-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient IndiaThe ancient history of India is very vast and significant. It laid the foundation of a civilization that is flourishing till today. The history of ancient India dates back to the time when humans set foot in the sub-continent. The rich culture of India is a result of the dynamic historical background. Civilization and beginning of settlements were not limited to just some parts but the whole of India. Early Indian history also has influences from the cultures that surround the country. The settlements in surrounding countries like China, Europe, Central Asia, etc. also influenced the culture in India. The effects are visible even today. In our related sections, you shall find information about the very early instances of human race in the Indian sub continent that gradually developed into a civilization of sorts.
Maurya Empire
One of the greatest empires in the history of India was the Maurya Empire. It approximately lasted from 322 - 185 B.C. Most of India was united as a single entity by the great emperor Chandragupta Maurya. His son Bindusara extended the kingdom of Mauryas over almost the entire sub-continent. The Mauryan Empire had the most powerful military force in ancient India. The greatest emperor of the Maurya dynasty was Ashoka.
Vedic Period
The Vedic Period is one of major milestones in the history of India. It is estimated that the Vedic Period in India lasted from 1500 - 600 B.C. This period brought about a multitude of changes in the lifestyle of people. The Vedic age is broadly classified into two categories: Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic age. There was development in agricultural practices, worshipping patterns, philosophical outlooks, etc.
16 Mahajanapadas
Alexander's Invasion
Gautama Buddha
Buddhism
Chalukya Dynasty
Chola Dynasty
Epic Age in India
Gupta Empire
Harshavardhan
Indus Valley Civilization
Magadha Empire
Lord Mahavira
Pallava Dynasty
Prehistoric India
Tripartite Struggle
Ancient India Art
Ancient India Culture
Ancient India Facts
Ancient Indian Food
Ancient India Geography
Ancient India Gods
Ancient India Government
Ancient India Religion
Ancient India Timeline
Women in Ancient India
Sangam Age
Jainism
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Cultural History of India
India has a rich cultural history and continues to preserve it beautifully. India has accepted gracefully the good qualities of different religions which led to the rise of many different cultures in this mystical sub-continent. Different rulers and empires came here and ruled and left behind a rich legacy of their cultural heritage. The Indian cultural history is very rich and has carved a niche of its own. It continues to inspire other cultures of the world. Every state in India has a culture of its own and even then they all stand unified and form one single culture of India. Read about the cultural history of India.
Many religions took birth India like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc. These religions influenced not just our country but nations all over the world. With Islamic rule in India, Islam became one of the religions in India. Ancient architectural specimens and monuments of India stand testimony to the confluence of different religions in India. The Hindus and Muslims took inspiration from each other and formed new architectural styles like rounded domes and construction of pillars.
Art developed right from the Stone Age when early man used to draw animal figures and paint them in caves. This developed to a much more refined formed of painting as time went by like decorating the front porch of the house. This custom is still followed in modern India in many homes in the southern regions. Music and dance developed from a crude form to a beautiful refined form and took the form of present classical music and dance forms like Carnatic, Hindustani, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, etc. With the development of regions and states, they developed their own folk dances that were exclusive to one particular region.
There was great advancement in literature since ancient times. India has been the birth land of great thinkers, philosophers and scholars. This is evident in great literary works like Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. which are considered no less than holy epics. With time, languages developed and many great literary masterpieces and plays were written like Shakuntalam, Shilpadhikaram, etc. With the culmination of different religions, different cuisines came into the limelight that are now considered to be the traditional food of India. The culture of India is truly the blend of some of the best cultures of this world and is one of those very few cultures that are surviving since ancient times.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Economic History of India
Indian economic history is all about the development of the economy from ancient times to the present. The economic history of India can be traced back to the time of ancient Indus Valley civilization. Humans learned how to settle at one place instead of being nomads. Due to the fertile lands, they learnt how to cultivate and do farming. Slowly they made farming tools, domesticated animals, invented the plough, etc. With the discovery of metals, tools were made out of metals like copper, bronze, tin, etc. Read here about the economic history of India in brief.
The Indus Valley Civilization had a flourishing economy with the introduction of agriculture. Very soon, they found out trade routes and developed trade links with Middle East countries. The main economic activity of people during the Vedic Age was agriculture. With time, they started to go towards urbanization and many urban centers started to develop in the north of India. This boosted economic growth and India started to have trade relations with the Roman Empire and South East Asia.
With further developments in agriculture, small industries like textile, crafts and food processing started to develop. Many other small employees and workers came into light like barbers, carpenters, doctors , goldsmiths, weavers, etc. By this time, coins came into use and were used for purchasing materials. In the villages, barter system was widely prevalent. As time went by,caste system came into existence and the profession of a person was decided by the caste in which he was born. This was much prevalent during the rule of Indian kings and princes. This formed a hierarchy in the society which became stronger by the day.
With foreign invasions like that of Turks and Mughals in India, the wealth of India was plundered time and again. Yet, India never ran out of royal riches and was known as the Golden Bird. This is what attracted foreign rulers to come and establish their kingdoms in India. The wealth was accumulated by exporting exotic items like spices, Kashmiri shawls, textile and handicrafts, muslin, etc. in exchange for gold and silver. During the medieval age, the Mughals and other emperors encouraged the growth of small scale industries like pottery and handicrafts.
The Europeans came to India in the 16th century to develop their trade prospects with India. They completely changed the face of trade and commerce in India. The Europeans were interested basically in spices, ethnic handicrafts, cotton etc. Among the various European nations, the British proved themselves to be the strongest and broke the Dutch monopoly of trade in India. The British got political control and began to exploit Indian resources and India was drained of its wealth badly. The industrial infrastructure was in a pathetic state after 200 years of British rule in India. Small scale industries suffered badly and were facing near extinction.
Independence was gained after much efforts and sacrifices by great people. After independence India began to plan carefully its needs and resources. Planned economic development was the call of the hour. The focus was on developing large scale and heavy industries. The state controlled the economic policies of development. A blend of liberalization, privatization and globalization was pursued to achieve desired results. The economy was essentially mixed in nature with a blend of capitalism and socialism that has led India to the present state.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
India TimelineIndia has a rich historical legacy. This mystical country has seen the earliest civilizations and has preserved evidence of the same till today. Many cultures came and left behind their impact on Indian history. India was invaded many times by foreign rulers and has preserved their cultural heritage too. One finds a cultural and historical mish mash of various ethnicities and religions in India co-existing very harmoniously and beautifully. This timeline of Indian history tries to capture the vast history of India in a few pages. So check out the ancient India time line.
Ancient India Timeline
3000 BC: Beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization
2500 BC: Establishment of the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley
2000 BC: Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
1600 BC: India is invaded by the Aryans from the west who drive away the Dravidians
1100 BC: With the discovery of iron, Indo-Aryans start using iron tools
1000 BC: One of the earliest Holy Scripture, Rig-Veda is composed
750 BC: Indo-Aryans rule over 16 Mahajanapadas (16 Great States) in northern India, from the Indus to the Ganges
700 BC: Beginning of the caste system, with the Brahmans taking the highest class
600 BC: The Upanishads are composed in Sanskrit
543 BC: Bimbisara of Bihar conquers the Magadha region in the northeast
527 BC: Prince Siddhartha Gautama attains enlightenment and becomes the Buddha
500 BC: The ascetic prince Mahavira establishes Jainism in northern India
493 BC: Bimbisara dies and is succeeded by Ajatashatru
461 BC: Ajatashatru expands the Magadha territory and dies shortly afterwards
327 BC: Alexander the Great of Macedonia invades the Indus valley, fights the famous battle with Porus
304 BC: Magadha king Chandragupta Maurya buys the Indus valley and establishes the Maurya dynasty with Pataliputra as the capital
300 BC: Ramayana, a famous epic is composed
300 BC: Chola dynasty establishes his kingdom over southern India with capital in Thanjavur
290 BC: Chandragupta's son Bindusara, extends the empire to the Deccan region
259 BC: Mauryan emperor Ashoka converts to Buddhism and sends out Buddhist missionaries to nearby regions
220 BC: Maurya dynasty expands to almost all of India
200 BC: Mahabharata, another famous epic is composed
200 BC: Andhras occupy the east coast of India
184 BC: Maurya dynasty ends and marks the beginning of Sunga dynasty
150 BC: Patanjali writes the "Yoga Sutras"
100 BC: Bhagavata Gita is composed
78 BC: End of Sunga dynasty
50 AD: Thomas, an apostle of Jesus, visits India
50 AD: The first Buddhist stupa is constructed at Sanchi
200 AD: The Manu code puts down the rules of everyday life and divides Hindus into four major castes (Brahmins, warriors, farmers/traders, non-Aryans)
300 AD: The Pallava dynasty is established in Kanchi
350 AD: The Sangam is compiled in the Tamil language in the kingdom of Madurai and the Puranas are composed
380 AD: Two giant Buddha statues are carved Buddhist monks in the rock at Afghanistan
390 AD: Chandra Gupta II extends the Gupta kingdom to Gujarat
450 AD: Kumaragupta builds the monastic university of Nalanda
499 AD: Hindu mathematician Aryabhatta writes the "Aryabhattiyam", the first book on Algebra
500 AD: Beginning of Bhakti cult in Tamil Nadu
528 AD: Gupta Empire sees a downfall due to continuous barbaric invasions
550 AD: Chalukyan kingdom is established in central India with capital in Badami
600 AD: Pallava dynasty governs southern India from Kanchi
606 AD: Harsha Vardhana, a Buddhist king builds the kingdom of Thanesar in north India and Nepal with capital at Kannauj in the Punjab
625 AD: Pulikesin extends the Chalukyan Empire in central India
647 AD: King Harsha Vardhana is defeated by the Chalukyas at Malwa
650 AD: Pallavas of Kanchipuram are defeated by the Chalukyas
670 AD: Pallavas establish themselves at a new city at Mamallapuram
750 AD: Gurjara - Pratiharas rule the north of India and the Palas establish themselves in eastern India
753 AD: Rashtrakutas, a Chalukya dynasty, expands from the Deccan into south and central India
775 AD: Chalukyas defeat the Rashtrakutas and move the capital at Kalyani
800 AD: Many kingdoms are created in central India and in Rajastan by Rajputs
846 AD: Cholas get back their independence from the Pallavas
885 AD: Pratihara Empire reaches its peak and extends its empire from Punjab to Gujarat to Central India
888 AD: End of the Pallava dynasty
985 AD: Rajaraja Chola extends the Chola Empire to all of south India and constructs the temple of Thanjavur
997 AD: Mahmud of Ghazni raids northern India
998 AD: Mahmud of Ghazni conquers the area of Punjab
1000 AD: Chola king Rajaraja builds the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur
1019 AD: Mahmud Ghazni attacks north India and destroys Kannauj, which is the capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire
1050 AD: Chola Empire conquers Srivijaya, Malaya and the Maldives
1084 AD: Mahipala raises the Palas to the peak of their power
1190 AD: Chalukya Empire is split among Hoysalas, Yadavas and Kakatiyas
Medieval India Timeline
1192 AD: Mohammad of Ghori defeats Prithvi Raj, captures Delhi and establishes a Muslim sultanate at Delhi
1206 AD: The Ghurid prince Qutub-ud-din Aibak becomes the first sultan of Delhi
1250 AD: Chola dynasty comes to an end
1290 AD: Jalal ud-Din Firuz establishes the Khilji sultanate at Delhi
1325 AD: The Turks invade and Muhammad bin Tughlaq becomes sultan of Delhi
1343 AD: The southern kingdom builds its capital at Vijayanagar (Hampi)
1345 AD: Muslim nobles revolt against Muhammad bin Tughlaq and declare their independence from the Delhi sultanate. The Bahmani kingdom is established in the Deccan.
1370 AD: Vijayanagar kingdom takes over the Muslim sultanate of Madura in Tamil Nadu
1490 AD: Guru Nanak Dev Ji establishes Sikhism and the city of Amritsar
1497 AD: Babur, a ruler of Afghan, becomes the ruler of Ferghana and establishes the Mughal dynasty in India
1530 AD: Babur dies and his son Humayun succeeds as the next Mughal emperor
1540 AD: Babur's son Humayun loses the empire to Afghan Leader Sher Shah and goes into exile in Persia
1555 AD: Mughal king Humayun comes to fight Sher Shah and regains India
1556 AD: Humayun dies and his son Akbar becomes one of the greatest rulers of India
1605 AD: Akbar dies and is succeeded by his son Jahangir
1611 AD: East India Company is established in India by the British
1617 AD: Jahangir's son, Prince Khurram receives the title of Shah Jahan
1627 AD: Shivaji establishes the Maratha kingdom
1631 AD: Shah Jahan succeeds Jahangir and builds the world famous Taj Mahal
1658 AD: Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb seizes power
1707 AD: Aurangzeb dies, destabilizing the Mughal Empire
Modern India Timeline
1751 AD: Britain becomes the leading colonial power in India
1757 AD: British defeat Siraj-ud-daulah at the Battle of Plassey
1761 AD: Marathas rule over most of northern India
1764 AD: Britain expands to Bengal and Bihar
1769 AD: A famine kills ten million people in Bengal and the East India Company does nothing to help them
1773 AD: Warren Hastings, governor of Bengal establishes a monopoly on the sale of opium. Regulating Act passed by the British.
1793 AD: Permanent Settlement of Bengal
1799 AD: British defeat Tipu Sultan
1829 AD: Prohibition of Sati by law
1831 AD: Administration of Mysore is taken over by East India Company
1848 AD: Lord Dalhousie becomes the Governor-General of India
1853 AD: Railway, postal services & telegraph line introduced in India
1857 AD: First War of Indian Independence also known as Revolt of 1857 or Sepoy Mutiny
1858 AD: British Crown officially takes over the Indian Government
1877 AD: Queen of England is proclaimed as the Empress of India
1885 AD: First meeting of the Indian National Congress
1899 AD: Lord Curzon becomes Governor-General and Viceroy of India
1905 AD: The First Partition of Bengal takes place
1906 AD: Muslim League is formed
1912 AD: The Imperial capital shifted to Delhi from Calcutta
1919 AD: The cruel Jallianwalla Bagh massacre takes place due to protests against the Rowlatt Act
1920 AD: Non-cooperation Movement launched
1922 AD: Chauri-Chaura violence takes place due to Civil Disobedience Movement
1928 AD: Simon Commission comes to India and is boycotted by all parties
1930 AD: Salt Satyagraha is launched as an agitation against salt tax. First Round Table Conference takes place
1931 AD: Second Round Table Conference takes place and Irwin-Gandhi Pact is signed
1934 AD: Civil Disobedience Movement is called off
1942 AD: Cripps Mission is formed; Quit India Movement is launched; Indian National Army is formed.
3rd June 1947 AD: Lord Mountbatten's plan for partition of India comes into light
15th August 1947 AD: Partition of India and Independence from the British rule
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
16 MahajanapadasIn ancient India, a number of kingdoms emerged during the Vedic Age that were spread across the Indo-Gangetic plain. These kingdoms were also called as republics and 16 of them were regarded the greatest of all. These 16 kingdoms were known as the 16 Mahajanapadas. These 16 Maha Janapadas are mentioned in the ancient literature and scriptures. The term Maha Janapada actually means "great country" and is derived from Sanskrit. The sixteen mahajanapadas rose before the start of Buddhism in India. Though these places were tribal settlements initially, roughly by 600 B.C they grew into bigger political entities by grabbing land. The sixteen mahajanapadas are given here in detail.
Anga
The kingdom of Anga is mentioned in the Atharva Veda and was located roughly at the site of the present day Bihar and some parts of West Bengal. On the north was River Ganga and it was separated from the Magadha by River Champa. Anga was one of the most flourishing cities and was an important center of trade and commerce. It was regarded as one of the six principal cities of early India.
Assaka / Ashmaka
Assaka, also known as Ashmaka was a kingdom that was located in the south of India. During the time of Buddha, this tribe was located on the banks of river Godavari. The capital city of Assaka was known as Potana. It was situated in central India and extended till southern India. It is estimated that Assaka was situated roughly at the place where modern day Maharashtra is located.
Avanti
Avanti was a very important kingdom located in Western India and was considered to be one of the four important monarchies during the time Buddhism began in India. River Vetravati used to flow right through Avanti thus dividing it into north and south provinces. Avanti was located roughly at the place where the state of Madhya Pradesh is located now. Avanti was an important center of Buddhism and later became a part of Magadhan Empire.
Chedi / Cheti
There were two different settlements of the Chedis, also known as Cheti. One was in the mountainous regions of Nepal while the other was located near River Yamuna. The southern boundaries of Chedi went till the banks of River Narmada. The Chedis are mentioned in Rig Veda, which is regarded as the oldest scripture. This means that Chedis were prevalent here since a long time.
Gandhara
The Gandharas established themselves since the Vedic Age on the banks of River Kubha till the River Indus. With time, they crossed Indus and expanded their territory into Punjab. The Gandharas were very aggressive in nature and were masters of the art of warfare. It is said that this kingdom was founded by the son of Aruddha known as Gandhara.
Kamboja
Kamboja was said to have been located on either sides of the Hindukush. In early scriptures and literature, Kamboja is mentioned along with Gandhara, Darada and the Bahlika quite a number of times. The Kambojas were supposed to have both Indian and Iranian similarities.
Kasi
The Aryans who had settled around Varanasi were known as Kasis. The city was flanked by the rivers Varuna and Asi from which the place derives its name. Kasi was the most powerful kingdom of the sixteen Janapadas before the rise of Buddhism. During the rise of Buddha, it was converted into Kosala. This place is mentioned as Kausika / Kausaka in the Matsya Purana.
Kosala
Kosala was located around 70 miles to the north west of present day Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. It was flanked in the south by River Ganga, in the north by the Himalayas and in the east by the River Gandak. The ruler was called king Prasenjit who was succeeded by his son Vidudabha. During his son's reign, Kosala was combined with Magadha. The three chief cities of Kosala were Ayodhya, Saketa and Sravasti.
Kuru
The origin of the Kuru clan can be traced to the Puru - Bharata family. Some of them were settled in central India and some were living beyond the Himalayan ranges. It is said that the founder of Kururashtra in Kurukshetra was the son of Samvarsana called Kuru. The Kurus were known for their profound wisdom and sound health. The Kurus switched to republic form of government from monarchy during 5th Century B.C.
Machcha / Matsya
The kingdom of Matsya or Machcha is said to have comprised the region of the present day Jaipur in Rajasthan along with Alwar and Bharatpur. The founder of this kingdom was king Virata and the capital of this kingdom was named Viratanagara after him. The Matsya once formed a part of the Chedi kingdom as there are evidences that show that this place was ruled by the king of Chedi.
Magadha
The Magadhas are referred to in the Atharva Veda. According to the early scriptures, the Magadhas were not fully Brahmins. Thus, they were loathed at and were spoken of in contempt. Except for King Pramaganda, no other ruler is mentioned in the Vedas. It is stated in the Mahabharata that Magadha came into the limelight under the king Bimbisara and later under his son Ajatasatru. It was one of the chief empires of India during those times. The kingdom of Magadha was situated roughly where the present day Bihar is located.
Malla
Most of the scriptures of the Jains and Buddhists mention the Mallas. Their tribe was supposed to be quite powerful and they lived somewhere towards the Eastern India. The Mallas had a republic form of society and their dominant territory comprised of nine provinces. Two of these nine provinces (Pava and Kusinara) gained much importance in due course of time when Buddha came over here and took his last meal before breathing his last at Kusinara.
Panchala
The Panchalas were located in the north of India and had their province to the east of the Kurus. They were located between the Himalayan ranges and river Ganga. One can say that it was located roughly at the place where the modern day Uttar Pradesh is located. The Panchalas were originally monarchial in nature and later transformed to the republican form of government during the 5th Century B.C. They are mentioned in Kautilya's Arthashastra as following the constitution of the king.
Surasena
The location of the Surasena was around the west side of river Yamuna and had its capital city at Mathura. The king of Surasena, Avantiputra played a vital role in promoting Buddhism in his kingdom. He was one of the chief disciples of Buddha and aimed at spreading his knowledge and wisdom all through his kingdom. The capital city of Mathura was an important center for the worship of Lord Krishna. With time, the kingdom of Surasena was annexed by Magadha Empire.
Vajji / Vriji
The Vajji or Vriji comprised of eight to nine allied races and this kingdom became an important center of cultural and political activities. It was essentially located in northern India. Out of the nine races, the Licchhavis, the Vedehans, the Jnatrikas and the Vajjis were the most important. The Licchhavis were an independent clan and their capital was called Vaishali. It was an important center of Buddhism and the headquarters of the powerful republic of Vajjis. Buddha is supposed to have visited Licchhavis on many occasions. As time passed, the kingdom of Licchhavis was conquered by the king of Magadha, Ajatasatru.
