Storytrails, Author at Storytrails

Culture, History

The Sengol, the Sceptre and Shifting Symbolism

The Sengol may or may not have a place in contemporary India, but historically it was considered as a symbol of righteousness and justice, to be wielded only by a worthy leader. Interestingly, the British Crown Jewels also include a sceptre – not untainted by controversy. Read on for the story of the Indian Sengol and the British sceptre.

History, People, Places

The Cholas as Hydraulic Engineers

The Cholas were known to be passionate patrons of art and culture - and a number of grand temples in Tamil Nadu stand testament to that. But did you know that they also invested heavily in water resource projects? Some of those waterbodies still exist today.

History, People, Places

The Ice King, the Ice Doctor, and the Ice War: The Story of Frederic Tudor

Thanks to a maverick American, Chennai was importing ice from the US even before refrigeration was invented! This is the cool story of the “Ice King” – Frederic Tudor.

Culture, History, People

The Other Great Rajas of the Chola Dynasty

The Cholas were one of the longest reigning dynasties in Indian history. And while Rajaraja is probably the most well known, he was only one among the many great Chola kings. How well do you know the other Chola emperors and their feats? Read on to find out.

Culture, History, People

Women of the Imperial Chola Era

The women in Kalki Krishnamurthy’s magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan, are feisty, independent and influential. But what about the real-life figures that inspired these fictional characters? What kind of lives did they lead and what was their role in the shaping of Chola history? Read on to know more.

Culture, History, Religions

Following the Lotus Around the World

Why is the lotus held sacred in Hinduism and other religions and cultures around the world? This story explores the significance of the lotus as a sacred and mystical symbol across geographies.

History, People

The Great Wall of Thorns

Tax on salt was the third largest source of revenue for the British Raj. But with the alarming numbers of salt smugglers on the prowl, the British had to find a way to protect their revenue. So what did they do? They built a giant wall of thorns that went all the way from Punjab to Odisha! Read on to know more.

Culture, History, People

The Last Great Queen of Travancore

It was because of the system of matrilineal succession in Kerala that Sethu Lakshmi Bayi became the queen, even though she wasn’t born into the ruling dynasty. But as fate would have it, she was the one who paved the way for the end of the practice. This is the fascinating story of one of the most dynamic rulers of the Travancore kingdom.

Culture, History, Places

Ancient Burial Practices in Tamil Nadu | Keeladi

Burial sites are among the most important sources of information for archaeologists. The excavations at Keeladi, Adichanallur, Korkai and other places in Tamil Nadu have thrown up a host of burial urns, skeletal remains and other grave goods. These finds reveal much about the oldest settlements in south India through the ways in which they dealt with death. This video, the latest in our series around the Keeladi excavations, explores the different burial rites and practices of ancient Tamils and how they help us understand our history and cultures of the past better.

History, People, Places

Chettur Sankaran Nair: The Forgotten Voice of Jallianwala Bagh

On the 13th of April, 1919, the British Army carried out a brutal assault on a large crowd of Indians who had gathered to peacefully protest against British atrocities at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. The massacre was one of the darkest episodes in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. C. Sankaran Nair, a nationalist and a celebrated lawyer, was one of the most vociferous voices against the act. This is his story.

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