Category: History

A regional symposium titled “Kuranganayani and Her Significance in Manipuri Society in Assam” was organised by the Sahitya Akademi and Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam to highlight the historical and cultural links between Assam and Manipur. Kuranganayani, daughter of Jai Singh of Manipur, was married to Ahom king Rajeswar Singha. She played a crucial role during … Continue reading Kuranganayani and Assam–Manipur Historical Ties

Scientific studies at an ancient site near Dungtlang village in Champhai district of Mizoram revealed evidence of human habitation spanning several historical periods. Carbon dating findings indicate that the site was inhabited during four distinct phases between 410 AD and 1830 AD, suggesting repeated settlement patterns over centuries rather than continuous occupation. Researchers observed intervals … Continue reading Ancient Human Habitation Evidence Found in Mizoram

In early Buddhist art between the 3rd century BCE and 1st century CE, the empty seat or vacant throne symbolised the spiritual presence and enlightenment of the Buddha without depicting him in human form. Known as the Vajrasana or “Diamond Throne,” the symbol represented the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree at Bodh … Continue reading Vajrasana or Empty Throne in Early Buddhist Art

The term Kshetra-patni meaning “Mistress of the Field” originates in the Atharvaveda. In the agricultural hymns of the text, the term refers either to a female guardian deity associated with agriculture or to the wife who participates alongside her cultivator husband in agricultural and fertility rituals. The concept reflects the important role of women in … Continue reading Kshetra-patni in the Atharvaveda

Veer Gundadhur was a prominent tribal freedom fighter from the Bastar region who led the historic Bhumkal Rebellion of 1910 against British colonial rule. The rebellion emerged as a resistance movement against exploitative colonial policies, interference in tribal administration and suppression of indigenous rights. Gundadhur mobilised tribal communities through guerrilla tactics and grassroots organisation, becoming … Continue reading Veer Shaheed Gundadhur and the Bhumkal Rebellion

Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the historical importance of ancient regions such as Anga, Vanga, Kalinga and Kamarupa, describing them as centres of a powerful eastern civilisation that contributed significantly to India’s cultural and economic strength. Anga, centred around present-day Bhagalpur in Bihar, was an important Mahajanapada. Vanga corresponded to parts of Bengal and Bangladesh, known … Continue reading Anga, Vanga, Kalinga and Kamarupa – Civilisational Legacy of Eastern India

The Haymarket Affair in 1886 marked a turning point in global labour movements, where workers protested for an 8-hour workday. The incident became a symbol of workers’ struggle and sacrifice. Labour Day, observed on May 1, emerged from this movement to honour workers’ contributions and rights. It is marked by rallies and public events worldwide, … Continue reading Haymarket Affair – Origin of Labour Day

The First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526, marked a decisive victory of Babur over the Lodi Sultanate, leading to the establishment of Mughal rule in India. Despite being outnumbered, Babur’s superior strategy ensured success. He employed innovative tactics like Tulughma (flanking manoeuvres) and the Rumi method using field artillery and matchlocks. His … Continue reading 500 YEARS OF First Battle of Panipat (1526) – Military Turning Point

Madman Theory is a strategic doctrine where a leader projects an image of unpredictability and irrationality to influence adversaries. By appearing willing to take extreme actions, including escalation to war, it seeks to create fear and uncertainty, thereby forcing opponents to make concessions. The concept is closely associated with Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger during … Continue reading Madman Theory in International Relations

The 1973 oil crisis was a major global energy shock triggered when Arab members of OPEC imposed an oil embargo on countries supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. It marked the first large-scale use of oil as a geopolitical weapon. The embargo led to a sharp reduction in oil supply and a fourfold increase … Continue reading 1973 Oil Crisis — Global Energy Shock

The second edition of the Freedom Trail commemorates the historic entry of the 14th Dalai Lama into India through Kenzamani in 1959, symbolising courage, faith and resilience. The six-day foot march retraces this significant route from Kenzamani to Tawang, culminating at Pungteng Tse. The initiative goes beyond a physical journey, serving as a tribute to … Continue reading Freedom Trail — Dalai Lama’s Historic Route

Asauca Sara Samgraha is a traditional manuscript written in Sanskrit using the Bamuniya script on paper pulp. It deals with the concept of asauca (ritual impurity) and outlines related religious observances as prescribed in classical Hindu traditions. The authorship of the text remains unknown. The manuscript consists of 14 folios (28 pages) and is preserved … Continue reading Asauca Sara Samgraha — Manuscript of Ritual Practices

The slogan “Abua Raj” (our rule) was originally raised by Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal freedom fighter who mobilised indigenous communities against British colonial oppression. The call symbolised self-rule and the assertion of tribal identity and rights. Recently, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren invoked a similar slogan, “Abua Dishum, Abua Raj,” at a public … Continue reading “Abua Raj” — Legacy of Birsa Munda in Contemporary Politics

Yad Vashem is Israel’s official Holocaust memorial and research institution located on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Established to preserve the memory of the Holocaust (Shoah), it is dedicated to documentation, historical research and global education about the genocide of six million Jews during World War II. The centre honours victims and survivors while promoting awareness … Continue reading Yad Vashem — World Holocaust Remembrance Center