Vamsa / Vatsa
Considered to be an offshoot of the Kurus, the kingdom of Vatsa or Vamsa was roughly situated at the location of modern day Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. The capital city was known as Kaushambi, which was a prosperous city. A number of rich merchants dwelled here. It was an important gateway for goods and people coming from the North West and south. The ruler of Vatsa was known as Udyana and he was a very powerful ruler. He became a follower of Buddha and adopted Buddhism as the religion for his kingdom.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Alexander's Invasion
Regarded as one of the greatest conquerors of all times, Alexander the Great was the King of Macedonia. He had an ambition to conquer the entire world. After conquering Persia, his forces moved towards the Indian sub-continent. It is estimated that Alexander lived from 356 B.C to 323 B.C. Though Alexander's invasion affected only the North Western parts of India, the event marks an important landmark in the history of India. Here is a brief write up on India's invasion by Alexander.
India was not unknown to the Greeks before the invasion by Alexander. Many Indian territories were ruled by the Persians who gained revenue from here in the form of gold. Herodotus, the Greek historian was aware of the riches that India had since he knew about the revenue collected by the Persian Empire. Roughly around 326 B.C Alexander decided to enter India from the northern frontiers. He crossed the Indus River and met King Ambi in Taxila. The king bowed down to the supremacy of Alexander and did not show any resistance.
His greatest battle was with King Porus, who was considered to be a very powerful Indian ruler during that time. The army of Greeks and Porus clashed during a fierce thunderstorm near River Hydaspes. Porus put up strong resistance against the Greeks. It was so fierce and violent that even Alexander was impressed by chivalry and power of Porus. It was during this battle that the faithful horse of Alexander got injured and died. Alexander named a city Buckephalia after the name of the horse Bucephalus. Ultimately Porus was defeated and was captured. But Alexander was impressed with the heroic Porus and decided to let him go and return his kingdom.
Alexander wanted to cross the Ganges River next but his army and deputies advised him otherwise. They told him to leave India since it was not easy to cross the river Ganges. Moreover, they had heard that the Nandas at the other side of Ganges were very powerful and possessed elephants and a gigantic army of soldiers. Thus, it would become difficult to defeat them. The Greeks were also becoming homesick and wanted to return. Halfheartedly, Alexander had to return due to the increasing pressures on him. Thus, the army of Alexander arranged and built ships in order to reach the ocean and take the oceanic route westwards to Greece. Half of the army came on the ships and the rest traveled along the coast.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha is considered to be the epitome of wisdom and knowledge. His life is an inspiration for many people who can't cope up with the increasing pressures of today's fast paced life. The teachings of Buddha talk about realizing your inner self and finally the attainment of Nirvana or total bliss. It's believed that Gautama Buddha was born in 563 B.C. in Lumnini (today in Nepal). Gautam Buddha forms an important character in the history of ancient India.
King Suddhodana, the ruler of Sakhya clan was the father of Buddha. His mother's name was Maya. He was born in a small grove at a place called Lumbini while his mother was on her way to her maternal home for the delivery of the child. It is said that the birth of the Buddha took place among many auspicious signs. The Gods themselves made preparations for the birth of the child.
Flowers bloomed on the tree under which he was born, gentle rains calmed the weather, light music filled the air and calm smells filled the atmosphere. When Buddha was born, his body is said to have borne thirty two auspicious signs or birthmarks, which indicated that his future was going to be very bright. His mother died seven days after giving birth to him and he was brought up by her sister named Mahaprajapati who became his foster mother.
The king made preparations for an elaborate celebration after he was born. The baby was named Siddhartha, which means someone who accomplishes his aims. During the grand celebrations, great sages were called to predict the baby's future. The astrologers predicted that the child had a bright future and would be known throughout the world either as a powerful emperor or a revered monk who would leave his house and other worldly pleasures to become a holy and enlightened person.
The king was worried about the prediction about his son becoming a monk and asked what would make him turn into a monk. The astrologers predicted that four signs would prompt him to leave his worldly possessions and seek salvation. These would be an old crippled man, a diseased man, a corpse and a monk. The king grew worried about this prediction and made sure that his son never went out of the palace and brought him everything he wanted inside the palace premises.
Siddhartha got married at the age of sixteen to a girl named Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula. One day, he somehow managed to bribe a servant to take him out of the palace. As predicted by the astrologers, he saw a crippled old man, a diseased man, a corpse and finally a peaceful monk. The first three disturbed him to a great extent and made him realize that life and beauty were not permanent. However, when he saw the serene and calm on the face of the monk, he made a decision that he would leave all his worldly possessions and pursue a saintly life.
Siddhartha left his family, palace, power and all worldly possessions for pursuing a saintly life. He shaved his head, put on yellow robes and proceeded towards the capital of Magadha known as Rajgriha. He then went towards the hills located near this kingdom where hermits were supposed to live in caves. He requested a hermit named Alamo Kalamo to guide and instruct him. After some time Siddhartha decided to go to another hermit for the pursuit of spirituality. He was determined to practice extreme forms of Yogic austerities to attain inner bliss. He stopped taking food entirely and became very weak by this constant torture.
One day as he was trying to meditate, some dancing girls passed by the place where he was sitting. The song they were singing suddenly made Siddhartha realize that self torture is not going to help and staying away from food does not mean the attainment of true happiness. Thus, he began to eat again and gave up extreme forms of meditation and other practices. He realized that inner peace can be attained only if the body and mind is happy and free of any forms of pain or torture.
He sat in deep meditation under the shadow of a large peepal tree, which later came to be known as Bo-tree or tree of wisdom. He just wanted to attain full illumination and was even ready to give up his life for the sake of enlightenment. He was distracted by Maya (worldly pleasures) many times but he did not get allured and remained adamant in his position. Finally, he emerged victorious and attained full enlightenment. He was so ecstatic that he danced in a state of trance for seven days. When he gained his normal state of consciousness, his face shone with divine glow and his heart was filled with compassion and happiness.
Buddha (Enlightened One) traveled far and wide disseminating the knowledge he had gained. He preached the information and benefits he had gained from the enlightenment. He traveled to Varanasi once and gave a discourse to an audience that comprised of people from all walks of life. His preaching made an impact on everyone present there and a rich man known as Yasa converted to Buddhism. The next in line were Yasa's parents. Thousands followed thereafter and adopted Buddhism as not just their religion but a way of life. Lord Buddha is supposed to have died at the age of 80 due to some error in his diet.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
BuddhismThe socio-economic conditions during the 6th century BC led to the rise of many heterodox sects in India and Buddhism was one of them. Buddhism forms an important part of Indian history and culture. Buddhism is a religion that is based on Dharma and Philosophy. It was started by Siddhartha Gautama more popularly known as Lord Buddha. The word Buddha essentially means the "Awakened One". The teachings of Buddha have been preserved till date and are essentially in Sanskrit and Pali language. The history of Buddhism dates back to almost 2500 years and was established around the 5th Century B.C. In this section, we give an introduction to Buddhism and cover the important aspects of Buddhism religion.
A Buddha is basically described as a person who "wakes up" from the "sleep of ignorance". This is done through constant efforts such as meditation and abstaining from materialistic pleasures. The person realizes the true meaning of reality without any help from others and lives the rest of his life preaching knowledge for the benefit of others. A person who wants to attain inner bliss and true happiness should stay away from all worldly pleasures and do meditation in order to tame the mind. Nirvana can be attained by following the Four Noble Truths that lead you to the Eight Fold Path of nirvana.
The Four Noble Truths
To attain inner happiness and bliss, one must first realize the Four Noble Truths that explains the true meaning of life. The Four Noble Truths are:
Life means suffering
Origin of suffering is attachment
Cessation of suffering is attainable
Path to the cessation of suffering is Eight Fold Path
A person who realizes the meaning of the Four Noble Truths is closer to the attainment of Nirvana. On realizing the meaning of life, it is easier to accept reality and strive towards attaining a stage that is called Nirvana. The Four Noble Truths assert that suffering exists in the world. The cause of human suffering is attachment and the inability to let go of worldly possessions. However this suffering is temporary and can be terminated. The path that leads to the termination of suffering is the Eight Fold Path.
The Eight Fold Path
The Eight Fold Path basically explains the way to end suffering and attain Nirvana. It is also known as the Middle Way as it lies somewhere between total intemperance and total asceticism. It is about seeking the bliss through a way that makes not just the soul but also the body relaxed and peaceful. The Eight Fold Path is as follows:
Right View
The first aspect of the Eight Fold Path is right view and perception. The ability to see through things clearly will help you in instilling the right thought and right action.
Right Intention
The right view leads to the right intention. This basically refers to preferences and decisions. This is the first step towards performing right action and deeds. Right intention can be explained as the feeling of dedication towards self improvement.
Right Speech
Right speech is known as the first principle of moral and ethical conduct. The right speech is an integral part of the Eight Fold Path. Words should be chosen carefully so as not to cause pain to another soul. Words are crucial as they can either make or break relations. Positive, warm and friendly words are the foundation of right speech.
Right Action
Right action basically refers to the deeds and bodily actions that are performed by an individual. These actions should not be done with wrong intentions or with a hurtful thought. The actions that you do should bring about a positive effect or change in the life of an individual.
Right Livelihood
The right kind of livelihood means that one should earn a living through ethical means, hard work and the right way. One should not indulge in wrong means of earning money like taking lives, selling animals and human trafficking, selling intoxicants or alcohol, etc.
Right Effort
The right effort is what makes all other paths worthwhile. Without effort nothing is achievable in life. Positive effort takes a person towards positive goals in life while distracted efforts take a person towards negative goals. The right kind of effort makes every action and word meaningful and worthwhile and brings you closer to Nirvana.
Right Mindfulness
The process of conceptualization with the help of active observation and controlled thoughts is known as right mindfulness. Perception induces thought and this thought is interpreted into experiences and actions. The ability to see things in a clear perspective with transparent consciousness is what right mindfulness is all about.
Right Concentration
The final principle of the Eight Fold Path is the right concentration. The mind should be concentrated on positive forces so as to achieve positive results. If used properly, concentration of the mind is very powerful. People who practice Buddhism meditate to focus their minds in order clear it from clutter (unwanted thoughts). This concentration helps to see things in a clearer perspective and accept reality the way it is.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Chalukya Dynasty
During the 6th and the 8th century, the empire that ruled the Deccan region of India was the Chalukya dynasty. After fading away for some time, they came back to power during the 10th century and ruled till 12th century. The Chalukyas are essentially divided into three broad categories:
Eastern Chalukyas: Ruled from the Vengi region
Western Chalukyas: Ruled from the Badami region
Later Western Chalukyas: Ruled from Kalyani region
The most famous rulers in the empire of the Chalukyas were Pulakesin I and Pulakesin II. The ruler Pulakesin II is said to have defeated emperor Harshavardhana in a battle on the banks of the River Narmada. He also waged a battle against Mahendravarman, the Pallava ruler and conquered him and his kingdom.
The Chalukya dynasty is famous for developing and encouraging art and architecture during its era. The rulers of the Chalukya dynasty were great enthusiasts of art. This is evident from the fact that they built many temples near the region of Badami. A famous example of their architecture is the Virupaksha Temple in Karnataka. The sculptures that adorn the temples are beautifully carved and sculpted and represent scenes from the famous epic Ramayana. Some of the paintings at Ajanta and Ellora cave temples are considered to belong to this period.
Pulakesin II was an admirer of art and always encouraged any art form to flourish in his kingdom. He was also fond of literature and encouraged poetry to flourish in his kingdom. The three famous poets of Kannada literature Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna and Ranna were from this era. Pulakesin was an able administrator and his subjects were devoted to him. Though he was Hindu by religion Pulakesin was tolerant towards Buddhism as well as Jainism. He built many monasteries in his kingdom that provided shelter to almost 5000 monks. The Chalukya kingdom was truly flourishing till it declined after the 12th century.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Chola Dynasty
The rule of the Cholas forms an important part in the history of South India. Chola rule saw remarkable progress in almost all spheres of life such as polity, culture and economy. During the 9th century, the Cholas gained control and overthrew the Pallavas. They primarily ruled in the south of India from the 9th to 13th Century. The Indian Chola Empire conquered not just the south of India but also extended their empire over the sea and ruled parts of the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The founder of the kingdom of Cholas was known by the name of Vijayalaya who conquered the kingdom of Tanjore during mid 8th century. The Chola dynasty is an important landmark in the history of India.
By the end of the 9th century, the Cholas firmly established their empire and exercised control over the south of India. This was during the reign of Rajaraja and his son Rajendra l. They were very ambitious rulers and defeated the Pandya and the Cheras of the south and captured their kingdoms. They had trade relations with west Asia, China and Southeast Asia that aided in enormous development of cities during the 11th century. Architecture and art was at its peak during the reign of the Cholas. The local administration system of the Cholas was amazing and reminds us of the modern day Pahchayati raj.
Culture and Society
There were many developments in the culture and society during the Chola Empire. The main center for cultural and social gatherings was the temple. The temple was an institution in itself. The temple courtyard functioned as a school where students were taught the ancient Vedas and Holy Scriptures. The temples were built in the form of citadels where people could feel safe during an attack or aggression. The society was divided into Brahmins and non-Brahmins. This was the time when Bhakti cult emerged and Lord Shiva was worshipped as a symbol of fertility. Language developed immensely and many languages like Tamil, Kannada and Telugu were developed from Sanskrit.
Architecture and Art
Architecture developed rapidly under the Chola Empire. The temples that were constructed were magnificent to look at. A famous one is the Brihadiswara temple at Tanjore. They formed the cult of Dravidian style of temple architecture. These splendid temples can be still seen at Tanjore and are a living testimony to the intricate style of architecture of the craftsmen of Chola dynasty. Another famous form of art was the bronze figurines that were crafted during this time. The craftsmen used to beautifully decorate the statues with garlands and jewelry while carving the statue itself. Famous examples of bronze statues are the Nataraja and Lord Shiva as Ardhanarishwara.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Epic Age in India
The Epic age in India is named so because some of the greatest epics came into being during this time. The epic period is estimated to be roughly from 1000 to 600 B.C. The ancient Indian society is described in a very vivid manner in these three epics. The three famous Indian epics that were created during this time were the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Upanishads. Not only are these three a part of the religious and mythological scriptures, but are also an important part of the historical roots of India. Read on about Indian epic age.
The very ideology of Hinduism is based on the famous Bhagwad Gita, which is a part of the Mahabharata. Thus, the Mahabharata is a foundation of the religion that is thriving today. It is as important to us as the Bible is for Christians. We get a clear picture of the kind of life people led during that point of time. According to the evidences found in the epics, the society was basically rural in nature. People remained prepared for any attacks or external aggressions by keeping weapons with them. The rulers were not chosen but were hereditary. The main economic activity was agriculture and small scale industries like arts, handicrafts, pottery, etc. thrived.
The epics tell us about the way the society was ruled at that time. The King basically filled his treasure vault with the taxes collected from people. He was the highest authority who had the power to punish and pardon. The priests were given the task of performing the religious rituals and sacrifices to make sure that no evil forces hampered the kingdom. With time, the priests began to gain power and also started to influence the king. The king listened to them because the priests were highly learned people who were supposed to be the voice of Gods.
The warriors were trained in using weapons and were supposed to be the protectors of the palaces. Though caste system was there, it was not too rigid. A warrior or an out caste could become a priest if he was adopted by one. The most respected and feared of all were the Dravidians who could not be questioned and were unaffected by the society. The most popular recreational activity was gambling. Horse racing, hunting, gambling, etc. were all introduced during the Epic Age in India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Gupta EmpireThe Gupta period marks an important phase in the history of ancient India. The long and efficient rule of the Guptas made a huge impact on the political, social and cultural spheres. Though the Gupta Empire was not as widespread as the Mauryan Empire was in India, yet the Gupta dynasty was successful in creating an empire that is significant in the history of India. The Gupta Period is also popularly known as the Golden Age of India and for the right reasons. The lifestyle and culture of the Gupta dynasty is known through the availability of various ancient coins, scriptures, inscriptions, texts, etc. belonging to that era.
The rulers of the Gupta Empire were efficient administrators who knew how to govern with a firm hand without being despotic. During this age, art and education flourished and many great discoveries were made in these fields. Aryabhatta and Varahamihira, the two great mathematicians contributed much during this period in the field of Vedic Mathematics. Aryabhatta estimated the value of "Pi" to the fourth decimal place. Algebra was developed to a great extent and the concepts of zero and infinity were found. The symbols of numbers 1 to 9 were devised which was a great contribution in mathematics. These symbols came to be known as Hindu Arabic numerals later when the Arabs too adopted them.
The Gupta Age is also known for its advances in astronomy. During the reign of the Gupta rulers, astronomers and philosophers proposed the theory that the earth was not flat but round. The theory of gravity was also propounded during this time. The astronomers made a breakthrough when they found out the different planets and started to make horoscopes based on the planetary positions. The field of medicine also advanced a lot during this time and doctors used to perform operations even during that era. Since so many discoveries and advances were made in arts, medicine, literature and science during Gupta period, it has been called the Golden Age of India.
Main Rulers of Gupta Age
Chandragupta (319 - 335 A.D): Chandragupta was a very powerful Gupta ruler who waged many battles to attain his title. He married Kumaradevi after which the Gupta dynasty came into eminence. He assumed the title of Maharajadiraja, which means king of kings.
Samudragupta (335 - 375 A.D): Samudragupta was the son and successor of Chandragupta. Samudragupta was popularly known as the "Indian Napoleon" as he conquered many territories without making much of an effort. It is said that after Emperor Ashoka, the empire of Samudragupta was the supreme. The coins found in excavation reveal much information about his empire. He performed the Asvamedha Yagna and gained much fame and power. During his reign, many great discoveries and advancements were made in different fields like astronomy, mathematics, medicine, etc.
Chandragupta II (375 - 414 A.D): Also known by the name of Vikramaditya, Chandragupta II was chosen by his father as the successor and the future ruler. Chandragupta II was an able ruler and a great conqueror. His conquest of the peninsula of Saurashtra via the Arabian Sea is considered to be one of his greatest military successes. With the annexation of Saurashtra and Malwa, he opened up sea ports to facilitate trade and commerce. His capital city was Pataliputra.
Kumaragupta I (415 - 455 AD): Kumaragupta ruled for forty years and he was considered to be one of the most powerful rulers of the Gupta Period. He was known by different names such as, Shri Mahendra, Ajita Mahendra, Simha Mahendra, Asvamedha Mahendra, Mahendra Karma, etc. During his reign, the whole of India was united as one single entity. Though it was secular and people had their own thoughts and beliefs, yet they remained united and intact in any adversity. This was proved when the subjects drove out the Hunas from the kingdom after the death of Kumaragupta.
Skandagupta (455 - 467 A.D): Most historic scripts propound that Skandagupta was the ruler after Kumaragupta, though there are some theories that also mention Purugupta, Kumaragupta - II, etc. Skandagupta was a very powerful conqueror and is considered to be at par with God Indra. His empire included the whole of North India from west to east and the peninsular regions of Gujarat.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Harshavardhan
King Harshavardhan was one of the most efficient rulers who unified the north of India into one single segment after the decline of the Gupta Empire. He ruled India for a time period of forty years. He was also known as simply Harsha. His father was Prabhakar Vardhan and his brother was the king of Thanesar, Rajyavardhan. Harshavardhan unified the whole of northern India that includes central, western and parts of Deccan plateau. Read the life history of Harsha Vardhana in this short biography.
Prabhakar Vardhan was the initial ruler of the Vardhan dynasty and established his capital at Thanesar located in Kurukshetra. His elder son, Rajyavardhan succeeded him after his death. However, he too was killed in a battle against Devagupta, a ruler who had killed his sister's husband. The throne could not remain empty, so everyone decided to appoint young Harshavardhan as the king. Thus, Harsha became the ruler at the tender age of 16! Even at this young age, he proved himself to be an able ruler and gained fame and fortune at a very young age.
He first stopped his sister from committing the Sati, a ritual where the wife is supposed to die along with her deceased husband in the pyre. He then merged the kingdoms of Kannauj and Thanesar and made Kannauj his capital city. He was an efficient warrior and won many battles against different rulers. He spread his territory rapidly across the Gangetic plain conquering the states of Haryana, Kannauj, Bengal, Gujarat and Bihar. He also conquered some parts of Orissa.
There are many written evidences of the reign of Harsha. These were compiled by the poets Hieun Tsang and Bana. When Harsha came to power, Bana composed it by the name of Harshacharita. The Buddhist pilgrim Hieun Tsang also wrote a full description about the empire of Harshavardhan. He was a very learned man and also wrote three famous plays named Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika. Harshavardhan was probably the last empire builder of ancient India. The mighty emperor breathed his last in 647 A.D. and his empire died with him.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Indus Valley Civilization
One of the earliest evidences of human civilization in India is found in ancient Indus valley civilization. The Indus valley cities were one of the first cities that came into existence and formed the basis of civilization. The Indus river valley civilization lasted from 3300 - 1700 B.C. It basically flourished from 2600 - 1800 B.C. This civilization is also known by the name of Harappan civilization since the first city to be excavated was Harappa. The two main cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro that were excavated are located in the modern day Pakistan.
The epicenter of the Harappan civilization was in the fertile plains of River Indus. The settlements have been found as far as Baluchistan in Pakistan and Gangetic plain in India. It is estimated that around 5000 years back, a group of nomads came to India from Sumeria, which is the modern day Iran. They passed through the Himalayas where they discovered a rich and fertile land which was irrigated by a number of rivers like Indus, Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Beas. This was the fertile plain of the modern day Punjab. As compared to Iran, which is essentially a desert and arid land, this land was blessed with ample water and other natural resources. There was enough wood to burn and enough clay to make bricks.
The real essence and foundation of civilization was formed by the twin cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. This is because the kind of planning principles that were used over here have been followed without any changes at all other sites. The two cities were located at a distance of around 400 kilometers from each other. The planning of the cities was done brilliantly. They had strong outer walls for defense and were spread over a square mile. The street were planned and constructed in a way that it allowed smooth flow of traffic and smoothly rounded corners made sure that carts could turn easily without hassles.
The cities were divided into 12 major blocks. The basic unit of city planning was individual household. Their main occupation was agriculture. Their agriculture was highly productive and they generated surplus that could support thousands of urban residents who were not necessarily engaged in agriculture. The farmers made full use of the fertile lands that flourished in alluvial soil. Their irrigation method was highly advanced though there are no evidences to support the same. They could have been destroyed in the devastating floods that kept repeating every time.
Extensive excavation projects in this site have helped archaeologists and historians to understand the arts and crafts of this era. A variety of sculptures, seals, jewelry in gold, pottery and statues in bronze, terracotta and steatite have been found in these excavations. One of the most famous of these artifacts is the bronze statue of the slender limbed "Dancing Girl". This was found in the site of Mohenjo-daro. Many crafts like ceramics, shell carvings, make up items, special combs, etc. were also found, thus giving crucial idea about the lifestyle of these people.
The people of Indus valley civilization believed in Gods as well and certain seals show a figure sitting in a Yoga - like posture surrounded by animals. This figure was called Pashupati. Other seals show the symbol of Swastika embellished on them. They also worshipped a female entity, which was named as Mother Goddess. They carried on trade and transportation via a highly developed waterway. A canal that was built by them was found during excavations.
The civilization flourished for many years before finally declining rapidly. One of the main causes that contributed to the decline of Indus valley civilization is changing patterns of climate. Apparently the climate of Indus valley changed over the years making it colder and drier. As a result, the Ghaggar Hakra river system shrunk and its major portions dried up. It is also said that a major tectonic shift may have diverted the natural resources towards the Gangetic Plain. However, the real and definite cause for the decline of the civilization is not known and it is speculated to be a result of various factors including the above two.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Magadha Empire
Magadha Empire lasted from 684 B.C - 320 B.C in India. The two great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata mention the Magadha Empire. It is said that the Shishunaga dynasty founded the Magadha Empire. Some of the greatest empires and religions of India originated here. The Gupta Empire and Mauryan Empire started here. The great religions, Buddhism and Jainism were founded in Magadha Empire. Read on to know about the history of Magadh Empire.
Magadha Empire gained much power and importance during the rule of King Bimbisara and his son and successor Ajatshatru. Bimbisara is said to have been murdered by his son Ajatshatru. The Magadha Empire in India extended in the modern day Bihar and Patna and some parts of Bengal. Magadha Empire was a part of the 16 Mahajanapadas. The empire extended up to River Ganges and the kingdoms of Kosala and Kashi were annexed. The places that came under the Magadha Empire were mostly republican in nature and the administration was divided into judicial, executive and military functions.
The Magadha Empire fought gruesome battles with most of its neighbors. They had advanced forms of weaponry andthe opposed forces did not stand a chance against them. Ajatshatru even built a huge fort at his capital Pataliputra. This was the place that Buddha prophesized would become a popular place of trade and commerce. With an unmatched military force, the Magadha Empire naturally had an upper hand over conquering neighborhood places and spreading the territory. This is what made it a major part of the 16 Mahajanapadas.
However, after the death of King Udayan, the Magadha Empire started to decline very rapidly. Internal disturbances and corruption within the kingdom led to its decline. The Magadha Empire was finally taken over by the powerful Nanda dynasty who then ruled here for a good amount of time before being taken over by the Mauryas.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
JainismIt is a common misconception among people that Jainism religion was started by Lord Mahavira. The truth is that Jainism existed long before Lord Mahavira was born. Lord Mahavira reformed Jainism and gave it more exposure. Thus, the history and origin of Jainism dates back to many centuries before Lord Mahavira was born. The religion of Jainism is based on philosophy and the concept of Dharma. Read on this section which is essentially an introduction to Jainism.
The Jains basically follow the teachings of 24 Tirthankaras or Enlightened spiritual leaders. Lord Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara. He lived in approximately around 6th Century B.C. The Jains have influenced many cultures with their teachings and philosophies. They emphasize on non - violent form of living and treating all life forms with respect. They believe that self control is essential for the attainment of omniscience or infinite knowledge. The realization of infinite knowledge leads to Moksha or Nirvana.
The Jains are supposed to be the most educated religious community of India. Some of India's oldest libraries are of the Jains. The Jains are essentially of two types:
Digambaras: Jains who believed that monks should not wear clothes
Shwetambaras: Jains who believed that monks can wear only white clothes.
Beliefs and Practices
The Jains believe in reincarnation. To free themselves of the cycle of birth and death, they practice asceticism that is stringent in nature. They basically struggle to make their present birth the last one. Their professions are chosen carefully and revolve around the protection of lives or doing good deeds for others. The ethical code followed by the Jains is very strict in nature and the ethics are followed with much dedication and sincerity. The Jains believe in the following principles and ethics.
Ahimsa
The Jains believe in Ahimsa or non-violence. They adopt Ahimsa as a way of life. Non violence does not mean only being calm and letting others live peacefully. It means that one should be peaceful in thought as well as action. All monks are strict vegetarians and regard even the tiniest insect as a sacred form of life.
Satya
Jains believe in speaking the Satya or truth always. They believe that falsehood is a deterrent in the attainment of Nirvana and is not useful in one's life. Not speaking the truth or running away from it is worthless and does not change the nature of truth.
Asteya
Jains believe in not stealing from others. They believe in being content with whatever they have. According to the Jains, nothing is permanent, not even one's body. Materialistic pleasures only hamper spiritual growth and create only a temporary sense of satisfaction.
Brahmacarya
Jains believe in being loyal to just one spouse for the entire life span. They believe that monogamy is the best way of life and is also a respect to the person you are spending your life with.
Aparigraha
Aparigraha means detachment from materialistic possessions. It means to possess only a few or basic required materials for a lifetime. In the life of a monk, material pleasures have no importance and in fact cease to be of any importance as time goes by.
They are recommended to lead life in four basic stages. The first stage is called Brahmacharya - ashram which means the life of a student. The second stage is called Grihasth - ashram which means having a family or leading a family life. The third stage is known as Vanaprasth - ashram which means doing social services and finishing off family responsibilities. The last and final stage of life is known as Sanyast - ashram which means abandonment of family life and adopting the life of an ascetic or a saint.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Lord Mahavira
The 24th and last Tirthankara of the Jains, Lord Mahavira is much revered among the Jains. His teachings and philosophies continue to inspire numerous people even today. He was born in a royal family and denounced his royal family life to attain spiritual knowledge like the Buddha. He was named Vardhamana Mahavira because when he was born his father, king Siddhartha prospered like anything. Vardhamana means increasing and the king credited his growing success and prosperity to the birth of his son. The life of Swami Mahavir is very interesting and is given here as a short story.
Lord Mahavira was born roughly around 599 B.C. He was born in the royal family of Kshatriyakund, a part of the republic of Vaishali. His father was King Siddhartha and his mother was Queen Trishala. It is said that when the queen conceived Lord Mahavira, she had fourteen auspicious dreams that were a premonition of the greatness of the child that was to be born. The prosperity of the King grew day by day. The king attributed his success to his new born child and named him Vardhamana, which means "ever increasing".
Vardhamana had a lavish childhood and lived like a proper prince. He did many great things in his childhood like saving his friend from a poisonous snake, fighting a monster, etc. that proved that he was no ordinary child. This earned him the name "Mahavira". He was born with all worldly pleasures and luxuries but somehow he was never attracted by them. When he was in his late 20's his parents died. That is when he decided to become a monk. He left all his worldly possessions including clothing and went into seclusion to become a monk.
After 12 years of strict meditation and ascetic lifestyle, he finally gained enlightenment and spiritual knowledge and came to be known as Lord Mahavira. He gave up food and learnt to control his desires and wants. After gaining enlightenment, he preached what he had learnt to all those who needed it. He traveled far and wide barefoot spreading his divine knowledge and words of wisdom for thirty years. Numerous people were inspired by him and converted to Jainism. He left his mortal form around 527 B.C at the age of 72. The Jains celebrate this day as Diwali the day when Lord Mahavira attained liberation is the last day on the Hindu calendar that is celebrated as Diwali.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Pallava Dynasty
The Pallavas were essentially a pastoral tribe who ruled the southern parts of India for almost 500 years. They were great conquerors and left a huge impact in the field of art and architecture. Initially, the Pallava dynasty conquered the region of Thondaimandalam that was located at Pallavapuri, India. However, this region was washed by the sea due to some unforeseen natural disaster. Thus they moved further south and established the powerful Pallava Empire. Their territory extended from Northern Orissa to Tanjore and Trichi in far south. Their new capital was Kanchipuram.
An excavation in the region where the Pallavas ruled revealed much information about the Pallava dynasty. The coins that were found belonged to the period when the Pallavas ruled and dated back to the 1st and 2nd century. Around 4th century A.D, the Pallavas defeated the Ikshvakus and spread their territory as far as the River Krishna. Thereafter, the Pallavas started spreading their territory at a very rapid pace. Simha Vishnu is often known as the founder of Pallava dynasty and is considered to be a very efficient and strong conqueror.
After the death of Simha Vishnu, his son Mahendravarman became the king. Mahendravarman was a very efficient ruler and a learned man. He initiated the construction of the famous cave temple at Mahabalipuram. However, the tales of prosperity reached far and wide and Chalukya Pulakesi-II learnt about the richness and abundance of the kingdom. He attacked the kingdom and defeated Mahendravarman. The defeat in the battle was the main cause of the death of Mahendravarman. He was succeeded by his son Narasimhavarman.
Narasimhavarman vowed to take revenge for the death of his father. He was a well built man who was also very intelligent. With much planning and tact, he virtually destroyed the kingdom of Chalukya Pulakesi. Then, he continued the continued the construction of the cave temple which was stalled temporarily. He got the title of "Mamalla", which could be the reason why Mahabalipuram is also known as Mamallapuram. Apart from this temple, he also got many temples constructed all over his kingdom. His successors managed to retain the power of the empire but finally lost to the Cholas, who put an end to this dynasty.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Prehistoric IndiaThe Indian prehistoric era is one of the most fascinating and intriguing eras to read about. Though there is speculation about when it originated, historians quote the approximate period from 200000 B.C to about 3500 - 2500 B.C. It is estimated that the first humans to set their foot in the Indian sub continent between 200000 B.C and 40000 B.C. Pre historic India has been divided into four major eras. These are: Stone Age, Paleolithic Era, Mesolithic Era and Neolithic Era. The Bronze Age is also mentioned here though it comes after these four eras. Further information about Indian prehistory is given below.
Stone Age
The Stone Age was the era when early man used stones for functional and useful purposes. The Stone Age is further classified into three categories which are the Paleolithic Age, Mesolithic Age and Neolithic Age. These divisions have been made on the basis of the kind of stone tools that were used during these times.
Paleolithic Age
The Paleolithic Age lasted till about 8000 B.C. In this age, man was essentially a food gatherer. He learnt to make weapons out of stones and also mastered the skill of hunting animals. The crude weapons were slowly carved properly and were made sharp and pointed. These special weapons were made by shredding the sides of a stone with a heavier stone. Man also learnt how to create fire and make use of it.
Mesolithic Age
The Mesolithic Age lasted from 8000 B.C - 4000 B.C. In this age the size of the groups grew to form small communities. The number of mouths to feed increased and needed constant nurturing for continuation. The tools improved and became more refined and sharp. There was a drastic change in the food and clothing of man. The tools were modified and now the sharp stones were attached to strong tree branches using ropes and vines. These new weapons or hand axes could be flung on animals from a safe distance. Apart from this, farming techniques were developed and man began to grow crops. Man also learnt to draw and paint and the evidence is found in the form of cave paintings found in India.
Neolithic Age
The Neolithic Age lasted from 4000 B.C - 2500 B.C and is known as the last stage of the Stone Age era. The main features of this age were the finely flaked weapons and small tools made of stone that were used for day to day work. This age also saw domestication of cows, horses and other poultry and farm animals. Their products were used for dairy and meat items. The wheel, which was a very important invention, was created during this age. Shortly after this age around 1800 B.C, tools were made of copper and bronze and were used for many practical purposes.
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is the era when metals were used and improvised for making tools and other weapons. This age came immediately after the Neolithic Age and aided in the development of the metallurgy industry. It came into being in 3500 B.C in the Middle East. The Bronze Age in India is roughly estimated to have begun around 3300 B.C. It almost coincided with the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization. People living in Indus Valley produced bronze, copper and tin thus developing new techniques of metallurgy.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Sangam Age
The Sangam Age in India witnessed the rapid development of literary works in the southern regions. The literature that was created during this time came to be known as Sangam literature. The great poets, writers, etc. of this age have left behind invaluable accounts of brilliant literature that continue to enthrall historians and scholars. The earliest literary work dates back to 200 B.C. Read more about the history of Sangham Age in India.
The word Sangam has most likely been derived from the Indo-Aryan word Sangha, which means an assembly. This word was usually used for Buddhist and Jain monks. Roughly around 470 C.E an academy called Dravida Sangha was established by a Jain called Vajranandi. The members of this academy had much interest in literature and Tamil language. In early Sangam age poems, one finds the mention of Jain cosmology and mythology.
During the Sangam Age, the three empires that ruled the South of India were that of Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras. Though there were constant wars among the different kings for dominion of states and territory, they were all promoters of literature and other classical literary works. Under their rule, Indian art and culture flourished like anything. The early Sangam literature mentions the kingdom of the Pandyas. It is said that the kingdom became insignificant before emerging again during the 6th Century.
With the rise of the Chola dynasty, the dynasty of Pandyas again declined. They were in constant conflict with the Cholas and fought for their part of territory. However, the Pandyas found reliable allies in the form of the Cheras and the Sinhalese and left no opportunity to disturb the Cholas with them. By the late 13th Century, the Pandyas were able to revive their position and gain back heir lost territories and riches.
One of the earliest written scriptures in Tamil grammar is known as Tolkappiyam. Another work known as Ettutogai or Eight Anthologies is considered to be a fantastic product of the Sangam Age. Many poems were composed during this age and some of the famous ones are Manimekhalai, Shilpathikaram, Akananuru, Purananuru, etc. These poems speak about the political, social, cultural and traditional aspects of life during the Sangam age. Some poems also mention the fact that the Cheras formed a vital trading center with Rome. Some of the great poets who deserve a mention are Avvaiyar, Kapilar, Mamulanar, Paramer, Gautamanar, etc.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Tripartite Struggle
The Tripartite struggle was a struggle for power and control over the central Gangetic valley among three major empires in India during the 8th Century. These three empires were the Pratiharas, the Rastrakutas and the Palas. The Pratiharas were settled in western India in the Avanti - Jalaor region. The Rastrakutas who were essentially from the Deccan region were interested in Kannauj due to the fact that it formed an important center for trade and commerce. The Palas occupied the eastern parts of India (present day Bengal) and were very strong contenders in this struggle.
The Pratihara ruler named Vatsaraja had a dire ambition to take control over the region of Kannauj. At the same time, the Pala ruler Dharmapala also had an eye over the same region. This brought the two rulers into a conflict. During this time the Rastrakuta king Dhruva attacked the two of them and claimed to have won. This is what led to the Tripartite Struggle. Dharmapala however somehow gained control over the territory and set his nominee on the throne. The Rastrakutas were busy with their own problems in their kingdom in south.
During the end of the 8th Century, the successor of Pratihara ruler Vatsaraja named Nagabhata II attacked Kannauj and established his rule, though it was short lived. In the beginning of the 9th Century he was defeated by the Rastrakuta ruler Govinda III. However, he was kept busy in internal politics by an alliance of different kingdoms in the south. The struggle for Kannauj became serious after the Pratiharas exercised control over it.
During the rule of Krishna III, there was successful campaign against the Cholas. The Rastrakutas also formed a matrimonial relationship with the Gangas and defeated the kingdom of Vengi. By the end of the 9th Century the power of the Rastrakutas started to decline along with the Palas. This was seen as an ideal opportunity by the feudal king Taila II who defeated the Rastrakuta ruler and declared his kingdom there. This came to be known the Later Chalukya dynasty. Their kingdom included the states of Karnataka, Konkan and northern Godavari. By the end of the tripartite struggle, the Pratiharas emerged victorious and established themselves as the rulers of central India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Art
Art is an integral part of any civilization and ancient India flourished in this. The artifacts that have been discovered by archaeologists and historians reveal valuable facts about the lifestyle and mental patterns of that age. During ancient India various art forms developed at great pace. It is evident from the surviving art forms and literature that the ancient Indian art forms have great detailing and unique realistic style of their own.
According to the evidence found, it looks like people in ancient India were great admirers of different art forms. They loved fine arts and indulged in dancing, sculpting and painting. A very interesting aspect of ancient art in India is that it is highly realistic. Though bit crude, the anatomical detailing in their sculptures is worth applauding for. Animal and human figures have been carefully carved and chiseled to get a refined effect and portray the physical details in a very fine way.
The fine artistic sensibilities of the people are pretty much evident in their terracotta and bronze sculptures. From the artifacts another interesting aspect that has come to light is the fact that musical instruments were used at that point of time. Certain seals and sculptures have inscriptions marked like instrument that looks somewhat like the harp. The paintings and inscriptions basically reveal the mental patterns of the people.
As time progressed, the cruder forms were refined and a new kind of art form developed. This was the art form of rock cut caves and temple art. Rock cut art and architecture was a very important step taken towards the progress of ancient Indian art. The rock cut architecture was first initiated by the Buddhists and this inspired Hindus and the Jains who built similar structures at sites like Ajanta, Badami, Ellora, Elephanta, etc. The patterns varied according to different regions they were built in. The expression of mental attitudes in the form of ancient art is truly fascinating and helps us analyze the journey traveled from then to now.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Culture
The rich heritage of Indian culture can be traced back to ancient times. The practices, beliefs and customs that we follow today were established thousands of years back. In ancient India, culture was the determining factor of the Indian society. Though different beliefs were followed in different regions, the foundation base of ancient Indian culture remained the same. From every day dressing to elaborate rituals, every minute and major detail was decided centuries back. The root of Indian culture has existed since ancient times and that is what makes it so strong.
After the initial set up of the foundation by the Indus Valley Civilization, the coming of the Aryans further consolidated it. The Aryans had a particular social structure according to which administration was carried on. There was division of labor and each hierarchy had its own job to do. The merchants and the priestly class were considered very elite and were much respected and feared. There were certain symbols of worship like cows, bulls, the sacrificial fire, etc. The chanting of sacred hymns came into vogue with the Vedic age. Though agriculture was the main occupations, there was development of small scale industries and handicrafts.
In ancient India, fine arts formed an integral part of the culture. Music and dance evolved highly in ancient India and new forms of dances and music came into being. Music was usually accompanied by instruments to provide bass and rhythm. Dances required elaborate costumes, jewelry and make-up and were usually performed in temples or royal courts. Theater also originated in ancient India and was an integral part of the daily culture. People enacted scenes out of daily life like wild animals hunting for food. Some people became small animals like cows, goats, etc. who were "preyed" upon by people playing the role of carnivores like lions, tigers, etc. The culture of ancient India has been refined and modernized over the ages; what we see today is a sophisticated version of what existed thousands of years back.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India FactsIndia is a country that will mesmerize you with its intriguing history and fascinating past. Though life has become very complex in modern times, the interesting facts of India continue to awe people all over the world. The country is no ordinary country. In fact, it had the components of a prosperous nation since ancient times only. The rich history of India is full of such interesting facts that one is bound to sit and analyze this fascinating country's history with much enthusiasm. For an amazing collection of facts on ancient India,see below:
Facts of Ancient India
Indians established Harappan culture in Indus Valley Civilization, at a time when many cultures comprised of nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago.
The game of chess was invented in India.
The birth of Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus happened in India.
The Decimal and Place Value system originated and developed in India.
In the 13th century, a poet saint named Gyandev introduced the game of Snakes and Ladders. Known as Mokshapat during those times, the game had a significant meaning. The snakes stood for vices, while the ladders represented good virtues. The essence of the game was that the ladders or good virtues take people to heaven while snakes or vices take people to a cycle of re-births.
