Vivekananda: Embodiment of Highest Ideas

Narendranath Dutta, better known as Swami Vivekananda, was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886), a poor priest in a temple at Dakhinesvar in Kolkata. Ramakrishna believed in the truth of all religions. A graduate of the Calcutta University, Vivekananda (1863-1902) carried his master’s message throughout India.

Vivekananda was a Vedantist. In 1983 he went to the US and attended the famous “Parliament of Religions” at Chicago. His speech at that august assembly earned him fame and followers throughout the world. New York Herald wrote, “after hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation”

Sir Valentine Chirol characterizes Vivekananda as “the first Hindu whose personality won demonstrative recognition abroad for India’s ancient civilization and of her new-born claim to nationhood.”

  

Harappa's Contact with Mesopotamia

In Harappan civilization, trading activities were in a state of flourish.  That the Harappan traders had contact with Mesopotamia can be gauged from the fact that a number of Harappan seals and objects have been found in Sumer. According to experts, the land of Melukha, which finds mention in Sumerian documents, is, in fact, the land of Harappan civilization.

Lothal, Surkotda and Balakot in Indus civilization were some of the important coastal towns from where the Harappan products might have found their way to Mesopotamia.

From Mesopotamia precious metals and raw materials were exported to Indus civilization. If you take discovery of the Indus seals in Mesopotamian civilization, we can safely come to the conclusion that traders from India actually resided in Mesopotamia. It seems that cotton was the main article of export to Mesopotamia.

Kabir: The Mystic Poet and Great Humanist

Kabir (1440-1510) was a medieval saint who was more modern than our moderns. He was the most radical disciple of Ramanand, the first great Bhakti saint of North India.  A product of Bhakti cult of eclecticism Kabir preached his messages in the 15th century.

Kabir was a great humanist. At the root of his humanism which we may call a form of radicalism can be seen in his love of God. He had the courage to repudiate all our scriptures as worthless.

Nothing can be said with certainty about Kabir’s birth. He grew up in a family of Muslim weavers.

A believer in simplicity, Kabir disparaged ritualism and priest-craft. He disparaged even Sanskrit, the language in which the externals of religion were described.

He writes, “O Kabir, Sanskrit is water of the well, the vernacular is a flowing stream.

Kabir discarded idol-worship, fasting, alms-giving and pilgrimage. He spoke against asceticism which according to him means nothing if it is not accompanied by bhajan (devotional worship). Even yog was to him a form of ritual. For Kabir devotion was the only way to God. Opposing the institution of Sati, which was so popular during Kabir’s times, he disapproved the veiling of women.

There is some element of Sufi influence on Kabir. This is natural because the foundation of his thought is Vednata.

All these things raised Kabir above all notions of community and sect. He contemplated a united India of Hindus and Muslims.

While leading a religious life, Kabir was married to a woman named Loi. His son was named Kamal who was also a great thinker.  

Where was Razia Buried?

Razia Sultan was the first Muslim woman ruler of India and has been praised for her rule by historians. If you are a history buff, chances are that you will have the temptation of visiting Razia Sultan's tomb. However, it is not so easy. There are different versions by the authorities on where the 13th century Sultanate empress's grave is located.  

According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Razia’s tomb is situated on Deli Turqman Gate. Haryana government on the other hand, believes that her tomb is at Siwan near Kaithal and has spent Rs.58 lakh on its restoration.

According to Syed Sadique Ali the tomb built at a height is that of Razia.

Recently, Dr Syed Sadique Ali, a lecturer from Tonk’s government PG College, has claimed that Razia was actually buried in Tonk in Rajasthan. The confusion, according to him, has arisen due to the incorrect translations of famous 13th century historian Minhaj-i-Siraj's book Tabaqat-i-Nasiri by Major H. G. Reverty and H. M. Elliot and John Dowson.

Rudrama Devi: Breaking the Male bastion

Rudrama Devi ranks herself among few female rulers in Indian history.  This ruler belonging to the Kakatiya dynasty of South India gave good account of herself as a wise ruler and even gave her male counterparts a run for their money. 

Known for her benevolence, Rudrama took the male name of Rudradevamaharaja. She ruled the Kakatiya kingdom for nearly 30 years from c. 1259 to 1288, and has been praised in glowing terms by the contemporary Venetian traveller Marco Polo.   

Anushka as Rudrama

A film based on her life is being made by renowned director Gunasekhar. Top south Indian actress Anushka will star as Rudrama Devi in the film. This much awaited film will go on floors in February 2013. Ilayaraaja is composing the music for the film.