Indian History

Map showing the greatest extent of the Chola empire c. 1030 under Rajendra Chola I / Image Source Cholas, one of the three major ruling dynasties of the Tamil Country during the Sangam period (between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D.), were reduced to the dustbin of obscurity by the Pallavas, only to rise once again in the mid 9th century AD and rule for some 300 years the Coromandel Coast and much of south India and as far as Sri Lanka and the Maldive Islands. During this period the Cholas came to be called Imperial Cholas because they managed to bring large swath of territory under their influence.  The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayalaya who is credited to have restored the lost glory of ancient Cholas sometime before in 850 AD. A feudatory of the Pallava rulers, Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur from the Mutharaiyar chieftains who held sway in these parts of Tamil Nadu until the rise of the Chola power in the mid-9th century AD. He made Thanjavur his capital ...

image source Indasala Cave or Indrasala Cave in Bihar is identified with a cave set at the base of a cliff of sheer rocks in the Giriyek Mountain in the midst of a serene and tranquil landscape.  Located to the east of Rajgir,  Indasala Cave is a famed Buddhist site  where the Buddha is said to have delivered one of his most thought provoking sermons recorded in the Sakkapanha Sutta.  According to the Buddhist accounts, Sakka, an inquisitive person who was searching answers for his questions, came to the cave where the Buddha stayed for some time and asked his forty-two questions which were fittingly answered by the Buddha.   It was during his stay at Indasala Cave that the Buddha uttered verses 206, 207 and 208 of the beautiful Pali text, Dhammapada (Verses on the Virtues). Added to this, the Indasala Cave also played host to Buddhasrijnana, the famous commentator on the Guhyasamaja Tantra.  Another prime attraction of the area is the Hansa Stupa, loc...

                                                       Pilak Buddhist Stupa / Image Source Pilak in South Tripura is an archeological site of immense significance to Buddhism which flourished here from the 8th to the 12th century AD. The excavations at the site have unearthed a fair amount of ancient Buddhist sculptures and artefacts including a stupa, statues of Buddha in meditation and Avalokiteśvara. Located close to the Bangladesh border, Pilak is an extension of Buddhist sites of Bangladesh and Burma and formed part of the Samatat kingdom in ancient Bengal. The area has been referred to the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited this area during 637-39 AD.  Today Pilak attracts thousands of Buddhists from across the world and is fast emerging an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in India. You can also find a colo...

                                           Buddhist Monastery ruins, Poompuhar / Image Credit 40 km from Chidambram town in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kaveripattinam, now a fishing village in the Mayiladuthurai district, was a great city and the chief port of the Chola empire in ancient India. It had an artificial harbour which was built by soldiers captured by the great Chola ruler Karikala on a raid on Sri Lanka. The greatness of Kaveripattinam finds mention in the great ancient Tamil epics of Silappathikaram (Jewelled Anklet) and Manimekalai. Manimekalai was written by the poet Seethalai Saathanar, who was a Buddhist. The heroine of Manimekalai, Manimegalai, is the daughter of Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant of the city of Kaveripattinam. Her mother was Madavi, a dancer who became a Buddhist nun on hearing of Kovalan’s death. Manimegalai also ...

Coins of  Alauddin Masud Shah / Image Source After getting the reigning Mamluk sultan Muizuddin Bahram murdered in 1242, the nobles of Delhi Sultanate raised Ala-ud-din Masud, a grandson of Iltutmish through his son Rukn ud-Din Firuz , to the throne. Muizuddin Bahram , another son of Iltutmish, had succeeded the throne after his sister Raziya Sultana. Ala-ud-din Masud proved to be a depraved and licentious ruler. In June 1246 the nobles deposed him and put him into prison, where he was murdered. Ala-ud-din Masud had reigned for four year. In 1246 he was deposed by the nobles and was succeeded to the Slave throne by his cousin Nasiruddin Mahmud (1246–66), grandson of Iltutmish through his son Nasiruddin Mahmud. 

Mysore Palace / Image Credit A fine specimen of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, Mysore Palace is a wonderful feat of engineering which makes it a huge drawcard for millions of tourists every year.  Also known as ‘Amba Palace’, the Mysore Palace was built over a period of 15 years at the beginning of the 20th century at a cost estimated at the time to be around 4 million Indian rupees. A treasure-trove of exquisite sculptures and works of art, the structure features stained glass ceilings and Italian crystal chandeliers.  This Mysore’s most enduring symbol is a testament to the pomp and grandeur of one of India's notably wealthy princely states-  Wadiyar dynasty.   Designed by an English architect, Henry Irwin, the Mysore Palace is at its exuberant best during 10-day Dusshera festival when the stunning palace is illuminated at night by thousands of bulbs. 

Sheesha Mahal,  Mehrangarh Fort / Image credit Emphatically not to be missed while you're in Jodhpur is a visit to the historic Mehrangarh Fort. This impressive fort, whose ramparts rise from a sheer-sided sandstone outcrop, houses several beautiful palaces, temples and gardens. As you enter the crenelated walls of the fort through its arched gates, it is like stepping into the medieval past.    Mehrangarh Fort / Image Credit Crowning a perpendicular cliff, the Mehrangarh Fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD , around which the city grew. Within it, the fort contains the Maharaja's palace, several temples and an extensive garden. Highlights of the fort include Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Hall), Phool Mahal (Flower Hall), Zenana Deodi where the king’s wives spent their time, Chamunda Mataji Temple and a museum.