The Aikya Kerala movement emerged during the 1920s as a mass political campaign demanding the unification of Malayalam-speaking regions into a single administrative unit based on linguistic and cultural identity. The movement sought to integrate the British-administered Malabar region with the princely states of Cochin and Travancore, reflecting the broader rise of linguistic nationalism in … Continue reading Aikya Kerala Movement

The recently released film Shatak presents a cinematic account of the century-long journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), tracing its historical evolution, ideological development and major controversies. The 1-hour-52-minute documentary-style film attempts to address debated issues such as the organisation’s role during the freedom struggle, its relationship with Mahatma Gandhi, allegations linked to Gandhi’s … Continue reading ‘Shatak’ Film Explores 100 Years of RSS

The concept of highway airstrips originated during the Cold War, when European countries feared that conventional airbases could be destroyed in the initial stages of a conflict. To maintain operational readiness, nations such as Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, and Poland developed road runways that could function as emergency landing and take-off facilities. Similar experiments were … Continue reading Origin of Highway Airstrips Concept

The government has issued updated rules on the rendition of Vande Mataram at official events and institutions. The guidelines mandate that the full six-stanza version, including the four stanzas previously excluded from official use, be performed at designated government functions and school programmes. The complete rendition lasts about 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Where both … Continue reading New Guidelines on Vande Mataram

Archaeologists have discovered rare remains of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros at the Neolithic site of Molapalayam in Tamil Nadu, far south of the species’ present habitat. The rhino bone fragments, dated to around 1600–1400 BCE, are exceptional as Rhinoceros unicornis is today confined mainly to Assam, eastern India, and Nepal, and is almost absent from … Continue reading Rhino Remains Rewrite Prehistoric India

History / Media & Contemporary India Mark Tully’s first book, Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi’s Last Battle (1985), examined Operation Blue Star and the wider Punjab crisis. Co-authored with journalist Satish Jacob, the work provided a detailed journalistic account of the political, religious and security challenges surrounding the 1984 operation. The book remains an important media narrative … Continue reading Mark Tully’s First Book on Punjab Crisis

History / Archaeology & Human Evolution Rock art dated to at least 67,800 years ago has been discovered on Muna Island in Indonesia, making it the oldest known cave art in the world. The finding pushes back the timeline of artistic expression by early humans. The discovery confirms that early Homo sapiens possessed advanced symbolic … Continue reading Oldest Known Cave Art from Muna Island

Art and Culture / Cinema & Strategic History Border 2 continues the tradition of Indian war cinema by revisiting the 1971 India–Pakistan War through a narrative spanning three battlefronts. Led by Sunny Deol, with Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty, the film blends nostalgia with large-scale military storytelling. A key strategic reference is the … Continue reading Border 2 and the Shakargarh Bulge

Philosophy / Indian Thinkers Swami Vivekananda’s works continue to offer practical and ethical guidance for individuals and leaders navigating modern challenges. In Raja Yoga, he systematised meditation and mental discipline, presenting spirituality as a science of self-mastery. Karma Yoga recast everyday work as a path to freedom, arguing that selfless action purifies the mind and … Continue reading Swami Vivekananda’s Writings as a Guide for Life

History / Art & Culture The Somnath temple’s history spans a thousand years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s raid in 1026. Despite repeated invasions in the medieval period, the shrine was rebuilt multiple times — notably under Kumarapala of the Solanki dynasty and later by the Chudasama rulers — symbolising continuity of faith and resilience. After … Continue reading Somnath Temple — A millennium of destruction, revival and continuity

History / Political Ideologies The Communist Party of India has completed a hundred years, marking a long journey from underground activism to participation in democratic politics. Over the decades, the party has positioned itself as a voice for workers, peasants, and marginalized groups, shaping debates on labour rights, land redistribution, and social justice. Rooted in … Continue reading Centenary of the Communist Party of India

Defence and National Security Operation Trident was a major naval offensive launched by the Indian Navy during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, which was part of the wider India–Pakistan conflict. The operation was carried out on December 4, 1971, shortly after Pakistan conducted pre-emptive air strikes on Indian airfields on December 3, prompting India to … Continue reading Operation Trident (1971)

Ancient History & Environment A new multi-proxy paleoclimate study argues that the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) declined not due to a single catastrophic event, but because of recurring, centuries-long drought cycles. The researchers identified four major drought phases, each lasting over 85 years, with the most intense episode peaking around 1733 BCE, stretching for nearly … Continue reading New Study Links Indus Valley Civilisation Decline to Cyclical Long-Term Droughts

Modern Indian History The Welby Commission (1895), formed to examine Indian revenue and expenditure, included Dadabhai Naoroji as a key member—an acknowledgment of his powerful critique of colonial economic policies. His work before the commission strengthened his theory of the Drain of Wealth and helped expose systemic fiscal exploitation. In 2025, India celebrated the 200th … Continue reading Welby Commission and the Legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji