History

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in Madhya Pradesh are among the 10 oldest prehistoric cave painting sites in the world. Some of these paintings are

Culture, History, Mythology, Places

Chausath Yogini Temple | Mitaoli

The yoginis are at once, both alluring and fearsome. They had special, circular temples built for their worship, the nature of which remained esoteric.

Culture, History, Mythology, Places, Religions

Ahobilam | Andhra Pradesh

Narasimha, the fierce half-lion, half-human form of Vishnu, is usually remembered for his wrath. But did you know there’s also a legend of him

History, Places

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary | Kakinada

About 200 years ago, the city of Kakinada rose from the ruins of a once-thriving seaport of Coringa that was destroyed by one of

Culture, History, Places

The Discovery of Chola Murals | Brihadisvara Temple

In 1931, a history professor decided to explore a narrow corridor on the 1st floor of the Brihadisvara temple. There, under a layer of

Culture, History, Places

The Andhra town that dressed the world | Pedana

What links a quiet Andhra town to the global fashion boom of the 17th century? Kalamkari and Chintz – intricate, handcrafted textiles that

Culture, History

The Story of Indian Scripts – Part 1 | The cave inscriptions of Mamallapuram

Which are the oldest languages and scripts in India? Is there a mother of all scripts, in a land that is as diverse and variegated as India? What similarities or differences exist between the south Indian scripts, and do they have anything in common with the ones used in north India? The first of this two-part video story explores these fascinating questions and more as it traces the evolution of Indian scripts over the last 2500 years.

Culture, History, Religions

Makar Sankranti: A Chronicle of Calendars

Was Makar Sankranti always celebrated on the 14th of January? Why are some festivals celebrated on different dates every year while others have fixed dates? Different cultures have used different calendar systems to map time and consequently, significant events like festivals. What methods did they use, and how accurate were they? And what exactly is the Hindu calendar? This fascinating article explores all this and more!

Culture, History, Places

Sankranti: A Sky Full of Kites

Kite flying is an inseparable part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations, a festival that is celebrated all over India in some form or the other. How old is the tradition of kite flying in the country? And why is it connected to the spring festival of Sankranti?

History, Places

Banking with the Gods

India is home to some of the richest temples in the world. Have you ever wondered how these temples came into such wealth? Here's where powerful Indian kings and their financial management skills played a significant role.

History, People

The Unforgettable Legacy of James Prinsep

Meet James Prinsep, a gifted English scholar who produced a remarkable body of work across a diverse range of fields in the arts and sciences. But perhaps his greatest achievement as far as Indian history is concerned was his work on Brahmi, the ancient Indian script that unlocked the story of Emperor Ashoka.

History, People, Places

Coja Petrus Uscan: The Pious Armenian of Madras

Armenians have been known to travel far and wide in pursuit of trading opportunities for centuries. And India happens to be one of the places that they share a special connection with. Coja Petrus Uscan was one of the prominent members of the Armenian community of Madras in colonial times. A rather remarkable personality, he was known for his fierce loyalty to the British in India. Read on to find out just what made him so extraordinary.

History, People, Religions

The Story of the First Indian Bible

How did a German missionary preach to the locals who spoke neither Danish nor German in the Danish colony of Tranquebar? He learnt Tamil, of course. And he became so proficient at it that he translated the Bible into Tamil. This is the story of Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg, the man who published the first ever translation of the Bible in an Indian language.

History, People, Places

Alai Minar and Alai Darwaza: Alauddin Khilji’s Grand Designs

Like most kings, Alauddin Khilji wanted everlasting fame, and that’s why he commissioned grand monuments like the Alai Darwaza and the Alai Minar, a tower that was meant to be even more magnificent than the Qutub Minar.

History, People, Places

Elihu Yale: The Selfish Philanthropist

Elihu Yale was a British merchant and a Governor of Fort St. George during the British colonial rule in India. He amassed a huge amount of wealth through illegal private trading, and he supported a horrific practice that was prevalent in those times. So why is Yale University, a premier institution, named after him?

Culture, History, People

Raja Ravi Varma – The Royal Indian Artist

Perhaps no Indian artist’s work is as instantly recognisable as Raja Ravi Varma’s. Picture a Hindu goddess in your mind, and chances are that the image is in a Ravi Varma-esque style. Read on to find out more about his journey and legacy.

History

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