In 700 BC, the world's first university was established in India, in Takshila. It was one of the biggest achievements in the field of education, as more than 10,500 students came from all over the world to receive education in over 60 different subjects. The University of Nalanda was another milestone that was achieved in the field of education in 4th century BC.
The earliest school of medicine known to mankind was Ayurveda and it originated in India. It was consolidated 2500 years ago by Charaka, the Father of Medicine.
As many as 6000 years back, the art of navigation was developed in the River Indus, which was known as Sindh then. In fact, the word 'navigation' is a derivation of the Sanskrit word, 'Navgatih'.
The correct time taken by the earth to revolve around the sun was calculated by the famous astronomer Bhaskaracharya. His calculation showed that the earth takes around 365.258756484 days to go around the sun once.
In the 6th century, the famous Indian Budhayana mathematician calculated the value of "Pi" and also explained the concept of Pythagoras Theorem.
In the 11th century, Quadratic Equations were introduced by Sridharacharya. Indians used numbers that were way too big than European numbers. While the latter limited themselves to 106, the Indians went a step ahead and used numbers as big as 1053.
Surgery existed in India even 2600 years ago, when Sushruta, known as the Father of Surgery, conducted many complex surgeries. The valuable ancient scriptures have detailed information on Cataract, Artificial Limbs, Cesareans, Fractures, Urinary Stone Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Brain Surgeries.
Anesthesia was used in ancient India and one finds detailed knowledge of the human anatomy and its functions.
Two major religions, Buddhism and Jainism were established in India in 500 and 600 BC.
The oldest city in the world that is inhabited even today is Varanasi or Benaras.
The art of Yoga that is now popular worldwide originated in India only and was performed by highly revered sages, in the ancient times.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient Indian Food
Early Indians ate food that was easily available from nature. Fruits, wild berries, meat, fish, etc. were the main food items of the nomadic dwellers. With the advent of civilization, people settled and started to do farming. This led to the discovery of food crops, pulses, etc. Food in ancient India was cultivated in the fertile river valleys. Rice was their staple food that was eaten with cooked lentils, vegetables and meat.
Wheat was used to make flat breads known as "Chapatti". The food habits of nearby countries also affected the food in ancient India. Cooking of chicken came to India from Thailand and mutton came from West Asia. The food pattern did not change with the arrival of the Aryans. With complex religious rituals taking the center stage, animal sacrifices peaked and more and more people turned vegetarians.
Milk and milk products came much into use during ancient times. Rice was eaten with curd and yogurt. Cows were respected and worshipped hence people stopped eating beef. Most people in India became vegetarians and meat was consumed very rarely. Many spices were cultivated in India and were used in cooking for aroma and flavor. India flourished in the cultivation of spices and many of them were later exported to foreign lands.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Geography
The topography of India is very diverse constituting of various geographical features. This makes the geography of ancient India very unique due to the fact that people used to live in extremes. The geographical terrains were varied, ranging from rivers, to plains to mountainous terrains. Though extreme terrains, they provided the perfect cradle for civilization to develop in ancient India. The establishment of many small villages took place on the fertile river plains where agriculture was easier to practice.
The evidence of ancient Indian geography is found in the Holy Scriptures. The sacred chants and hymns in the Vedas praise the River Sindhu, which was a mighty river in the north of India. It is said that this river was the mightiest of all; though there are mention of rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, etc. These rivers were the base for ideal flood plains and became among the first sites for civilization to flourish.
Though the topography was extreme and was prone to unwarned climatic changes like floods, thunderstorms, etc. they helped greatly in the growth and expansion of civilization. The mountains provided the much needed protection from foreign invaders, the rivers made transportation and navigation possible, the plains made agriculture possible, and so on. The geography ancient India was definitely an integral part in helping the development and growth of human settlements and start of one of the earliest civilizations.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Gods
Ancient India had very simple forms of worshipping. Idol worship was unheard of and there were no such Gods & Goddesses during the beginning phase of civilization in ancient India. Earlier, the various forces of nature were worshipped as the supreme power since they were unheard of. Natural elements like the Sun, Moon, Rain, Thunder, etc. were worshipped during the time civilization began. People were scared of these natural elements as there were no rational explanations for these natural elements. Nature was thus, the God/Goddess in ancient India.
Nature and its elements were regarded as female and were worshipped in the form of Mother Nature. Early archaeological excavations reveal a figurine shaped like a woman who was most likely to be worshipped as the main Goddess. The people in ancient India continued to worship a female form till the time the Aryans invaded the Indus Valley. They introduced a patriarchal form of worship and idol worship came into vogue. However, with the advent of Hinduism and inter racial marriages, the Aryans began to return to worshipping ancient Goddesses.
As time passed, the Vedas and other important scriptures were formed and much more Gods and Goddesses were worshipped. It is estimated that during the Vedic Period, there were 3000 Gods and Goddesses that were worshipped! The King of all Gods was Indra, who had the power to destroy cities with rain and thunder. The creator was known as Brahma, the preserver was known as Vishnu and the destroyer was known as Shiva. The Sun God was also much respected and worshipped. The spiritual world and beliefs were also revived and people started to believe in evil and good spirits.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Government
With the beginning of civilization, there arose a need for smooth administration and division of responsibilities. Since the population started to increase, people grew concerned about welfare and able ruling. This led to the rise of an organizational structure that dealt with the nuances of firm ruling and governance. The ancient Indian government was very simple in structure. There used to be a tribe chief who used to appoint helpers to look over the smooth functioning of the society and dealt with grievances of people.
With the coming of different empires, the government of ancient India took a more complex and elaborate form. The establishment of large kingdoms in India gave birth to the concept of having a King or a Maharaja who was the head of administration and the state. Everything worked under his command and no one dared to oppose him. He usually used to appoint a council of ministers who used to govern different areas of the state. During the 6th century B.C., 16 Mahajanapadas or 16 great kingdoms were established in India.
In ancient Indian government, one finds the different elements of modern government also. This means that the foundation of the modern day government was laid during the ancient times itself. The ancient Indian government had three major components in the hierarchy. They were: Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary. The chief head of the three departments was the King. Effective judiciary made sure that crime was under control and the offenders got the apt punishments for their crimes.
The ancient Indian government had an effective way of keeping tabs on what people thought of the administration. This was kept in check by a very secretive system of spies. The king used to be updated about what is happening in his kingdom regularly by these spies who used to roam around in the kingdom in disguise. There was effective military and the soldiers were well trained in the art of warfare. There were regular updates of population, birth rate, death rate, etc. Despite a huge empire, administration was controlled and highly effective in ancient India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India Religion
India has been a very religious country since time immemorial. The birth and growth of civilization paved the way for different religions to spring up. In pre-historic times, there were no religions as such but people worshipped various forces of nature like the Sun, Moon, Thunder, etc. As the society grew, complex religious practices came into existence. With the emergence of the priestly class, there were a multitude of changes in the religions in India.
Every region had its own religious practice and belief. The Holy Scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads and epics talk about the ancient religious practices of India. They talk about elaborate "Yagnas", sacrifices, importance of fire in a ritual, etc. that were an integral part of the religious practices. Hinduism was one of the earliest religions to be founded in India and it is also considered to be one of the world's oldest religions. Even today, Hinduism has the maximum number of followers in India and the beliefs and traditions have not changed since ancient times.
With time, Buddhism and Jainism came into being and new principles of spiritual knowledge came into being. People started to believe in re-birth, re-incarnation and the philosophy of Karma. New beliefs and practices came into being and the meaning of religion took an entirely new turn. Some customs went a bit far to implement themselves and were opposed by people. The society became oppressive of certain religious practices and many smaller religions and beliefs came into being. The ancient religions of India laid a strong foundation of religious practices that are followed till date.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Ancient India TimelineThe ancient history of India is as old as the country itself. The ancient civilizations that were cradled in the rich lands of India laid a strong foundation for the present day cities. The civilizations started off with a crude and unrefined form of governance and lifestyle. With the arrival of big kingdoms, administration became organized and many new developments took place. Different important events slowly shaped up the country of India as we know it now. The rich historical legacy of ancient India is covered here in the form of a timeline. This Indian time line presents the ancient history in a summarized version.
2000 BC to 1000 BC
In this time period, the following developments took place:
The Harappa and Mohenjodaro Communities formed as well as prospered between 2500 and 1550 BC.
During this time, the Dravidian traditions were also established in the South
1000 BC - 600 BC
This time period saw:
The Aryans migrating to the Indian subcontinent
The composition of the Vedas
The composition of Indian epic Mahabharata
The expansion as well as propagation of Hinduism
The establishment of caste system
600 BC - 400 BC
The time of 600 to 400 BC recorded the following developments:
The birth, enlightenment and popularity of Gautama Buddha (563 to 483 BC)
The birth, enlightenment and popularity of Lord Mahavira (599 BC)
Rule of Bimbisara of Magadha (542 to 490 BC)
The rise of Jainism
400 BC - 0 BC
In this time period, history witnessed:
Invasion of India by the Great Alexander (326 BC)
Rule of Chandra Gupta Maurya (300 BC)
Establishment of the Indian Empire
Rule Emperor Ashoka (272 BC)
Spread of Buddhism
Rise of Mauryan Empire
0 BC - 1200 A.D
The final stage of Ancient India saw the following events:
Construction of Khajuraho Temples
Reign of Hoysala Dynasty
Construction of Belur and Halebid temples
Rule of the Gupta Empire (320 to 647 AD)
Reign by the Pallavas of Kanchi (300 to 888 AD)
Coming of Chinese Traveler, Fa-Hien to India (400 AD)
Coming of Chinese Traveler, Hiuen-Tsiang to India (630 AD)
Invasion of Somnath Temple by Mahmud Ghazni (1026 AD)
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Women in Ancient India
Many historians claim that women enjoyed an equal status with men in ancient India. It is said that women were educated, had a say in family matters, took important decisions of life and were free to choose their own husbands. The ancient system of "Swayamvara" is mentioned in holy scripts and also in many epics. A woman in ancient India was respected and was given due importance in the society. Child marriage was unheard of and many women were also famous sages like Gargi, Maitreyi, etc.
With time, women started to lose their importance and their status began to wane. The freedom given to women was curtailed slowly and she was not allowed to voice her opinions in political matters in a society. Polygamy began to increase and child marriage came into vogue. Daughters were considered to be a burden and they were reduced to doing the chores of household. Sati, an ancient practice in which a widow had to lie beside her husband's pyre, came into vogue. Women were tortured and humiliated and their position and condition degraded.
In ancient India, remarriage of widows was not encouraged. They were seen as a disgrace to the family and had to give up all the comforts of life. They wore plain clothes, tonsured their heads, had a separate place to stay and ate bland food. Reformers and emperors like Asoka, fought for the rights and welfare of women. Due to the efforts of many such reformers and philosophers, the condition of women improved and they were able to walk on the streets again with their heads held high.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Maurya Empire
One of the greatest empires in the history of India was the Maurya Empire. It approximately lasted from 322 - 185 B.C. Most of India was united as a single entity by the great emperor Chandragupta Maurya. His son Bindusara extended the kingdom of Mauryas over almost the entire sub-continent. The Mauryan Empire had the most powerful military force in ancient India. The greatest emperor of the Maurya dynasty was Ashoka. An able administrator and a skillful warrior, Ashoka converted to Buddhism after the gruesome Battle of Kalinga.
The Maurya Empire had smooth administration and efficient rulers. The government was hierarchical and centralized with a lot of staff to make sure that work was carried on smoothly and efficiently. Taxes were collected regularly, trade and commerce was carried on smoothly, citizens were taken care of and the army was always ready for any sort of external aggression or threat. Every province had its own officials who managed administration at grassroots level. The economy was agrarian and the main economic activity of people was agriculture. The capital city of Magadha was beautifully decorated and had all facilities that any modern city would have.
In the Mauryan dynasty, art and literature flourished and the rulers built many famous temples and monuments. Ashoka preached his philosophies in the form of pillars and rock edicts all over northern India. The great advisor Chanakya, who is said to be the driving force behind the fame and success of Emperor Chandragupta, also wrote many great books that have been compiled as literary masterpieces. The Maurya dynasty also saw the rise and fall of many different empires in the south of India. There was constant struggle for power and control of the Deccan region and central India among various small rulers.
The Maurya Empire started to disintegrate towards late 2nd century. The north of India broke into a series of chaos and this situation attracted many invaders who crossed the border to establish their kingdoms. The rulers were busy fighting among themselves and exhausting resources when they should have checked external aggression. After the death of Ashoka, the disintegration had started and worsened by 3rd century.
Asoka the Great
One of the greatest emperors of all times, Emperor Asoka was a Mauryan ruler whose empire spread across the Indian sub continent and the present day Pakistan and Afghanistan thus covering a vast area. He is known as Asoka the Great since he was one of the most able rulers who ruled India.
Asoka Dhamma
After converting to Buddhism, one of the greatest emperors of India, Ashoka disseminated the teachings and knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures. Ashoka always had belief in morals and principles and had high ideals in life. These came to be known as Dhamma of Emperor Ashoka.
Asoka Pillars
Asoka's pillars are basically a series of pillars that are spread all over the northern part of the Indian sub continent. These pillars were set up during the time Emperor Ashoka reigned in India. Most of the pillars, though damaged to some extent still stand upright and are protected by the concerned authorities.
Chanakya
One of the greatest figures of wisdom and knowledge in the Indian history is Chanakya. He is estimated to have lived from 350 - 283 B.C. Chanakya is touted as the "Pioneer Economist of India". Chanakya was the adviser and Prime Minister of Emperor Chandragupta.
Chandragupta Maurya
Known as the founder of Mauryan Empire, King Chandragupta Maurya is considered to be one of the most able rulers who ruled and unified India. Chandragupta Maurya ruled from 320 - 298 B.C approximately. He is considered to be one of the most authentic and able rulers of India.
Asoka Rock Edicts
Asoka was one of the greatest emperors of India. His high ideals and philosophies are inscribed in the form of rock edicts all over northern India. The Ashokan rock edicts are basically a collection of 33 inscriptions that are carved on the Pillars of Ashoka along with big boulders, caves, etc.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Asoka the Great
One of the greatest emperors of all times, Emperor Asoka was a Mauryan ruler whose empire spread across the Indian subcontinent, stretching from the present day Pakistan and Afghanistan to Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam to Kerala and Andhra in south India, thus covering a vast area. He is known as Asoka the Great since he was one of the most able rulers who ruled India. Under his rule, the entire India was united as one single entity with smooth administration. His life is an inspiration to many as he excelled in everything he did. The name Ashoka means "without any sorrow" in Sanskrit. Read on this biography about the life history of famous Buddhist emperor, Ashoka.
Born in 304 BC, the great king Ashoka was the grandson of the famous ruler Chandragupta Maurya and son of Mauryan emperor Bindusara and his queen, Dharma. As a young lad, Ashoka excelled in whatever he was taught. Be it the art of warfare or reading the Holy Scriptures, Asoka excelled in everything he did. Ashoka had many half brothers and was loved by one and all. Thus, after his father died, his elder brother Suman took over the reign of the kingdom. But most of his father's ministers found Ashoka to be more efficient and helped him attain power. After a three year war, Ashoka was accepted the throne and was crowned as the king of Magadha in 273 BC. After being crowned as the king, he proved himself by smoothly administrating his territory and performing all his duties as an able and courageous king.
After a period of eight years of serving as the king, Ashoka planned to seize the territory of Kalinga, the present day Orissa. He led a huge army and fought a gruesome battle with the army of Kalinga. The battle of Kalinga made him pledge to never wage a war again. The battle took place on the Dhauli hills that are located on the banks of River Daya. Though Ashoka emerged victorious at the end, the sight of the battlefield made his heart break with shame, guilt, and disgust. It is said that the battle was so furious that the waters of River Daya turned red with the blood of the slain soldiers and civilians.
The sight of numerous corpses lying strewn across the battlefield made his heart wrench. He felt sick inside. The battle ground looked like a graveyard with bodies of not just soldiers but men, women, and children also. He saw young children crying over the bodies of their dead parents, women crying over the bodies of their dead husbands, mothers crying over the loss of their kids. This turned him heartbroken and thus, made a pledge to never ever fight a battle again. To seek solace, he converted to Buddhism. He was so inspired by the teachings of the Buddhist monks and Buddhist philosophies that he used his status to impart this knowledge all over the world. He is credited to be the first Emperor to make a serious attempt at developing Buddhist policies.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Asoka Dhamma
After converting to Buddhism, one of the greatest emperors of India, Ashoka disseminated the teachings and knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures. Ashoka always had belief in morals and principles and had high ideals in life. These came to be known as Dhamma of Emperor Ashoka. The word Dhamma is the Prakrit version of the Sanskrit word Dharma. Given here is further information about king Asoka's Dharma.
Ashoka's Dhamma is a philosophical entity that emphasizes on the high ideals in order to lead a successful life. He wanted everyone to live peacefully and co-exist in a harmonious environment. Some of his ideals were to shun war and spread peace, stop animal sacrifices, respect elders, masters treating slaves like humans, promoting vegetarianism, etc. These ideals if followed correctly lead one to a higher level of living. Ashoka wanted to spread peace and prosperity in his kingdom.
The true essence of Ashoka's Dhamma is present in the form of the various rock edicts. The principles of Ashoka's Dhamma are inscribed on those rock edicts in Brahmi language. These edicts are a code for how to lead life in a way that you become an inspiration for others. Ashoka believed that a king should treat his subjects the same way a father treats his children.
An able king should be courageous, responsible for his subjects, take up initiative in tasks like constructing roads, hospitals, rest houses, etc. Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamattas who were basically officers looking after the spread of these principles across the empire of Ashoka. Ashoka propagated the principles of Dhamma not just in India but countries like Sri Lanka, Burma and other South East Asian countries as well.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Asoka PillarsAsoka's pillars are basically a series of pillars that are spread all over the northern part of the Indian sub continent. These pillars were set up during the time Emperor Ashoka reigned in India. Most of the pillars, though damaged to some extent still stand upright and are protected by the concerned authorities. Out of all the pillars, the most famous is the Ashokan pillar located at Sarnath. Most of King Asoka's pillars have inscriptions of Ashoka's Dhamma or philosophies. Read further about the famous Ashoka Pillar.
The pillar at Sarnath is believed to mark the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. It is said to be place where Buddha taught Dharma to five monks. The pillar at Sarnath has an edict inscribed on it that reveals information about Ashoka's stand against divisions of any sort in the society. When translated, it says "No one shall cause division in the order of monks". The pillar at Sarnath is made of sandstone and is maintained in proper shape even today.
The appearance of the pillar is quite imposing. At the base of the pillar is an inverted lotus flower which forms a platform for the pillar. At the top of the pillar are four lions sitting back to back facing the four prime directions. Other illustrations on the pillar include the Dharma Chakra (Wheel) with 24 spokes which can be seen on the Indian national flag as well. All illustrations have their own meaning and significance. There are four animals illustrated on the pillar. They stand for the following:
The illustration of an Elephant signifies Lord Buddha's conception. When Buddha was conceived, his mother dreamt that a white elephant had entered the womb.
A Bull illustrated on the pillar signifies the zodiac sign of Taurus as it is said that Buddha was born during the month of April - May and also attained enlightenment during this time. The Bull also stands as a symbol of Lord Shiva.
The Horse stands for the horse named Kanthaka that Buddha rode when he departed from his palace to practice asceticism and attain enlightenment.
The Lion that is illustrated signifies the attainment of enlightenment.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
ChanakyaOne of the greatest figures of wisdom and knowledge in the Indian history is Chanakya. He is estimated to have lived from 350 - 283 B.C. Chanakya is touted as the "Pioneer Economist of India". Chanakya was the adviser and Prime Minister of Emperor Chandragupta. Chanakya was a professor at the University of Takshila (located in present day Pakistan) and was an expert in commerce, warfare, economics, etc. His famous works include Chanakya Neeti, Arthashastra and Neetishastra. Read this biography of Kautilya that covers his interesting life history.
Chanakya is also known by the name of Kautilya and Vishnugupta as is mentioned in his text. His famous work called Arthashastra is a classic example of statecraft and politics and is read in Europe even today. It basically consists of the principles of politics and how the state works. An able ruler has to be a ruthless leader to make sure that the state works smoothly and efficiently. The legends associated with Chanakya are very interesting and provide a testimony of his greatness.
Legends:
When Chanakya was born he had a full set of teeth, which is a sign that he would become a king or an emperor. But since he was born in a Brahmin family, it was considered inappropriate. Thus, his teeth were broken and it was predicted that he would make another person a king and rule through him.
Even as a child, Chanakya had the qualities of a born leader. His level of knowledge was beyond children of his age.
Chanakya was thrown out of the court of King Nanda as he was a blunt man and spoke his mind clearly. Chanakya swore he would take revenge.
Chanakya comes across Chandragupta as a young child. Even at that age, he was a born leader and showed the qualities of an able Emperor. He was the guiding force behind Chandragupta and the vital person who made him an able Emperor.
