chola princes died in the battle field?

(A) Rajaditya Chola 

(B) Aditya Karikala, alias Aditya II, 

(C) Rajendra Chola

(C) Parantaka I

Answer: A 

Parantaka I ascended the Chola throne in 907 and ruled for forty-eight years till 955. In 949 he suffered defeat at the hands of Rshtrakuta king Krishna III in the battle of Takkolam. Rajaditya, eldest son of Parantaka I, lost his life in the battle when a well-aimed arrow by Butuga II (Western Ganga king and brother-in-law of Krishna III) struck him while he was on an elephant back. After his success in the battle, Krishna III adopted the title of ‘Conqueror of  Kanchi (Kanchipuram) and Thanjai (Thanjavur)’. 

Rajaditya earned the title ‘Yanaimel Thunjiya Devar’ (The king who died on the back of an elephant) in the Chola inscriptions at Kumbakonam and Thirunageswaram. 

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)  has recently named  its Recruits Training Centre (RTC) as Rajaditya Cholan (RTC) in Thakkolam, in memory of the Chola prince.

Veeranam Lake, located in Cudadalore district of Tamil Nadu, was constructed by Rajaditya Chola.

Vijayanagar empire Quiz

                                                                Lotus Mahal in Hampi.

                        Photograph by John Gollings from the George Michell Collection

Q. 1.- Where are the ruins of Vijayanagar empire found ?

(A) Bijapur

(B) Bidar 

(C) Golconda

(D) Hampi

Q. 2.-  Lotus Mahal is an important monument in___

(A) Pattadakal 

(B) Hampi

(C) Badami

(D) Aihole

Q.3.- Which among the following was the single biggest item of import to the Vijayanagar empire?

(A) Cotton and silk clothes

(B) Spices

(C) Horses

(D) Sugar 

Q.4.- Who was the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?

(A) Krishnadeva Raya

(B) Harihara II, 

(C) Sadasiva Raya

(D) Deva Raya

Q.5, - Who was the author of Madhura Vijayam?

(A)  Shilabhattarika

(B) Gangadevi

(C) Tirumalamba

(D) Vijjika

Answer

Q.1- D

The nucleus of the Vijayanagar kingdom was the city of Vijayanagar, identified with present day Hampi (located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River) in Karnataka. 

Q.2- B

Lotus Mahal or Chitrangini Mahal is an important structure in Hampi.

Q.3- C

Horses was the single biggest item of import to the Vijayanagar empire.

Q.4. - A

One of the greatest kings of India, Krishnadeva Raya raised the Hindu power of Vijayanagar to the zenith of its prosperity and glory.

Q.5. - B

Gangadevi was a 14th-century princess and Sanskrit-language poet of the Vijayanagara Empire of present-day India.She was the wife of Veera kampana, son of the Vijayanagara ruler Bukka Raya I (c. 1360s-1370s).

Madhurā Vijayam was written by the poet Gangadevi. 

Madhurā Vijayam is also named Vira Kamparaya Charitham by the poet. It chronicles the life of Kumara Kampana. The poem describes in detail, the conquest of the Madurai Sultanate by the Vijayanagara Empire

Gangadevi is a key inspiration for Pampa Kampana, the protagonist of Salman Rushdie's novel Victory City.

Satavahana Empire Quiz

Q.1. Which Satavahana ruler had authored Gathasaptashati?

[A]  Gautamiputra Satkarni 

[B] Simuka 

[C] Pulumayi 

[D] Hala

Q.2. The famous book ‘Brihatkatha’ written in Paishachi language was composed by __?

[A] Subandhu

[B] Guṇāḍhya 

[C] Somadeva 

[D] Kshemendra 

Q.3. With whom is Nashik Inscription associated?

[A] Samudragupta

[B] Rudradaman 

[C] Gautamiputra Satakarni

[D] Ashoka

Answer: 

Q.1. -  D

Hāla was a Satavahana king who is traditionally assigned the authorship of Saptasataka (Seven Hundred) or Gathasaptashati, the most important literary work in Prakrit. Written in the Arya metre, Saptasataka is a collection of self contained stanzas full of beauty. 

Q.2. -  B

Brihatkatha is a book written by Gunadhya. Gunadhya was a scholar in the court of Satvahana King Hala. Brihat Katha is written in Paisachi language.

Q. 3. -  C

Nashik prashasti inscription was issued by Gautami Balashri, the mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Gautamiputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of Satavahana Dynasty

Ancient India QUIZ

Q.1.  The Mauryan Emperor Asoka is said to have founded the famous city of______? 

(A) Takshashila 

(B) Vaishali

(C) Pataliputra

(D) Srinagar

Q.2. Consider the statements regarding Buddhist councils

1.The First Buddhist council was convened in Vaishali

2. First Buddhist Council was convened under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of the Haryanka dynasty.

3. Ashvaghosha, who was part of the fourth Buddhist Council, had written Buddhacharita.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) both 1 and 3

(B) both 2 and 3

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Q.1.- D

• Notes: According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Srinagar was built by Ashoka. 
• Pataliputra was the capital of Mauryan Empire.
• Takshashila was the provincial capital of Mauryan Empire.
• Vaishali contains one of the best-preserved of the Pillars of Ashoka. 

Q. 2- B

• The First Buddhist council was convened in Rajgriha.
• The First Buddhist Council was convened under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of the Haryanka dynasty.
• Ashvaghosha had written BuddhacharQita. Asvaghosha was patronised by Kushan king Kanishka. 

Sixteen Mahajanapadas Quiz

 Q.1. In ancient India the only Mahajanapada to be located in south India was 

(A) Kamboja

(B) Asmaka

(C) Matsya 

(D) Surasena

Q.2. The capital of Panchala Mahajanapada was Ahichatra which is in the state of 

(A) Bihar

(B) Punjab

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Gujarat

Q.3. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?  

(1) Gandhara

(2) Avanti

(3) Magadha

(4) Kosala

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 2 and 4

(C) 3 and 4 

(D) 1, 3 and 4

Q.4. Which among the following was the capital of Mahajanapada of Vatsa?

(A) Kausambi

(B) Viratnagar

(C) Kusinara

(D) Rajapura

Q.5. Which of the following Buddhist text has referred to the existence of the 16 Mahajanapadas on the sixth century BC?

(A) Khuddaka Nikaya 

(B) Anguttara Nikaya

(C) Sutta Piṭaka

(D) None of the above

Answer

Q. 1. - B

Asmaka or Assaka is one of the 16 Janapadas that existed in the sixth century BC in ancient India. It included areas in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. 

The capital of the Assaka was Potana or Potali. It is identified with present-day Bodhan in Telangana. 

The ancient Assaka janapada was located along the Godavari river 

Q.2. - C

Capital of Panchala was Ahichatra (also known as Adhichhatra and Chhatravati, near present-day Aonla) tehsil of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh. 

Q.3. - C

A large number of Buddha's sermons were delivered in Sravasti which served as the ancient capital of Kosala during the reign of king Presenajit.

Q. 4. - A

The capital of Vatsa Mahajanapada was the city of Kauśāmbī or Kosāmbī, on the Yamunā river. 

Q. 5. - B

Angutara Nikaya, a Buddhist Pali scripture mentions 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas at the beginning of the 6th century BCE in India. 

Ajivikas and Other Ascetics Quiz

Q.1. Ajivika sect was founded by which of the following?

(A) Ajita Kesakambalin

(B) Pūraṇa Kassapa, 

(C) Makkhali Gosala

(D) Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta 

Q.2. Which among the following rulers is associated with the Sudama Caves in Bihar?

(A) Chandragupta Maurya

(B) Bimbisara

(C) Bindusara

(D) Ashoka

Q.3.  "As long as he lives a man should live happily

And drink ghee, though he run into debt,

For when the body is turned to ashes

How can there be any return to life?”

This rejection of after-life is an aphorism of which of the following sects?

(A). Kapalika sect. 

(B) Sunyavada of Nagarjun

(C)  Ajivikas. 