Chanakya adds poison in little amounts daily in Chandragupta's food in order to make him immune to poison, lest some enemy tries to poison him.
However Chandragupta was unaware about this and once gave a little food to his wife who was in the ninth month of pregnancy. She didn't survive but Chanakya cut open her belly and took out the baby.
This baby grew up to become an able emperor named Bindusara. He had a minister named Subandhu who did not like Chanakya. He told Bindusara that Chanakya had killed his mother.
Without assessing facts, Bindusara confronted Chanakya. On knowing the whole story, he felt ashamed at his hasty actions and begged for forgiveness. He asked Subandhu to go and apologize and make Chanakya come back.
Subandhu was very cunning and on the pretext of going to apologize to Chanakya, he killed him. Thus, ended the life of a great person like Chanakya just because of political rivalry.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Chandragupta Maurya
Known as the founder of Mauryan Empire, King Chandragupta Maurya is considered to be one of the most able rulers who ruled and unified India. Chandragupta Maurya ruled from 320 - 298 B.C approximately. He is considered to be one of the most authentic and able rulers of India. The life history of Chandragupta Maurya is very intriguing and inspiring. Check out this short biography of Chandragupta Maurya.
Chandragupta Maurya was successful in unifying India as a single unit and is thus regarded as a unifier. Before Chandragupta became a powerful emperor, north western India was mainly ruled by small regional kingdoms that were scattered here and there. Chandragupta's empire extended from Kashmir in the north to Deccan plateau in the south and Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Such was the extent of his empire that not just India, but even neighboring lands of Afghanistan, Balochistan, Nepal came under his kingdom.
Not much is known about the youth of Chandragupta Maurya. Some say that he belonged to the Magadha clan and was born of an illegitimate affair between a Nanda prince and a maid. As a young child he had the qualities of a successful ruler. He was first spotted by Chanakya who recognized the true talent of the young lad. Chanakya trained him and taught him the principles of warfare and other fine arts.
Chandragupta Maurya's biggest achievements were defeating Alexander's army and taking over the Nanda Empire at a young age of just 20 years. These are regarded as milestones in India's history and are studied with great interest by historians even today. After uniting India during his efficient reign, Chandragupta gave up the throne and adopted the life of an ascetic. According to Jainism, Chandragupta became an ascetic under the saint Bhadrabahu Swami. He migrated towards the south approximately to the present day Karnataka and left for heavenly abode in a small cave. A temple has been built in that site in the honor of the emperor.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Asoka Edicts
Asoka was one of the greatest emperors of India. His high ideals and philosophies are inscribed in the form of rock edicts all over northern India. The Ashokan rock edicts are basically a collection of 33 inscriptions that are carved on the Pillars of Ashoka along with big boulders, caves, etc. These rock edicts have not been modified in any way and are preserved the way they were carved during that time. Read on about Ashoka's rock edict.
The rock edicts of Ashoka are spread all through the northern part of India as well as modern day Pakistan. These rock edicts are supposed to be one of the primary concrete evidences of the spread of Buddhism. The inscriptions on these edicts basically provide information about the spread of Buddhism in India and other places. According to the information provided on the edicts, Buddhism spread as far as Mediterranean. Many Buddhist monuments and temples were constructed during this time in order to promote this peaceful religion and make the world aware of Buddha's ideals and philosophies.
The rock edicts declare Emperor Ashoka's belief in the concept of Dharma or Righteousness. The inscriptions focus on not just the religious aspects and practices but more on the social and moral concepts. The rock edicts very clearly mention the efforts of Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhism throughout the kingdom. However, the rock edicts do not mention the Four Noble Truths or the Eight Fold Path to Nirvana. This could be because Ashoka wanted to remain simple in his approach to Buddhism and connect with the common man.
The rock edicts describe Ashoka as the "Beloved of Gods". This was discovered in an inscription that was discovered in the year 1915 on a rock edict. The language used in the rock edicts and inscriptions of Ashoka was Pali. As the edicts and inscriptions were scattered over different parts of the empire, as many as four scripts were used in different edicts and inscriptions of Ashoka. These scripts were Kharoshti, Greek, Aramic and Brahmi.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Vedic Period
The Vedic Period is one of major milestones in the history of India. It is estimated that the Vedic Period in India lasted from 1500 - 600 B.C. This period brought about a multitude of changes in the lifestyle of people. The Vedic age is broadly classified into two categories: Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic age. There was development in agricultural practices, worshipping patterns, philosophical outlooks, etc. A number of dynasties and new religions came into being during this period that left a huge impact on people. Read on the history of the Vedic Age.
The migration of the Aryans to the Indian sub continent is what triggered off the Vedic Age. As the name suggests, this period got its name from the four major Vedas or the sacred scriptures that were created during that time. The four sacred Vedas are Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. These scriptures provide essential knowledge of the lifestyle during the Vedic Age. The Vedas are the foundation of the Hindu religion. Apart from the Vedas, we have two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata written during this age. These two epics tell a lot about the culture, society, religious beliefs, etc. of people during that time.
Vedic Religion
The Vedic period religions laid the foundation of the religious practices that are continued till date in modern India. These religions arose from the sacred scriptures that were composed during the Vedic period. These scriptures founded the very base of Hinduism in India. The scriptures that talk of the various religious practices are basically the four Vedas namely Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.
Vedic Culture
The Vedic period has been broadly classified into two categories: the Early and Later Vedic Periods. This has been done according to the way the transition in the style of culture and society took place. The Vedic period society developed rapidly as time passed by. In Vedic age, culture and society developed from the crude form to the refined form as more and more people came to settle and started to contribute their own ideas to reform the society.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Vedic Religion
The Vedic period religions laid the foundation of the religious practices that are continued till date in modern India. These religions arose from the sacred scriptures that were composed during the Vedic period. These scriptures founded the very base of Hinduism in India. The scriptures that talk of the various religious practices are basically the four Vedas namely Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. The Upanishads are also considered to be a part of the Vedas and contain valuable information regarding the rituals and religions of Vedic Age.
The principles of religions in Vedic Era were basically laid down by the priests, who were the highest class of people in the society. They were the ones who performed the rituals, chanted hymns and read out holy texts in temples and functions. The texts recorded in the Vedas were supposed to have divine power and were to be chanted perfectly with the right tone, pronunciation and emphasis. This was believed to make the hymns effective to the hilt and gain the maximum power out of it.
Religion in Early Vedic Period
Religion in early Vedic period revolved around crude forms of worshipping which basically includes nature worship. This means that people in the early Vedic period worshipped different forms of nature as god like sun, earth, moon, wind, rain, and other natural phenomena. Since there were no scientific explanations for natural phenomena like rain, thunder, wind, etc. people feared them and thus worshipped them. Chanting of prayers and hymns were a common practice to invoke the Gods and it was normal to sacrifice animals in the name of religion.
Religion in Later Vedic Period
The later Vedic age saw the increase in powers of the priests and they formed the highest class in the society. Religious practices were refined and worship of Gods in the form of idols gained importance. Animal sacrifice also increased during this period. With rituals and hymns taking center stage, the evolution of Hindu religion took place. Nature worship gave rise to new beliefs and new Gods. The duty of imparting the religious know how to people was the duty of the priests.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Vedic Culture
The Vedic period has been broadly classified into two categories: the Early and Later Vedic Periods. This has been done according to the way the transition in the style of culture and society took place. The Vedic period society developed rapidly as time passed by. In Vedic age, culture and society developed from the crude form to the refined form as more and more people came to settle and started to contribute their own ideas to reform the society. With the development in society & culture during Vedic era, historians had to divide the era according to the developments.
Society and Culture in Early Vedic Period
Society in the early Vedic period was basically semi nomadic in nature as people were still learning to settle permanently. They did settle on small patches of land, but moved as soon as the resources over there were depleting. They started to domesticate wild animals and train them as farm animals. As the population in these semi-nomadic groups increased, they settled permanently as moving with a large group was next to impossible. They then started to do farming on a large scale and resorted to full time farming. Their culture was that of a typical tribe. They had a tribal chief who was the governing head of the tribe. He was helped by a group of wise and experienced men in performing his duties.
Society and Culture in Later Vedic Period
The society in the later Vedic period increased in size as people began to live in large settlements that had all facilities for the people. The size of the agricultural fields grew in size. During this time, kingship evolved into the hereditary form in which the son of a ruling chief gets the throne after the chief. The priestly class developed and occupied the highest position in the society. Another significant development during the later Vedic age was that of the caste division of the society. The society was divided into four castes namely Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The Brahmanas were the priestly class who occupied the highest position in the society. The Kshatriyas were the warriors; the Vaishyas were the service class like businessmen and peasants. The Shudras were the lowest class of people who did jobs like removing garbage, cleaning up, etc.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate basically refers to the Muslim rulers who ruled India through Delhi. This basically came into existence after Mohammed Ghori captured Delhi after defeating Prithviraj. After Prithviraj was captured, the Delhi Sultanate went into the hands of one of Ghori's generals known as Qutub-ud-din Aibak. During the end of the 12th century, he established a series of rulers and this dynasty was called as the slave dynasty since the rulers had been military slaves. Read more about the history of the Delhi sultanate in India.
The extent of Delhi sultanate was till Bengal in the east and Deccan in the south. Even such a big sultanate faced constant threats from the North West and was also under pressure from internal politics within independent nobles. There was instability and unrest in the kingdom as there five dynasties that rose and fell which includes Slave dynasty, Khilji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Sayyid dynasty and Lodhi dynasty. It was under the Khilji dynasty that most of South India was conquered. The territory was never fixed and depended upon the ability of the ruler as to how much was he able to conquer and control.
The effectiveness of a ruler during this time depended entirely upon his ability to conquer the places that fell near military highways and trade routes, collect land tax for revenue of the state and have firm authority over military and state governors. Agriculture and its related activities were the main source of livelihood in the kingdom but due to continued political unrest and instability, the peasants suffered greatly. During this time, Persian language developed to a great extent at the places where power was concentrated.
Slave Dynasty
The Indian slave dynasty lasted from 1206 to 1290. The slave dynasty was the first Muslim dynasty to rule India. It is said that Muhammad Ghori did not have a natural heir to the throne and he the habit of treating his slaves like his own children. Thus after the death of Ghori, one of the most able slaves by the name of Qutub-ud-din Aibak descended the throne. The history of the slave dynasty begins with the rule of Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
First Battle of Panipat
The first battle of Panipat was actually the event that marked the end of the Lodhi dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal dynasty in India. The 1st battle of Panipat was fought between the last ruler of Lodhi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodhi and the ruler of Kabul, Babur.
Indo Islamic Culture
With the coming of the Mughals in India and the Turkish rule, there were many developments and changes in the Indian culture. Not just culture, there were major developments in architecture and art. The indo Islamic culture was a blend of Hinduism and Islam. It was neither strict Hindu nor strict Islam.
Khilji Dynasty
After the decline of the Slave dynasty, the Sultanate became even more fragile and instable due to the numerous revolts and internal aggression. The Khilji dynasty started with the crowning of Jalaluddin Khilji by the nobles. This was around the year 1290 A.D. But within a few years, he was killed by his nephew Alauddin Khilji under a conspiracy hatched by the latter.
Lodi Dynasty
The Lodi dynasty in India arose around 1451 after the Sayyid dynasty. The Lodhi Empire was established by the Ghizlai tribe of the Afghans. They formed the last phase of the Delhi Sultanate. There were three main rulers in the history of Lodi dynasty.
Sayyid Dynasty
After the Tughlaq dynasty disintegrated, the Sayyid dynasty rose to power. They were essentially the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate of India and reigned from 1414 to 1451. The history of the Sayyid dynasty is not clearly known but they claimed to be the descendants of Prophet Mohammed.
Tughlaq Dynasty
The Tughlaqs were basically of Turkish origin and the family was essentially Muslim. Around the year 1321, Ghazi Tughlaq ascended the throne and was given the title Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq. The Tughlaq dynasty was able to withhold its rule due to their strong allies like the Turks, Afghans and the Muslim warriors of south Asia.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Slave Dynasty
The Indian slave dynasty lasted from 1206 to 1290. The slave dynasty was the first Muslim dynasty to rule India. It is said that Muhammad Ghori did not have a natural heir to the throne and he the habit of treating his slaves like his own children. Thus after the death of Ghori, one of the most able slaves by the name of Qutub-ud-din Aibak descended the throne. The history of the slave dynasty begins with the rule of Qutub-ud-din Aibak. He was succeeded by two more able rulers after which the slave dynasty vanished in no time due to lack of able rulers.
Qutub-ud-din Aibak
The first ruler of the slave dynasty was Qutub-ud-din Aibak who ruled from 1206 to 1210. He established his capital at two places, first at Lahore and then shifted it to Delhi. It was during his reign that the construction of the famous Qutub Minar was started. He was an able ruler and was very kind and generous with his people. Due to his good nature, he earned the title of "Lakh Baksh", which means giver of thousands. He could rule for a very short time as he died in an accident in 1210. He was succeeded by his son Aram Shah but due to his incompetence, he was defeated in just one year by Iltumish.
Iltumish
After Aram Shah, the next able ruler was Iltumish. He ruled from 1211 to 1236. Under his strong governance, the slave dynasty was able to find a strong footing and establish itself as an important kingdom. The army was organized efficiently under Iltumish and he also introduced a coin currency known as Tanka. It was in his reign that the construction of Qutub Minar was completed. After ruling successfully for a period of 25 years, he died, but nominated his daughter Raziya Sultan as the heir to the throne. She was an able ruler, but since she was a woman, she faced stern opposition from nobles who got her murdered.
Ghiyasuddin Balban
The last effective emperor of the slave dynasty was Ghiyasuddin Balban. He ruled from 1266 to 1286. During his reign, the administration was strengthened and he paid much attention to governance in his empire. The army was trained effectively to use weapons and the production of arms and other war weaponry was at its peak. This is what helped them fight against attacks by the Mongols. He died in 1286 and after him the slave dynasty collapsed.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
First Battle of Panipat
The first battle of Panipat was actually the event that marked the end of the Lodhi dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal dynasty in India. The 1st battle of Panipat was fought between the last ruler of Lodhi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodhi and the ruler of Kabul, Babur. By 1525, Babur had captured the whole of Punjab and then he proceeded towards Delhi. The history of the first battle of Panipat was an important milestone that was to change the very face of history in India. This historical event is discussed in detail below.
After capturing Punjab, Babur proceeded towards Delhi to meet Ibrahim Lodhi. The Sultan got the message that Babur was proceeding towards Delhi with a huge army and strong artillery. But Ibrahim Lodhi's army was much bigger and he had war elephants. But Babur defeated the army with organization and skilled maneuvering. This historic battle of Panipat took place on April 21st (1526) at the place called Panipat which is located in modern day Haryana. This place has been the site many important battles in the history of India.
Though Ibrahim Lodhi had elephants and huge army, he did not know how to control them. Babur had guns and he used them to scare the elephants. As a result the elephants went out of control and trampled Lodhi's own army. He lost a lot of soldiers like that. Ibrahim Lodhi was finally abandoned by his generals and advisors and was left to die on the battlefield. This battle was the turning point in the history of Delhi as it marked the beginning of one of the most important empires in India, the Mughal dynasty.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Indo Islamic Culture
With the coming of the Mughals in India and the Turkish rule, there were many developments and changes in the Indian culture. Not just culture, there were major developments in architecture and art. The indo Islamic culture was a blend of Hinduism and Islam. It was neither strict Hindu nor strict Islam. The history of Indo Islamic culture is very interesting and an important milestone in the historical legacy of India. The Indo Islamic architecture can be broadly classified into two main categories:
Delhi or the Imperial Style
Mughal Architecture
The former was developed by the Sultans of Delhi while the latter was inspired from Islamic Architecture of Central Asia and the Hindu Architecture of India. The indo Islamic style was unique and its typical characteristics were spaciousness and width. The landscape was dominated by mosques and the dome became an inseparable part of any architectural monument. The dome was inspired by Hindu temples that had a circular top called "Kalash".
The monuments were decorated with calligraphy and intricate designs. A very important symbol of the indo-Islamic architecture was the magnificent tomb or burial chambers for the emperors. It was developed and refined during the Mughal era. The tombs were surrounded by beautiful gardens and the grave used to be placed below the memorial plaque. One of the most famous examples of a tomb is the Taj Mahal.
Though this form of architecture started before the end of the Turkish rule, it was under Emperor Akbar that Mughal architecture got its due importance and fame. Akbar concentrated on using red sandstone for most of the monuments. He blended some unique foreign styles with the Mughal architecture like combining, high minarets, gardens, pillars, etc. with the main monument. The monuments were lavishly decorated with precious metals like gold, silver and precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc. some other famous examples of the indo Islamic architecture are Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, Tughlaqabad Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Red Fort of Delhi etc.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Khilji Dynasty
After the decline of the Slave dynasty, the Sultanate became even more fragile and instable due to the numerous revolts and internal aggression. The Khilji dynasty started with the crowning of Jalaluddin Khilji by the nobles. This was around the year 1290 A.D. But within a few years, he was killed by his nephew Alauddin Khilji under a conspiracy hatched by the latter. The Khilji dynasty is also known by the name of Khalji dynasty. The history of Khilji dynasty is marked by brutal wars and internal conflicts among the rulers. Read on about the history of the Khalji dynasty.
The next territory that Alauddin Khilji conquered was that of Gujarat. Around 1301 A.D, he captured Ranthambhor and murdered the Rajput Hamir Deva. Then, he killed Rana Rattan Singh and captured Chittor. By 1305, he had captured territories like Malwa, Ujjain, Mandu, Dhar and Chanderi but couldn't capture Bengal. He had conquered almost entire north India by the year 1311 and established his kingdom successfully. Read about the main Khilji dynasty rulers of India.
Jalal ud-din Firuz Khilji
The first Indian ruler of the Khilji dynasty was Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji, who ruled from 1290 - 1294. He invaded India and built his capital in Delhi, though he never really ruled from there. He constructed another capital at Kilokhri, and ruled from there for around 6 years. During the time Mongols attacked the country, Jalal-ud-din Khilji put up a brave front and smart negotiations made the Mongols depart. They came back however, five years later and attacked once again when his nephew ascended on the throne. Jalal-ud-din Khilji was murdered by his own nephew when he was going to visit him in Kara.
Ala-ud-din Khilji
The second ruler of the Khilji dynasty was Ala-ud-din Khilji, whose real name was Juna Khan. He ruled in India from 1296-1316. He was the nephew and son-in-law of the first Khilji ruler, Jalal-ud-din Khilji. He killed Jalal-ud-din Khilji and then announced himself as the ruler of Delhi. Ala-ud-din expanded his territory into the peninsular India within a short span of time. He died on January 1316 due to an acute health condition.
Qutb-ud-Din Mubarak Shah
The third and last ruler of the Khilji dynasty in India was Qutb-ud-Din Mubarak Shah. He was the weakest ruler of all and during his reign, all taxes and penalties were abolished. He released all prisoners of war who were captured after waging gruesome battles. He was ultimately murdered by Khusru Khan and this ended the Khilji dynasty in India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Lodi Dynasty
The Lodi dynasty in India arose around 1451 after the Sayyid dynasty. The Lodhi Empire was established by the Ghizlai tribe of the Afghans. They formed the last phase of the Delhi Sultanate. There were three main rulers in the history of Lodi dynasty. All three of them have been discussed in detail in the following lines. So read on about the Lodi dynasty history.
Buhlul Khan Lodi
Buhlul Khan Lodi (1451-1489) was the founder of the Lodi dynasty in India and the first Afghan ruler of Delhi. He was an Afghan noble who was a very brave soldier. Buhlul Khan seized the throne without much resistance from the then ruler, Alam Shah. His territory was spread across Jaunpur, Gwalior and northern Uttar Pradesh. During his reign in 1486, he appointed his eldest son Barbak Shah as the Viceroy of Jaunpur. Though he was an able ruler, he really couldn't decide as to which son of his should succeed him as the heir to the throne.
Sikandar Lodi
After the death of Buhlul Khan, his second son succeeded him as the king. He was given the title of Sultan Sikander Shah. He was a dedicated ruler and made all efforts to expand his territories and strengthen his empire. His empire extended from Punjab to Bihar and he also signed a treaty with the ruler of Bengal, Alauddin Hussain Shah. He was the one who founded a new town where the modern day Agra stands. He was known to be a kind and generous ruler who cared for his subjects.
Ibrahim Lodhi
Ibrahim Lodhi was the son of Sikander who succeeded him after his death. Due to the demands of the nobles, his younger brother Jalal Khan was given a small share of the kingdom and was crowned the ruler of Jaunpur. However, Ibrahim's men assassinated him soon and the kingdom came back to Ibrahim Lodhi. Ibrahim was known to be a very stern ruler and was not liked much by his subjects. In order to take revenge of the insults done by Ibrahim, the governor of Lahore Daulat Khan Lodhi asked the ruler of Kabul, Babur to invade his kingdom. Ibrahim Lodhi was thus killed in a battle with Babur who was the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. With the death of Ibrahim Lodhi, the Lodhi dynasty also came to an end.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Sayyid Dynasty
After the Tughlaq dynasty disintegrated, the Sayyid dynasty rose to power. They were essentially the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate of India and reigned from 1414 to 1451. The history of the Sayyid dynasty is not clearly known but they claimed to be the descendants of Prophet Mohammed. The Sayyid Empire was formed amidst chaos when there was no figure of authority to control Delhi. The Sayyid dynasty had four basic rulers.
Khizr Khan
The founder of Sayyid dynasty was Khizr Khan and ruled from 1414-1421. He was known to be an able administrator and was very soft natured. He never resorted to bloody battles until it was absolutely necessary. It was his kind and docile nature that did not let him acquire many kingdoms during his reign. He defeated the Hindus of Daob, Kalithar and Chandwar since they had stopped paying tributes. Though he didn't wage many battles during his reign, he was busy suppressing revolts in different parts of his kingdom. He could not come up with many great reforms but still he was greatly respected and loved by his subjects.
Mubarak Shah
After the death of Khizr Khan, his son Mubarak Shah succeeded him on the throne. Like his father, Mubarak Shah was a wise man and an efficient ruler and remained on the throne from 1421-1434. He used his resources carefully and to the fullest. He was a devout Muslim and cared for his subjects. He was not quite able to possess many areas and kingdoms during his rule and kept suppressing revolts like his father. The city of Mubarakabad was founded by him in the year 1433.
Muhammad Shah
After the death of Mubarak Shah, his brother's son Muhammad Shah succeeded him on the throne since Mubarak Shah did not have a son. Muhammad Shah ruled from 1434-1444. He was not an able ruler and misused his power and position of authority. He lost the trust and affection of his nobles and royal force who had freed him from his captors. He was lethargic and lazy ruler who just wanted to live his life in pleasure.
Alam Shah
After the death of Muhammad Shah in 1444, his son took over the throne under the title of Alam Shah. During the year 1447, he visited a place called Baduan and loved it so much that he decided to stay there forever. Till 1451, Delhi was ruled by Buhlul Lodhi. Alam Shah ruled Baduan till he died in the year 1478. with his death the Sayyid dynasty came to end.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Tughlaq Dynasty
The Tughlaqs were basically of Turkish origin and the family was essentially Muslim. Around the year 1321, Ghazi Tughlaq ascended the throne and was given the title Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq. The Tughlaq dynasty was able to withhold its rule due to their strong allies like the Turks, Afghans and the Muslim warriors of south Asia. In the following lines, you shall find information about the history of Tughlaq dynasty and the major rulers of this dynasty. So read about the Tughluq Empire.
Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq
Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq was the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty in India. His real name was Ghazi Malik and he ruled from 1320 - 1325. He was the one who founded the city of Tughlaqabad outside Delhi. He waged a gruesome battle against Khusrao Khan, who killed the last Khilji ruler. His successful defense against the Mongols made him an able ruler and the founder of a dynasty in India. He conquered many areas including eastern portion of Bengal, a huge territory.
Mohammed bin Tughlaq
One of the most controversial rulers in India, Mohammed bin Tughlaq was the successor of Ghazi Tughlaq. The empire was spread and his rule grew. He was a brilliant person who had full command over mathematics and medicine. Yet, he was considered crazy by those who were there in his court. He was known to mete out very cruel and brutal punishments to people who were found guilty of even small mistakes. He shifted his capital from Delhi to a place in the outskirts known as Daulatabad which harmed his reputation amongst policy makers.
Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Feroz Shah Tughlaq was the successor of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq. Feroz Shah was a caring ruler unlike Mohammed bin Tughlaq. He made sure that people in his kingdom were happy and heard out their problems patiently. However, he was not militarily strong and could not sustain any sort of external attacks or aggression. Feroz Shah breathed his last in the year 1388 and after that the Tughlaq dynasty faded away in no time.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Sikhism
Ranked as the world's fifth largest religion in the world, Sikh religion was founded around 500 years ago by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Today the religion has over 20 million strong devotees all over the world. Sikhism preaches that there is only one God and denounces any kind of ritualism or superstitions. The history of Sikhism is enriched with valuable teachings of the ten enlightened Sikh Gurus. These teachings are compiled in a holy book known as Guru Granth Sahib. The book does not narrate the lives of the Gurus, but instead highlights the teachings and message of universal love given by the Gurus.
Guru Granth Sahib
The holy book of the Sikhs is known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. For devout Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is not a book or a holy scripture. Instead it is a living Guru to them who guides them in the right path of life. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is also known by the name of Adi Granth Sahib. The word Guru basically means one who enlightens; Granth is Punjabi for book; Sahib is a Hindi word which means a Master.
Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism is considered to be the first Sikh guru. Guru Nanak Dev was born on 20th October, 1469 in a place called Nankana located in the present day Pakistan. Guru Nanak is revered by both Hindus and Muslims alike and his teachings are practical and emphasize on peaceful co-existence rather than conducting rituals and performing religious rites.
Sikh Khalsa
Khalsa in Sikhs was started off by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. The basic meaning and essence of Khalsa is "Pure" and it is the title given to those Sikhs who have tasted Amrit or in other words, have been baptized. The rise of the Sikh Khalsa force dates back to 13th April, 1699 at a place called Anandpur Sahib in India.
Sikh Gurus
The religion of Sikhism was founded and established by Sikh Gurus. The teachings and philosophies of the 10 Sikh gurus have made the foundation of the Sikh religion really strong. These Gurus were believed to have been sent from the heavens above and their mission in human life was to enlighten people and spread the message of love and peace. Each of the ten Gurus made his own contribution to the religious philosophies and ideals and they are as practical today as they were back then.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Guru Granth Sahib
The holy book of the Sikhs is known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. For devout Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is not a book or a holy scripture. Instead it is a living Guru to them who guides them in the right path of life. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is also known by the name of Adi Granth Sahib. The word Guru basically means one who enlightens; Granth is Punjabi for book; Sahib is a Hindi word which means a Master. Thus, Shri Guru Granth Sahib is actually considered to a permanent living master who provides the right path to enlightenment.
The Guru Granth Sahib has 1430 pages and consists of actual words spoken by holy Gurus. The holy book also consists of teachings of famous Hindu and Muslim saints. The language used for the text is Gurmukhi and also contains chapters written in Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi and Khariboli. The fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Guru Granth Sahib for the first time in the year 1604 at Amritsar. After the death of the tenth and last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, it was declared that there shall be no more Sikh Gurus but the Granth Sahib would act as a living Guru for all from now on.
Every Gurdwara (Temple of Sikhs) keeps the Granth Sahib in the main Durbar or Hall. The book is kept on a raised platform and is decorated with beautiful robes. The platform is covered with a splendid canopy as a symbol of respect to the Holy Book. Guru Granth Sahib is not worshipped as an idol since Sikhism condemns idol worship. It is worshipped as a symbol of enlightenment and the knowledge that is present within the book is worshipped. The hymns are sung to ragas of classical music and different Talas (rhythmic beats).
Message of Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib has a very valuable message for humanity. The Holy Book emphasizes on the concept that one can attain enlightenment if one controls his/her emotions and desires and meditating sincerely. The main messages that the Guru Granth Sahib delivers are listed below.
All People of the World are Equal
Control the Five Vices
Follow God's Hukam (Universal Laws)
God is one for all
Practice Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Love, etc.
Remember the name of God always
Speak and Live Truthfully
Women are Equal to Men
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism is considered to be the first Sikh guru. Guru Nanak Dev was born on 20th October, 1469 in a place called Nankana located in the present day Pakistan. Guru Nanak is revered by both Hindus and Muslims alike and his teachings are practical and emphasize on peaceful co-existence rather than conducting rituals and performing religious rites. The life history of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is very inspiring and interesting. Read this biography of Sri Guru Nanak Dev to know more.
Guru Nanak showed extra ordinary talent since a very young age. When he was born, an astrologer prophesized that he would achieve fame as a great man and spiritual leader. When Guru Nanak Dev was just 5 years old, he surprised everyone by talking about God and high level spiritual knowledge. He was a brilliant student and was well versed in languages like Hindi, Persian, Punjabi and Sanskrit. Even though he was brilliant in studies, he preferred to seek spiritual knowledge and meditate.
He had no interest in business or working to earn a living and collect money. Once his father gave him some amount to start a business of his own, but he spent the money on some hungry ascetics whom he met on the way. He married at the age of 16 and had a happy married life. Despite having a domestic life, he never left meditating and pursuing higher knowledge and level of realization. But very soon, he left home to seek out the higher truth.
Guru Nanak never differentiated between men and ate with the poor with as much pleasure as he ate with the rich. He believed that the poor man's bread was much more rich and pure than the rich man's bread. He once squeezed the bread of a poor man and a rich man. The poor man's bread oozed milk and the rich man's bread oozed blood. This way he taught that people should make a living honestly and not through unfair means.
Guru Nanak never differentiated between different religions and considered all Gods to be the same. He condemned the elaborate rituals that were performed in the name of religion. Once, Guru Nanak visited Haridwar where he saw that people were offering water to the Sun in the belief that the water would reach his forefathers. Guru Nanak started to throw water in the opposite directing saying that if water could reach dead people in heaven, the water that he offers can certainly reach crops in his field. This way he proved the ineffectiveness of these meaningless rituals.
Guru Nanak did not believe in these mindless superstitions and rituals. He always believed and taught that there was only one God who was omnipresent. He taught that chanting God's name and living life purely would free a person from the cycle of birth and death. To make it easier for people to take God's name, he prepared the Japji, which was essentially a morning prayer. He also composed a set of poems that constitute the first chapter of Guru Granth Sahib which is the holy book of the Sikhs. His teachings and philosophies continue to inspire many around the world. Guru Nanak breathed his last in 1538 when he was 70 years old. He appointed one of his disciples as the second Guru and named him Angad.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Sikh KhalsaKhalsa in Sikhs was started off by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. The basic meaning and essence of Khalsa is "Pure" and it is the title given to those Sikhs who have tasted Amrit or in other words, have been baptized. The rise of the Sikh Khalsa force dates back to 13th April, 1699 at a place called Anandpur Sahib in India. Recently in the year 1999, the Sikhs celebrated 300 years of the Khalsa Revolution in a very grand way. A Khalsa must carry these five symbols, known as Panj Kakka with them always.
Kanga: A Khalsa must always carry a small comb in order to keep his/her hair in place.
Kachcha: A Khalsa must always wear warrior shorts as it provides agility and swift movement to a warrior. It is also a symbol of chastity.
Kara: A Khalsa must always wear a Kara or a steel bangle since it is a symbol of bondage and self-control. Wearing a Kara also dismisses all sorts of fears from the mind.
Kesh: A Khalsa must not cut hair as naturally grown hair gives the appearance of a saint. A turban must be worn on the head to protect the Kesh (hair).
Kirpan: A Khalsa warrior must have a Kirpan or a small sword for the purpose of defense and protection. It not only protects self but can also be used for defending the weak and helpless.
The story of the origin of Khalsa is very inspiring. One day, Guru Gobind Singh while addressing a crowd, asked who was ready to die in the name of religion and for his faith. After initial hesitation and feelings of confusion, a man named Bhai Daya Ram stepped forward ready to sacrifice his life. He was taken into a tent by Guru Gobind Singh. After some time, Guru Gobind Singh emerged from the tent holding a sword drenched in blood. He again announced if there was anyone else ready to sacrifice to their life in the name of faith. Four more people stepped forward and their names Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, and Bhai Sahib Singh. All the four were taken inside the tent to be sacrificed. After some time, when the tent opened everyone saw the five men to be alive. These five men were then baptized and they became the Khalsa Brotherhood.
Khalsa was also used a major military force. One of the chief duties of a Khalsa was to protect the weak and the hapless. The Khalsa had weapons with them and were trained in martial arts. With the rising torture of the Mughal rulers, the Sikhs needed protection and the Khalsa were appointed for this purpose. The Khalsa rose as a strong military force of saint warriors that protected the weak and defenseless against the atrocities of the Mughal rulers. After the decline of the Mughals, the Khalsa was declared a democratic body that could go against the Maharaja of Punjab.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Sikh GurusThe religion of Sikhism was founded and established by Sikh Gurus. The teachings and philosophies of the 10 Sikh gurus have made the foundation of the Sikh religion really strong. These Gurus were believed to have been sent from the heavens above and their mission in human life was to enlighten people and spread the message of love and peace. Each of the ten Gurus made his own contribution to the religious philosophies and ideals and they are as practical today as they were back then. The first Guru of Sikhs was Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The last and tenth guru was Guru Gobind Singh. After him, the Sikhs have considered the holy book Guru Granth Sahib as their teacher. Read about each and every guru of Sikhism.
Guru Nanak Dev (1469 to 1539): Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He is considered to be the founder of the Sikh religion and is worshipped as God among the Sikhs.
Guru Angad Dev (1504 to 1552): Guru Angad Dev was appointed the second Guru by Guru Nanak Dev himself. He is credited with standardizing the Gurumukhi script of Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Amar Das (1479 to 1574): Guru Amar Das was the third Guru of the Sikhs and he started the concept of free food for all visitors of Gurudwara. He also created the prayer known as Ananda Sahib.
Guru Ram Das (1534 to 1581): The fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das was the key person who organized the structure of the Sikh society. He also composed the marriage hymns and finalized them.
Guru Arjan Dev (1563 to 1606): Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru of the Sikhs and is remembered as the first martyr among the Sikh Gurus. He was the one who compiled the teachings of the Gurus before him and called it the Adi Granth.
Guru Hargobind (1595 to 1644): The sixth Guru of the Sikhs was a saint, a soldier and an able sportsman. He was the one who told the Sikhs to carry swords with them for protecting the innocent masses against oppressive forces.
Guru Har Rai (1630 to 1661): The seventh Guru continued the tradition of carrying weapons and using martial arts for the protection of the weak and the helpless.
Guru Harkrishan (1656 to 1664): Guru Harkrishan died at tender age of seven yet left his impact on Sikhism. According to legends, when there was a smallpox epidemic in Delhi, the water blessed by the young Guru helped cure many people of the illness. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was built in his memory.
Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 to 1675): Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru and master of the spiritual sword. He was the one who encouraged people to give away wealth in the name of charity with a pure heart and in the process, come closer to God. He was executed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708): The tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs was Guru Gobind Singh. He spread the teachings of the Sikhs far and wide and declared that after him there will be only one Guru for the Sikhs and that would be the Guru Granth Sahib.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire in India lasted from 1526 to 1858. The Mughal dynasty was established by able Muslim rulers who came from the present day Uzbekistan. The Mughal rule in India saw the country being united as one single unit and being administered under one single powerful ruler. During the Mughal period, art and architecture flourished and many beautiful monuments were constructed. The rulers were skillful warriors and admirers of art as well.
Akbar the Great
One of the greatest Mughal emperors to have ruled India was Akbar. He was popularly known as Akbar the Great because of his ability to rule efficiently and skillfully. Akbar was born on 23rd November, 1542 when his father Humayun and mother Hamida Bano were wandering in Iran.
Aurangzeb
The sixth ruler of Mughal Empire was Emperor Aurangzeb. He was the son of emperor Shah Jahan had his wife Mumtaz Mahal. He was born on 3rd November, 1618. A devout Muslim, he strictly adhered to Islam and made sure that his kingdom followed the same.
Babur
Emperor Babur has been known as the founder of Mughal Empire in India. He was born on 14th February, 1483 at a town called Andijan that is located in the present day Uzbekistan. He belonged to the Mongol tribe that also embraced Turkish and Persian.
Humayun
Emperor Humayun was the second Mughal emperor who ruled India. He was named Nasiruddin Humayun and was born on 6th March, 1508. He was declared emperor in the year 1530 and ascended the throne at the age of 22. Emperor Humayun lost the kingdom as soon as he gained it as he was inexperienced in handling a large empire.
Jahangir
Emperor Jahangir strengthened the Mughal Empire in India after his father Akbar. Jahangir was born on 31st August, 1569 and was named Nuruddin Salim Jahangir. Nuruddin has been derived from Arabic which means "light of faith". Jahangir is a Persian word which means "world conqueror".
Shah Jahan
Emperor Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal ruler of India. He was born on 5th January, 1592 and it is said that during the reign of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Empire prospered greatly like never before. The name Shah Jahan has been derived from Persian and it means "Emperor of the World".
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Akbar the Great
One of the greatest Mughal emperors to have ruled India was Akbar. He was popularly known as Akbar the Great because of his ability to rule efficiently and skillfully. Akbar was born on 23rd November, 1542 when his father Humayun and mother Hamida Bano were wandering in Iran. It is said that when Akbar was born, Humayun had nothing to distribute as a token of happiness. All he had was some musk which he broke into small pieces and gave to his well wishers. Humayun predicted that the fame of his son would spread everywhere like the smell of musk. Check out this biography of Akbar which sums up the life history of the Mughal Emperor.
Akbar spent his childhood in the rough terrain of Afghanistan. His early years were spent learning how to hunt, fight and mature into a skillful warrior. He did not find time to read and write and was illiterate. But his illiteracy did not hamper his quest for knowledge and desire to know about new things. Akbar had a huge library and a vast collection of books and scriptures. His courtiers read out the books for him. Akbar had the knowledge equivalent to some of the most learned scholars. He also was an admirer of fine arts and always encouraged, poetry, music and dance in his court.
Akbar ascended the throne at the tender age of 13 years in the year 1556. This was the time his father Humayun died after an accident. During his initial years as an emperor, he was helped by his General known as Bairam Khan. After sometime however, he was removed by Akbar due to misunderstandings. After Bairam Khan, his nurse and aunt tried to gain control over Akbar and started to influence his thoughts. But she was not successful in doing so and Akbar then decided to take the empire and administration in his own hands.
With time and experience, Akbar proved to be an efficient ruler. His kingdom never had any woes and administration was smooth. Akbar was a great admirer of art and architecture and constructed many palaces and monuments during his reign. The famous ones are the Red Fort and the Fateh Pur Sikri located at Agra. Akbar was tolerant of all other religions and did not differentiate between Hindus and non-Hindus. He appointed many Hindus at high posts in his kingdom and was one of those very few rulers who was able to win over their trust and loyalty.
Akbar had three sons, two of whom died when they were young. The last prince known as Prince Jahangir, was in constant revolt with his father. These regular battles against his own son proved detrimental for his health and the great Mughal Emperor Akbar breathed his last in the year 1605. He was buried with full honors and many grieved the death of this great emperor and able ruler. His magnificent tomb is located at Agra.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Aurangzeb
The sixth ruler of Mughal Empire was Emperor Aurangzeb. He was the son of emperor Shah Jahan had his wife Mumtaz Mahal. He was born on 3rd November, 1618. A devout Muslim, he strictly adhered to Islam and made sure that his kingdom followed the same. He was not religiously tolerant like his ancestors and made Islamic law the foundation of reign. He destroyed many Hindu temples and forced many non-Muslims to convert into Islam. Read this short biography to know more about the life history of Mughal emperor Aurangjeb.
Aurangzeb retained the throne for almost 50 years. He spread the extent of Mughal Empire to the entire Indian sub continent barring the southernmost tip of India. However, his constant battles and wars overextended the empire alarmingly and isolated from the Rajput allies. The subjects and citizens showed resentment but no one had the power or strength to do a revolt. The religious policies of Aurangzeb widened the gap between Hindus and Muslims. He had a very strong hand and is generally considered to be the last successful Mughal emperor.
Aurangzeb was a simple man who led a pious life. He never touched alcohol and led a simple life. His predecessors were lavish in their lifestyle and collected anything that was beautiful, precious and unique. Aurangzeb did not like architecture and not many monuments are credited to him. Aurangzeb disliked music and banned any form of music or dance in his kingdom. Most of his life was spent on the battlefield conquering territories and trying to conquer the Deccan.
Though Aurangzeb was an able warrior and fiercely protected his territories, his weakness was that he was too strict and cruel. He never committed injustice and remained a just ruler. However, his state policies and way of ruling only angered the citizens and they turned against him. His constant warfare and waging battles emptied his treasures and slowly the Mughal Empire started to go towards its decline. By the time he reached 90 years of age, he realized he had committed many sins and led the life of an ascetic. He died on 3rd March, 1707 and was buried in a modest tomb.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Babur
Emperor Babur has been known as the founder of Mughal Empire in India. He was born on 14th February, 1483 at a town called Andijan that is located in the present day Uzbekistan. He belonged to the Mongol tribe that also embraced Turkish and Persian. He was named Zahiruddin Muhammad and was called Babar affectionately. Babar is derived from Persian language and means lion. Babar rose to power by his determination and strength and set the foundation of the Mughal Empire for his future generations. Read this short biography of King Babur.