(D) Charvakas

Q.1. Answer: C

Notes: Ajivikas were a religious sect founded in the 5th century BC by Goshala Maskariputra (Makkhali Gosala), a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavir. 

Q.2. Answer: D

Notes: The 3rd century BC Mauryan emperor Ashoka had dedicated the Sudama cave as evidenced in Brahmi featuring his protocol name (Priyadarsin who brings joy) found at the cave entrance. 

Ashoka had dedicated the caves of Sudama to the "Ajivikas" in the 12th year of his reign. 

Q.3. Answer: D

Notes: Charvaka is an ancient Indian philosophical system which propounded materialism and rejected the notions of an afterlife. According to the Charvaka school of thought, all religious observance and morality were useless. The school encouraged making most of the life and seeking after the happiness that can be found in life.

IT Quiz

Q. 1. The term used to describe an email that is targeting a specific person is known as

(A) Spam

(B) Phishing

(c) Vishing

(D) Spear phishing

 

Q. 2. Machine learning is a subset of which of the following.

(A) Deep learning

(B) Data learning

(C) Artificial intelligence

(D) None of the above

Q. 3. What is the term used when a cybercriminal sends a fraudulent email disguised as being from a legitimate, trusted source?

(A) Trojan

(B) vishing

(C) Phishing

(D) backdoor

 

Q. 4. Who is the father of Machine Learning?

(A) Geoffrey Everest Hinton

(B) Howard Hinton

(C) George Everest

(D) Colin Clarkf

 

Q. 5.Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is used to distinguish one person from another and verify your identity. Which of the following is an example of PII?

(A) ID Number

(B) Date of Birth

(C) Home Address

(D) All of the answers are correct

 

Q. 6.Who is responsible for information security within your company?

(A) IT Security Department

(B) Everyone in the Company

(C) IT Department

(D) Top Management

 

Q. 7. Tailgating is a form of social engineering that allows hackers to:

(A) Watch company’s main gate

(B) Get unauthorized access to restricted area

(C) Watch employees as they leave gates

(D) Follow employee after work

 

Q. 8. Which one of the following can protect a computer from the risk of unwanted emails?

(A) Anti-Spam Software

(B) Anti-Virus Software

(C) Anti-Spyware Software

(D) PC Diagnostic Software

Q. 9. If you want to share a password with someone, what's the best option?

(A) Tell it via the phone

(B) Send a text message

(C) Send it via email

(D) None of the above

 

Q. 10. Which one of the following describes why firewalls are used?

(A) To prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.

(B) To prevent destruction of a computer in the event of a fire.

(C) To enable easy downloading of data from web sites

(D) To detect and disable viruses already on a computer.

Answers

Q.1. Answer: D

Notes: Spear phishing is a phishing method that targets specific persons or targets.

Spear Phishing occurs when a malicious party obtains information about the targeted individuals from websites or social networking sites and customize a phishing scheme to them

Q.2. Answer: C

Notes: Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, and machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence.

Q.3. Answer: C

Notes: Phishing is an email used by cybercriminals who create fraudulent messages that are meant to lure a user into either revealing sensitive or confidential information or installing malware.

Q.4. Answer: A

Notes: Geoffrey Everest Hinton is the father of Machine Learning.

Q.5. Answer: D

Notes: Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that is used to identify a specific individual. All information that directly or indirectly links to a person is considered PII. One's name, email address, phone number, bank account number, and government-issued ID number are all examples of PII.

Q.6. Answer: B

Notes: Everyone bears the responsibility for information security in an organization?

Q.7. Answer: B

Notes: In information security, tailgating is a social engineering technique used by hackers to deceive organization's officials through direct speech or actions in order to gain access into restricted areas. An example of tailgating is when one person tags along with an authorized employee to access a building or pass a certain checkpoint.

Q.8. Answer: A

Notes: Anti-Spam Software has the potential of protecting your computer from the risk of unwanted emails.

Q.9. Answer: D

Notes: A password is personal data which shouldn't be shared with others.

Q.9. Answer: A

Notes: Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.