The Mughal Emperor Babar is described as a military genius and a skillful warrior. He is known to have built an empire of good fortune and immense stability. Not only was he an able administrator, but also a lover of fine arts and poetry. It is said that he loved nature and built many beautiful gardens and sprawling lawns. He used to organize warm welcome parties at these gardens and any spot of natural beauty. He was a warrior of extraordinary strength and is said to have climbed mountains just for exercise.
Babur was a poetic genius and his creations have been compiled as an autobiography known as Babar-nameh. They were translated into Persian during the rule of Akbar. They were then translated into English during 1921-22 and the compilation was titled "Memoirs of Babar". One finds valuable information in these works and they define Babar as someone who was very noble and kind hearted. He was a very witty person who had a streak of adventure and a keen eye for natural beauty.
Babar attained his first power position at the mere age of 12! In the year 1494, he succeeded his father as the ruler of Fargana, which is located in the present day Uzbekistan. But his uncles were greedy and did everything possible to displace him from his position and rob his territories. Babar had to spend quite some time in exiles and roam around without any shelter. His only well wishers were peasants and friends who gave him food every now and then. Babar attacked a city called Samarkand and got possession of it after a struggle of seven months. However, he was robbed off Fargana after a rebellion amongst nobles in his kingdom.
By the 16th century, Babar was determined to conquer Afghanistan and India. It is said that Babar had no plans of conquering India as such, but after Fargana was robbed off him, conquering India seemed like an attractive option. He conquered Kabul located in Afghanistan after waging a fierce battle against the nobles and the rulers. Babar crossed the mountains and somehow came to India. After waging fierce battles against the Rajputs and Lodhis, Babar managed to take possession of Delhi and Agra. After that he rapidly started to spread his territory and conquered most of Indian sub-continent and Afghanistan. He was succeeded by his eldest son Humayun who further consolidated the empire in India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Humayun
Emperor Humayun was the second Mughal emperor who ruled India. He was named Nasiruddin Humayun and was born on 6th March, 1508. He was declared emperor in the year 1530 and ascended the throne at the age of 22. Emperor Humayun lost the kingdom as soon as he gained it as he was inexperienced in handling a large empire. But with time and his efforts, he regained it back with some help from the Persian forces. Read this short biography to know the life history of king Humayun.
The empire that Humayun inherited after his father Babar was very unstable and lacked strong administration. This made him face many problems from the very start. The weak empire attracted aggression from external forces like the Afghans, Rajputs, etc. His biggest rival was Sher Shah Suri who defeated him in the battle of Kannauj in the year 1540. He was left with no option but to leave India and escape to Iran for sometime.
While he was wandering in Iran and Sindh, he met a young Persian girl named Hamida Bano whom he married. After a year, they had a son whom they named Akbar. According to local legends, Humayun did not have anything but some musk to gift to his well wishers and followers at that time. He broke the musk into small pieces and distributed it among his men. He predicted that one day the fame of the prince would spread like the smell of musk.
The Mughal Empire remained inactive for a period of nearly 15 years. Sher Shah Suri established his own dynasty and called it the Suri dynasty. In the year 1555, Humayun came back with a strong force and fierce determination and recovered his kingdom back. He ruled over most of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and was an efficient ruler. He was quite the gentleman and had much interest in astrology and mathematics. Humayun was inclined towards the finer things in life and was not a very fierce warrior. He was very affectionate towards his brothers and did not punish them even though they had betrayed his trust many times.
Though Humayun managed to get his kingdom back, he couldn't rule for long. One day while coming down from his library, he slipped and fell down the stairs. He suffered massive injuries including a skull fracture. Due to his advancing age and lack of medicinal facilities, he died a tragic death. The kingdom was left with his son Akbar.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Jahangir
Emperor Jahangir strengthened the Mughal Empire in India after his father Akbar. Jahangir was born on 31st August, 1569 and was named Nuruddin Salim Jahangir. Nuruddin has been derived from Arabic which means "light of faith". Jahangir is a Persian word which means "world conqueror". Jahangir was an able administrator who had a penchant for the finer things in life. He was not a brutal warrior but a learned politician. Read this short biography to know the life history of Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
Jahangir received the best education that was available at that time. His father Akbar was very particular that his son received the best education that was available in the kingdom. At the age of four he was taught Turkish, Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Sciences, etc. At a very young age, he was given the rank of a Mansabdar of ten thousand, which is the highest rank in military after the Emperor. At the mere age of twelve, he commanded a regiment independently in the Kabul campaign.
Emperor Jahangir married many times and the girls were from very high-class noble families of the Mughals and Rajputs. A Rajput princess known as Jagat Gosain was his favorite and she gave birth to Shah Jahan, Jahangir's successor. He also married the famous Noor Jahan, who was the widow of Sher Afghan. Noor Jahan was supposed to be unparalleled in beauty and intelligence. This was the reason why Jahangir was attracted towards her. She proved to be the driving force behind Jahangir and made him strengthen the empire.
Jahangir loved fine arts and encouraged the growth the poetry, paintings, dance, music, etc. He was also a good writer and loved nature. He penned down his life and his experiences in the form of an autobiography named Tuzk-e-Jahangiri. He was a collector of paintings and many of them are still preserved in a museum. He was famous for his "Chain of Justice", which was a golden chain attached to some bells outside his palace. Anyone in despair could pull the chain and go in for a personal hearing from the emperor himself. Jahangir died in the year 1627 and was buried in a magnificent tomb at a place called Shahdra, located in present day Pakistan.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Shah Jahan
Emperor Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal ruler of India. He was born on 5th January, 1592 and it is said that during the reign of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Empire prospered greatly like never before. The name Shah Jahan has been derived from Persian and it means "Emperor of the World". He was named Prince Khurram and ascended the throne at the age of 35. This short biography given here presents the life history of emperor Shahjahan.
Shah Jahan was an able ruler and an efficient administrator and aimed at spreading the extent of Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan was a devout Muslim and unlike his grandfather Akbar, he was not tolerant towards Hindus. He ordered that Hindu temples that were being constructed should be destroyed. He was also not a supporter of other religions and also demolished the churches of Christians located at Agra and Lahore. Shah Jahan also attacked a Portuguese colony located near Calcutta as the Portuguese were charged with crimes like kidnapping Mughal subjects and shipping them to Europe as slaves.
Shah Jahan was a lover of art and architecture and took care of even the minutest detail in any construction that he ordered. The most famous example of his architectural style is the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built in the memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to his 14th child. She was a devoted lady and accompanied Shah Jahan to each and every military expedition he went. When she died, Shah Jahan was devastated and locked himself in a room. It is said that when Shah Jahan emerged from the room he looked a hundred years old and had become very fragile.
Taj Mahal was built with utmost dedication and care. The pure white marble was carefully cut and carved to make up this wonderful dream in marble. The walls were decorated with verses from the Quran and the monument was studded with precious and semi-precious stones all over. When Taj Mahal was completed, everyone was awestruck. Other famous monuments he made are Jama Masjid and Red Fort located at Delhi. A famous mosque that he built was the Pearl Mosque located at Agra.
Shah Jahan lived an opulent life. He built the Peacock Throne which was made out of gold and precious stones. The legs were made of solid gold and 12 pillars of emeralds supported an emerald canopy. Each pillar was intricately carved with two peacocks that were studded with rubies and diamonds and from between the peacocks emerged a tree which was covered in diamonds, rubies and pearls. Shah Jahan took care of every minute detail and during his reign jewelry was refined to very high level of perfection.
Shah Jahan was captured by his own son Aurangzeb and was locked away in a fort during the battle for succession to the throne among his sons. Shah Jahan was a helpless spectator as he was too old and weak to put up a fight against the army of his son. While on his death bed, his eyes were fixed on the Taj Mahal and when he died, he was buried in the magnificent tomb next to his wife.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Modern History of India
The modern history of India roughly begins with the end of the Mughal Empire. After the last able Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb died, India was fragmented into a number of small petty kingdoms. There was chaos and confusion all over the country with almost every other king fighting for control of territories. This attracted foreigners who came promptly to India by establishing trade links and draining away the resources. The Europeans were particularly interested in spice trade with India and the Dutch monopolized this area. This led to a series of interesting changes in the Indian sub-continent.
The British came to know of the abundant resources in India and the trade links with other countries. The 17th century saw fierce competition between different European companies. By the end of the 18th century, the British conquered all and established their company in India. With time, they acquired political power and secured a place in the administrative affairs of the country. They established themselves firmly over the Indian sub continent and brought about many changes in political, economic and social aspects of the country.
The Indians however, were not open for the idea of a foreign power ruling them and imposing their beliefs and faith on them. Once they acquired full control of political power, they started to drain India of all the wealth and resources. Natural resources and labor was exploited mercilessly. People became restless and by the mid 19th century, they revolted against the British for the first time. Popularly known as the revolt of 1857, this Sepoy Mutiny made Indians realize that they were not weak and could stand up against the British with unity and organization. The revolt was crushed ruthlessly by the British but it made an impact on the Indians.
After the end of the First World War, the British imperialism increased in India and that gave birth to nation wide agitations against the British. By the end of 19th century, the Indians formed their own political party called Indian National Congress which worked with the British for the benefits of the Indians. The British did not acknowledge the needs of the Indians and Congress and slowly the Congress turned against them.
Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, etc. strived and sacrificed their lives for the freeing the nation from the clutches of the British. Many nationalist movements were launched in which the nation stood together as one and finally was successful in driving the British away. India gained her independence from the British on 15th August, 1947.
British Rule in India
The British rule over India changed the course of history in India. The British came to India at the start of the seventeenth century. This was the time when the British East India Company was established in India to break the Dutch monopoly over spice trade.
East India Company
The British East India Company was chartered by Queen Elizabeth I for developing trade and commerce with Asia. The principle cause for introducing the British East India Company was to break the monopoly of the Dutch in spice trade with the East Indies. The English East India Company established its first factory in the year 1611 at Machilipatnam located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress was founded in the year 1885. The first session of Congress was presided over by Womesh Chandra Banerjee who was also elected as the first president of Indian National Congress party. Around seventy reputed delegates that included educationalists, lawyers, journalists etc. attended the first session of the congress when it was established.
Revolt of 1857
One of the primary and severe outbursts of resentment against the British rule came in the form of the Indian revolt of 1857. This revolt followed the battles of Plassey and Buxar and the main cause was resentment against setting up of British rule in Bengal. It is called the first war of independence by many historians though it is a debatable topic.
Gandhi in Freedom Struggle
One of the greatest men in the history of India is unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape and character to India's freedom struggle is worthy of a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country. The respect that he earned for himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much appreciable. Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of India.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
British Rule in India
The British rule over India changed the course of history in India. The British came to India at the start of the seventeenth century. This was the time when the British East India Company was established in India to break the Dutch monopoly over spice trade. With time the East India Company increased its powers and started to administer the country. However its policies were disliked by Indians and together they revolted against the company. This led to the downfall of the company and the administration of India went directly under the Queen.
The British annexed many princely states and formed laws and policies of their own. Slowly but rapidly the entire Indian sub continent came under the British rule. By mid nineteenth century, the British introduced the railways, telegraph and postal service in India. This was a move to establish their rule permanently in India. The first railway line was from Howrah in Calcutta to Raniganj in Bihar. The introduction of telegraph and postal services simplified communication all over the country.
The British passed many acts that were met with dissatisfaction and resentment by the Indians. As a result the Indians formed large groups and revolted against the British. Each movement was brutally crushed by the British forces. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Rajpat Rai, Subhash Chandra Bose, etc. arose and openly condemned the British. They were people's leaders who inspired the masses not to be afraid of the forces.
Finally after 200 years of British rule, India gained independence from them on 15th August, 1947. Many innocent lives were sacrificed for this achievement and India was also separated from Pakistan. The partition of India and Pakistan spread incidents of brutality and horror in both the countries. But due to the effort of the leaders and the ever sacrificing masses, India was able to gain freedom from the British and progress till the present times.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
East India Company
The British East India Company was chartered by Queen Elizabeth I for developing trade and commerce with Asia. The principle cause for introducing the British East India Company was to break the monopoly of the Dutch in spice trade with the East Indies. The English East India Company established its first factory in the year 1611 at Machilipatnam located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The Mughal emperors who were ruling India at that time gave the British unlimited privileges and control over many things in the economy.
The East India Company started to flourish and reap profits from exports. It began to transform from a trading company to a ruling endeavor after it won the battle of Plassey against the ruler of Bengal, Siraj - ud - daullah in the year 1757. Slowly, the company got the rights to collect revenues and taxes from people in place of the Mughal ruler. However, the administration of the East India Company was disastrous and the people turned against them in no time.
During the famine of 1769-70, the East India Company did absolutely nothing to help the people and the state of Bengal was reduced from a rich princely state to an impoverished state. Almost one third of the people died as a result of the famine which triggered off resentment among the rest of the population. The employees of the company were busy saving themselves and were very harsh and greedy.
Though the East India Company had profits in exports and trading, it incurred huge expenses in military maintenance due to which it was evident that the company would be destroyed. The state government intervened in time and gave funds to the company so that it would function like before. In 1773, the Regulating Act was passed which provided the company with greater parliamentary control over the state and placed India under the rule of a Governor General.
Warren Hastings was the first British Governor General to rule India. He expanded the British rule rapidly in India. He was succeeded by Lord Cornwallis in the year 1784. Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement wherein it was stated the British would collect land revenues from the Zamindars till eternity. The East India Company did its best to remove all Indian rivals it had and during the administration of Lord Wellesley the expansion of British Empire took place with ruthless force. It was during his administration that the kingdom of Mysore was annexed after fierce battle with Tipu Sultan and then eventually the state of Punjab was conquered. The East India Company thus had the control over entire India with the annexation of Punjab.
Lord Dalhousie was the next Governor who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, which agitated the rulers of the princely states. According to the doctrine, a province would automatically go to the British if there is no male heir to the throne. Pensions were stopped and it was announced that rulers after Bahadur Shah would not be given the title of King. All these factors were responsible for triggering the Indians against them and they revolted against the East India Company. Thus, East India Company saw its downfall and the administration of India went directly under the crown.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Indian National CongressThe Indian National Congress was founded in the year 1885. The first session of Congress was presided over by Womesh Chandra Banerjee who was also elected as the first president of Indian National Congress party. Around seventy reputed delegates that included educationalists, lawyers, journalists etc. attended the first session of the congress when it was established. The Indian national congress was considered to be a royal party when it was established.
The Indian National Congress had the following aims and objectives when it was established:
1.Inculcate a feeling of national unity and try to eradicate the notion of race, creed and provincial prejudices.
2.Seek the co-operation of all the Indians in its efforts and allow them to take part in the administrative affairs of the country.
3.Find a solution to the social problems of the country.
The Indian National Congress had a royal air about it which faded as time passed by.
Though the Congress was made to improve India, the Muslims were opposed to the party. Muslim leaders like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Syed Ameer Ali got invitation to attend the conference when congress party was established but they refused. They also told other Muslims to abstain from joining the party. He predicted that Congress would become a party dominated by the Hindus. The Congress party was broadly divided among two types of members - the conservatives and the leftists. The former had a cautious approach towards the policies while the latter were more into socialism. During the moderate phase of the congress they were extremely loyal to the British but with time the party entered the extremist phase and expressed its displeasure in the policies of the British.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Revolt of 1857One of the primary and severe outbursts of resentment against the British rule came in the form of the Indian revolt of 1857. This revolt followed the battles of Plassey and Buxar and the main cause was resentment against setting up of British rule in Bengal. It is called the first war of independence by many historians though it is a debatable topic. The British historians termed it Sepoy Mutiny and Jawaharlal Nehru called it a feudal revolt which was much more than just a Sepoy Mutiny.
The revolt was basically started by the soldiers who worked for the East India Company and later was spread across the country by peasants, artisans and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of others. Different religions of India came together and fought united for one cause. There were many different reasons for the outbreak of the revolt of 1857. Exploitation by the British, imposing of their faith forcefully on Indians, etc. were just some causes. Some of the other causes are discussed below:
- Thousands of soldiers were rendered jobless when the northern states were annexed. The able soldiers of kingdoms like Oudh were very frustrated by this move and were waiting to seek revenge.
- The Indian soldiers employed under the British were made to use a special type of cartridge that was to be bitten off before being loaded in a rifle. It was rumored that the cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. This angered the Hindus and Muslims as it hurt their religious sentiments.
- The policy of annexation introduced by Lord Dalhousie was received with much discontent among Indians. Due to the introduction of the new policy, Baji Rao's adopted son Nana Sahib was dispossessed of the pension his father was receiving. It was announced that Bahadur Shah Zafar will not be allowed to stay in the Red Fort anymore and they would have to move to a place near Qutub Minar. It was also announced that the successors of Bahadur Shah would not be given the title of king.
- The British started to impose Christianity to provoke people further. Taxes were collected form temples and mosques and Hindu and Muslim soldiers were asked to accept the faith of Christianity.
These were some of the main causes for the upsurge of the revolt of 1857.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle
One of the greatest men in the history of India is unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape and character to India's freedom struggle is worthy of a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country. The respect that he earned for himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much appreciable. Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of India. His non violent ways and peaceful methods were the foundation for gaining independence from the British.
Mahatma Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2nd October at Porbandar located in Gujarat. He went off to South Africa after marriage and worked as barrister there for twenty years. In South Africa, he had his first brush with apartheid. Once while he was traveling in a train, he was thrown out of the first class compartment despite having a ticket. This made him swear that he would do his best to erase apartheid from the face of his world. He went back to India only to find that his own country was being ruled by the British and his fellow citizens were being treated harshly by the British.
Like other great men in history, Gandhi took his time to grow and develop his techniques to ensure that his actions made an impact. His faith in different religions was commendable. His listened to the teachings of Christianity with the same belief and faith he read the Hindu scriptures with. He was brutally honest and truthful and this helped him throughout his life. Some of the major movements and freedom struggles led by him are discussed below.
Non Co-operation Movement
One of the first series of non violent protests nationwide was the non cooperation movement started by Mahatma Gandhi. This movement officially started the Gandhian era in India. In this freedom struggle, the non cooperation movement was basically aimed at making the Indians aware of the fact that the British government can be opposed and if done actively, it will keep a check on them. Thus, educational institutions were boycotted, foreign goods were boycotted, and people let go off their nominated seats in government institutions. Though the movement failed, Indians awakened to the concept of going against the British.
Civil Disobedience Movement
Gandhi again took off with another non violent movement known as the civil disobedience movement. This movement was more active than the non cooperation movement and brought about a revolution of sorts. This movement aimed at bringing the British administration to a stop by withdrawing support from everything. There was agitation against land revenue, abolition of salt tax, cutting down military expenditure, levying duty on foreign cloth, etc. A very important movement was that of Salt Satyagraha where Gandhi undertook the Dandi march as a protest against the Salt tax.
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement was launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in August 1942. The main aim for launching this movement was to bring the British to negotiate with the Indian leaders. It was a call for immediate independence of India and the slogan of "Do or Die" was adopted for the same. However the leaders were arrested soon after Gandhi's speech and were put in jail by British officials. Gandhi went on a fast for 21 days demanding the release of the leaders despite his failing health. The British had to secure the release of the leaders.
India Independence
After the Quit India Movement the freedom struggle got even more intense and passionate. Entire India was united together in the movement for freedom. Everyone contributed what they could in the freedom struggle. The cry of Purna Swaraj or complete independence was raised. After much sacrifices and efforts, India gained its independence on the 15th August, 1947.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Medieval History of India
The medieval era in India starts approximately with the rise of the Rajputs. The Rajputs were an image of feudalism and chivalry. Though they were devoted warriors, the Rajputs fought among themselves and weakened their empire. The medieval history of India is largely dominated by incidents of foreign rule and invasion due to lack of stability in Indian rulers. This was the main reason that attracted invaders from outside India to come here and establish their kingdoms. The Indian medeival history is full of such incidents where you find foreign rulers coming here and ruling India.
The weakening of the Rajputs attracted the Turks who invaded India on every given opportunity. The Turks were not just interested in India's wealth but also wanted to establish their empires and take over other kingdoms. The ruler of Delhi and one of the bravest Rajput soldiers Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated by the Turkish invader Mohammad Ghori. He captured Delhi and appointed one of the military slaves Qutub-ud-din Aibak as the in-charge. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started a series of new rulers and thus arose the Slave dynasty. This marked the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate.
After the Slave dynasty came the Khilji dynasty. The Khilji dynasty was marked by gruesome battles and capturing of power from one another. The last ruler of the Khilji dynasty was not an able ruler and was murdered which ended the Khilji dynasty. Then came the Tughlaqs, Sayyids and Lodhis who ruled Delhi one after the other in quick succession. After this, the first battle of Panipat took place which marked the end of the Lodhi dynasty and the start of the Mughal rule in India. Medieval India also saw the rise of a culture called Sikhism and was also influenced by Sufism. Medieval architecture was a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architectures. Our related sections shall discuss each and every aspect in detail.
Bahamani Kingdom
The Bahamani kingdom in India extended from the northern Deccan region to the river Krishna. This empire was founded by Hasan Gangu who waged a battle against Muhammad bin Tughlaq and freed the Bahamani kingdom.
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire was founded by the great warrior Chatrapati Shivaji during the year 1674. The Indian Maratha confederacy was established at the area around Pune from Bijapur. The Marathas came to power as the Mughals started to decline around the 17th century.
Post Mughal Kingdoms
The Mughal era saw its decline during the reign of the Emperor Aurangzeb. He was one of the last great Mughal rulers who ruled India and when he died at the age of ninety, there were around 17 major plaintiffs for the throne. Aurangzeb sadly saw his sons and grandsons fight against each other to claim the throne.
History of Rajputs
During the 7th and 8th century emerged a new clan of people who came to be known as Rajputs. They basically belonged to the warrior class of people and were located in Rajasthan and some central parts of India. However there is conflict regarding the rise of the Rajputs and there are many theories that put forward different incidents that led to the rise of the Rajput empire.
Chhatrapati Shivaji
One of the most able administrators and ruler in India was undoubtedly Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire in India. With his flawless warrior skills and unlimited courage, he ruled the Deccan region, parts of central India and parts of modern day Pakistan with a firm hand.
Sufism
Sufism is basically a religion based on the truth of life. It is a mystic tradition that consists of a varied range of ideas and practices that emphasize on the attainment of divine love and compassion of the heart. In the 14th century, a Sufi saint wrote a book known as the "Principles of Sufism" that defines the essence of Sufism as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God".
Turkish Invasion
The Medieval Period in India starts with the Turkish invasion. With the death of Harshvardhana, an era of feudalism rose in India. There was a lot of political disheveling in the north India and everyone was too busy capturing small kingdoms than to take notice of the aggressive invasion of the Turks.
Vijayanagar Empire
Vijayanagar Empire was an empire established in the southern state of Karnataka in India. It covered the entire Deccan region of Peninsular India. The Vijayanagar Empire was founded by a ruler named Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I around 1336.
Alauddin Khilji
The second ruler of the Khilji dynasty in India was Alauddin Khilji. He was the nephew as well as the son-in-law of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji. During the reign of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji, Alauddin Khilji was appointed the Governor of Awadh and Kara. However, he wanted to consolidate his position by becoming the ruler of the Khilji dynasty.
Bhakti Movement
The Bhakti movement in India took place as an effort to inculcate loving devotion and belief in God. The Bhakti movement in India aimed at the principle of monotheism, i.e. existence of one God. It started in the South of India and slowly spread to the north of India.
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was the second Tughlaq ruler of Delhi. He was born in 1325 and ruled Delhi from 1325 to 1351. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was the eldest son of the founder of Tughlaq dynasty in India, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq is supposed to have killed his father to gain authority to the throne.
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate basically refers to the Muslim rulers who ruled India through Delhi. This basically came into existence after Mohammed Ghori captured Delhi after defeating Prithviraj. After Prithviraj was captured, the Delhi Sultanate went into the hands of one of Ghori's generals known as Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire in India lasted from 1526 to 1858. The Mughal dynasty was established by able Muslim rulers who came from the present day Uzbekistan. The Mughal rule in India saw the country being united as one single unit and being administered under one single powerful ruler.
Sikhism
Ranked as the world's fifth largest religion in the world, Sikh religion was founded around 500 years ago by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Today the religion has over 20 million strong devotees all over the world. Sikhism preaches that there is only one God and denounces any kind of ritualism or superstitions.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Bahamani Kingdom
The Bahamani kingdom in India extended from the northern Deccan region to the river Krishna. This empire was founded by Hasan Gangu who waged a battle against Muhammad bin Tughlaq and freed the Bahamani kingdom. He ruled under the title of Bahman Shah and was declared the founder of the Bahamani dynasty. This kingdom was in constant war with the Vijayanagar kingdom which was located to the south of the Bahamani kingdom. The Bahamani kingdom was founded around the year 1346. Read about the history of Bahamani kingdom.
One of the most notable rulers of the Bahamani kingdom was Firuz Shah Bahamani who waged three battles against the Vijayanagar Empire. He was a learned man who had the knowledge of numerous religious as well as natural sciences. He always wanted to develop the Deccan region as the cultural hub of India. Though he was a devout Muslim, the only vices he was extravagant on were drinking wine and listening to music. Firuz Shah was asked to give up his kingdom and throne for his brother Ahmed Shah I who was considered to be a saint because of his connection with the Sufi saint Gesu Daraz. He annexed the territories of Warangal.
With the invasion of Warangal, the balance of power in south of India changed to a large extent. The kingdom of the Bahamani extended and expanded its control rapidly. This was under the minister Mahmud Gawan. The nobles in the Bahamani kingdom were always causing problems by going against one another too often. They were broadly classified into two categories that is Deccanis (old comers) and the Afaquis (new comers). Mahmud Gawan was categorized as Afaqui and hence it was difficult for him to win the trust and confidence of the Deccanis. His policy of appeasement only made matters worse and could not stop both the parties from going against each other. Mahmud Gawan was executed at the age of seventy by Muhammad Shah of Deccan in the year 1482.
The chief economic activity in the Bahamani kingdom was agriculture and the main revenue of the state was produced in the form of agricultural products. The Bahamani kingdom flourished in architectural monuments. The best example would be the Gol Gumbaz, which is the largest dome in the world. Another famous monument is the Charminar located at Hyderabad. The Bahamani kingdom was like a cultural bridge between the north and south and the culture that developed during this time was a blend of both north and south styles and also had its own distinct styles. This style also influenced the Mughal culture.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire was founded by the great warrior Chatrapati Shivaji during the year 1674. The Indian Maratha confederacy was established at the area around Pune from Bijapur. The Marathas came to power as the Mughals started to decline around the 17th century. The Marathas were in power from 1674 to 1818 and during the peak of the Maratha rule covered a territory of around 250 million acres. The Marathas were skillful warriors and were fiercely possessive about their land. Read about the history of Maratha Empire.
The Maratha nation was founded by Shivaji after many battles and guerilla warfare against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Though he was successful, he died in 1680 leaving the kingdom vulnerable to attacks and external aggression. The state of Maratha was ruled by Shahu, a grandson of Shivaji till 1749. During his reign, Shahu appointed a Peshwa or a prime minister who would act as the head of the state under certain emergency conditions in the kingdom. With time, the Peshwas became the real rulers of the empire while the successors of Shivaji were just nominal heads of state. The Maratha Empire was successful at keeping the British forces from attacking India for most of the 18th century.
The Marathas were essentially a Marathi speaking clan, hence the name Marathas. The rise of the Marathas was the main reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire. The rulers after Shivaji were able to withhold the Maratha empire together thus making it one of the strongest empires in India. Under the rule of Shivaji, the Maratha Empire saw its best days. The area under the Marathas during the reign of Shivaji included the Deccan, central India and some parts of present day Pakistan. After Shivaji, the Maratha Empire suffered greatly at the hands of the Afghans during the third battle of Panipat. Then came the British, who wanted to include the Maratha Empire (which was reduced to a regional kingdom) into the Bombay presidency.
The Marathas were adamant about their territory and waged three fierce battles against the British. The result was that the British annexed the territory that was ruled by the Peshwas. Thus, ended a great empire that had ruled major parts of central and southern India with a firm hand.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Post Mughal Kingdoms
The Mughal era saw its decline during the reign of the Emperor Aurangzeb. He was one of the last great Mughal rulers who ruled India and when he died at the age of ninety, there were around 17 major plaintiffs for the throne. Aurangzeb sadly saw his sons and grandsons fight against each other to claim the throne. With the decline of the Mughal Empire, the north of India broke into chaos and the entire region was fragmented into small princely states. Many rulers fought among themselves to gain control of this empire but with little success. The descendents of Aurangzeb were not able rulers and were not able to protect the name and fame of the Mughal Empire. There were many Indian kingdoms after the Mughal era that came into existence. They have been discussed below.
Kingdom of Oudh
Oudh was ruled by its own rulers who established themselves as hereditary rulers of this province. By the time the Mughal Empire collapsed, Oudh had gained substantial amount of power and wealth. The strategic location of Oudh was also an advantage for trade and commerce. This impelled the East India Company to use this state as a puppet to aid them in gaining a foothold in India. They took enormous loans and finally a stage arrived where they had almost had a veto.
Maratha Kingdom
One of the most powerful kingdoms that arose after the Mughal era was the Maratha kingdom. This kingdom was established by the great warrior Shivaji. It expanded into a full fetched empire that covered almost the whole of the Indian sub continent. But it was short lived empire as the Afghan army of Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded the empire and defeated it. This battle was known as the Third Battle of Panipat.
Kingdom of Mysore
The kingdom of Mysore was founded by the Wodeyar dynasty around 1400 A.D in southern India. Their empire was attacked by the ruler known as Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan was an able ruler who waged many battles against British forces and died while saving his kingdom from them. Meanwhile, the province of Hyderabad was seized by a Mughal official named Asif Jah who proclaimed himself as the ruler of Hyderabad. When the British took over, both Hyderabad and Mysore became princely states.
Kingdom of Punjab
The kingdom of Punjab was ruled by group of people of the Sikh religion who were actually a political entity ruling the region of present day Punjab. Punjab was among the last areas to be conquered by the British. Constant wars with the British weakened the empire and resulted in its downfall.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
History of Rajputs
During the 7th and 8th century emerged a new clan of people who came to be known as Rajputs. They basically belonged to the warrior class of people and were located in Rajasthan and some central parts of India. However there is conflict regarding the rise of the Rajputs and there are many theories that put forward different incidents that led to the rise of the Rajput empire. The royal Rajputs of Rajasthan ruled successfully over Rajasthan and Gujarat for a period of 500 years. Read further about the history of Rajasthan Rajputs.
Being essentially in the warrior class, the Rajputs had huge armies of soldiers. There were bodyguards and watchmen who were very loyal to their masters. In fact, the Rajputs were known for their loyalty and trustworthy nature. The Rajputs were skillful warriors and followed a strict code of conduct when it came to waging a battle and driving away an enemy. There are many tales and folklores about the bravery of the Rajputs. The Rajputs were God fearing people and were devoted to Vishnu, Rama and Sun God.
A very famous Rajput ruler was Prithviraj Chauhan who waged a fierce battle against Muhammad Ghauri around the 12th century. When the Mughals invaded some Rajput rulers converted to Islam, which then laid the foundation of one of the biggest pre-colonial empire in South East Asia. The Rajputs were known for their unique architectural wonders and built many palaces and forts in and around Rajasthan and Gujarat. The forts and temples they built then still stand strong and provide a glimpse of the royal heritage of the Rajputs.
With time the power of the Rajputs began to decline mainly due to the fact that they were unable to move with time. The Mughals invaded and captured huge parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. After the efforts of Babur, emperor Humayun and Akbar virtually conquered almost all parts of the Rajput Empire. This happened by not just wars but also through matrimonial alliances of the Mughals and the Rajputs. With the arrival of the British, all Rajput states became colonies of the British thus ending the regal reign of the Rajputs.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Chhatrapati Shivaji
One of the most able administrators and ruler in India was undoubtedly Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire in India. With his flawless warrior skills and unlimited courage, he ruled the Deccan region, parts of central India and parts of modern day Pakistan with a firm hand. It was due to his efforts that the Mughals faced a decline in their empire. Using guerilla warfare techniques, he was successful in annexing a major portion of the Mughal Empire. Given here is a short biography about Chatrapati Sivaji that covers his life history briefly. So check out information on King Shivaji.
Shivaji was born in Shivner on 10th April, 1627 to Jijabai and Shahji. His father Shahji was a nobleman in the royal court of Bijapur. Shivaji was named so after Lord Shiva of the Hindu mythology as his mother was an ardent Hindu devotee. Since childhood, Shivaji was brave and never feared anything. There are many instances in his childhood that show he was a born ruler. At the young age of fourteen, he had the dream of building his kingdom. At the age of 20, he took out his very first military attack and captured the Torna Fort of the kingdom of Bijapur.
After that there was no stopping him and he went on to capture Kondana and Rajgad forts and exercised full control over the region of Pune. Around the year 1659, Shivaji took over the forts in Western Ghats and the ones near the Konkan coast. In order to disrupt Shivaji's series of triumphs, Adilshah arrested his father Shahji by unfair means and sent armies against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambhaji. However, the armies were no match for the two strong brothers and were defeated by them and their father was released. However, Afzal Khan later seized an opportunity to kill Sambhaji by deceit.
Shivaji was an efficient ruler and administrator and ruled with a just and firm hand. His government had concepts that we know of now like the Cabinet known as Ashtapradhan Mandal, foreign affairs known as Dabir and also an internal intelligence wing. During Shivaji's reign the army was very efficient and dependable. Since Shivaji ruled a major part of the Western coast area, he also commanded a strong navy force. Shivaji is known for his protective and fatherly attitude towards his citizens. He is remembered till date as a hero who worked for the welfare of his subjects and state. Shivaji breathed his last in 1680 after suffering from fever for three whole weeks.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
SufismSufism is basically a religion based on the truth of life. It is a mystic tradition that consists of a varied range of ideas and practices that emphasize on the attainment of divine love and compassion of the heart. In the 14th century, a Sufi saint wrote a book known as the "Principles of Sufism" that defines the essence of Sufism as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God". Universal Sufism has been defined by great Sufi masters as a way to travel to the presence of the Divine force and fill oneself with inner beauty and compassion. Read about the teachings and history of Sufi religion.
History of Sufism
Sufism is said to have been originated near a place called Basra located in Iraq. The Muslims located in this region started off this religion as a path to reach the divine. The divine form who is worshipped in Sufism is Prophet Mohammed and all schools of Sufism consider the Prophet as the manifestation of God. This is one reason why Sufi is considered to have branched from Islam. However, ancient Islamic scriptures have no mention of Sufism in them. Some scholars hold the view that Sufism is the evolution of Islam in a more spiritual and mystic direction. Sufism in its earlier stages was recited and meditated from the Quran.
Sufi Saints in India
India is the land of spiritualism. Some of the major religions of the world have been started over here. Sufism has also been present in India since a long time and even today we find a number of Sufi followers here. Some of the popular Sufi saints of India have been discussed below.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti was one of the most famous Sufi saints in India. He is the founder of the Chishtiya order in India. He was born in Persia and is said to be a direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad. He settled in Ajmer in India from where he preached the principles of Sufism to all. He had a massive following and even today, people irrespective of their religions are adopting his principles of Sufism. Every year, his death anniversary is celebrated in Ajmer at his tomb when thousands of believers gather to pay respect to this great Sufi saint.
Hazrat Nizam-Ud-Din
Another famous Sufi saint of the Chisti order in India was Hazrat Khwaja Nizam-ud-din Auliya, who was popularly known as Hazrat Nizam-ud-Din. His real name was Mohammad and at the age of 20, he became the student of Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakkar. He was revered saint who is supposed to have been the master of Amir Khusro. His shrine located in Delhi is a popular attraction for Sufi followers.
Bulleh Shah
Baba Bulleh Shah was a revered Sufi saint of India whose real name was Abdullah Shah. He preached his teachings and principles in Punjab. During the time he was at his peak, there was much unrest between Muslims and Sikhs. He preached nothing but the truth and his words of wisdom pacified those affected by the constant tiffs between Muslims and Sikhs. Through his poems, he criticized the orthodox religious systems that were prevalent during his time. His poems were written in Punjabi and Sindhi as these were languages that common people could read and understand.
Sufi Practices
Given below is information about the various practices in Sufism that form a part of this religion.
Dhikr
Dhikr is basically about remembering God for all Sufis. According to Islam, one who engages in Dhikr has awareness of God. It basically includes chanting of God's name and reciting sections of the Quran. It has similarities with the Jewish Merkavah practice of meditation used to attain a higher level of consciousness. This can be done through singing, dance, meditative music, swirling, etc. that finally leads to a trance.
Hadhra
The Hadhra basically consists of various forms of Dhikr, songs and dances that are used to appeal God and Angels. The word Hadhra is Arabic and it means "Presence".
Qawwali
In Sufism, Qawwali is the devotional form of music, which is common in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, etc. The Qawwali is known for its worldly appeal and transcends all bounds and limitations of countries and different regions. Some of the modern day masters of Qawwali are Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Sabri Brothers.
Sama
Sama is an Arabic word which means listening. In Sufis, the holy ritual of whirling dance is known as Sama. It is basically an act of devotion that takes a person to a higher level of consciousness. The right kind of music invokes the right kind of emotion which is elated when one does the whirl dance. This helps in the process of contemplating the divine force.
Khalwa
Khalwa basically refers to a kind of retreat that a person can experience under the guidance of a Sufi teacher. There is a belief in Sufism that all prophets must have retreated into seclusion at some point of time in order to derive inspiration and divine power. Thus, the Sufis practice retreat in order to concentrate on the divinity of the Almighty.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Turkish Invasion
The Medieval Period in India starts with the Turkish invasion. With the death of Harshvardhana, an era of feudalism rose in India. There was a lot of political disheveling in the north India and everyone was too busy capturing small kingdoms than to take notice of the aggressive invasion of the Turks. The Turkish invasion in India took place around the 11th century with the Mahmud of Ghazni raiding the country all the way from Afghanistan. He gained his victory against the Hindushahi kings of Peshawar. The next targets were the Muslim rulers of Multan.
Mahmud of Ghazni plundered India 17 times in a short time span of around 25 years and looted India off its wealth and resources. The areas around Gujarat and Kannauj were rich and prosperous and were looted mercilessly by Mahmud. This wealth helped him consolidate his hold and power over northern India. He made many palaces and mosques with the looted wealth in Ghazni located in central Asia. After plundering India many times, he finally died in Ghazni in 1030 A.D.
The Rajput kings were fighting among themselves for the possession of princely states during the 11th and 12th centuries. They seized every slight opportunity to engage wars against each other. This was also the time when Prithviraj rose to power and married the daughter of the king Jaichand of Kannauj by abducting her from the middle of her wedding. At this time, Mohammed Ghori was planning to invade India and the Rajput king thought he just wanted to loot India and go back. Thus, he decided to become an ally of Mohammed Ghori and help him defeat Prithviraj.
But when he came to know that Ghori wanted to establish a kingdom here, he half heartedly joined Prithviraj along with other Rajput kings and together they were able to defeat Mohammed Ghori. But Prithviraj let him go when Ghori appealed to him. However, the very next year the Afghans launched another attack on Prithviraj and defeated him badly at the war. Ghori however, did not set Prithviraj free and the kingdoms of Prithviraj went in the hands of Qutub-ud-din. With the conquest of Mohammed Ghori, India saw for the first time a proper dynastic rule.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Vijayanagar Empire
Vijayanagar Empire was an empire established in the southern state of Karnataka in India. It covered the entire Deccan region of Peninsular India. The Vijayanagar Empire was founded by a ruler named Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I around 1336. The Vijayanagar dynasty receives its name from the capital city of Vijayanagar. The ruins of this city surround the modern city of Hampi and are declared a World Heritage Site. Read further about the Vijayanagar Empire.
The Vijayanagar Empire was famous for its rich heritage and beautifully constructed monuments that were spread over Southern India. The rich cultural heritage of South India was the main inspiration for temple architectural styles. The construction style of Hindu temples was inspired from the blending of different faiths and languages. Local granite was used in building temples first in the Deccan region and then in the Dravidian regions. The rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire were admirers of fine arts and encouraged people to indulge themselves in music, dance and handicrafts.
Trade and commerce was carried on vigorously and this brought about new ideas and a multitude of changes in the kingdom. Irrigation and water management systems were enhanced and developed during the Vijayanagar dynasty. Languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Sanskrit developed and literature reached new heights. South Indian classical music known as Carnatic music developed tremendously and achieved its current form. Vijayanagar kingdom created an era where Hinduism was a unifying factor and went beyond all boundaries of language and beliefs.
The Vijayanagar Empire emerged as one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Peninsular India and ruled there for 200 years. The empire was so strong that four Muslim kingdoms had to come together to destroy this strong kingdom. The ruins of this great kingdom can be seen even today at Hampi which has been declared a protected site by the UNESCO.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Alauddin Khilji
The second ruler of the Khilji dynasty in India was Alauddin Khilji. He was the nephew as well as the son-in-law of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji. During the reign of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji, Alauddin Khilji was appointed the Governor of Awadh and Kara. However, he wanted to consolidate his position by becoming the ruler of the Khilji dynasty. Due to his ambitious nature, he killed Jalal-ud-Din Khilji, marched to Delhi and proclaimed himself as the king. His life history is presented in the form of this biography of Alauddin Khalji.
Alauddin Khilji is known for his war tactics when the Mongols attacked Delhi. The constant attack by the Mongols in India caused much panic and anxiety to the government under Alauddin Khilji. The Mongols attacked almost a dozen times during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. Every time, some division of Alauddin's army defeated them. However, in 1299, the Mongols came to Delhi not rob, but to establish themselves. This time, Alauddin went with a huge army and defeated the Mongols badly. When they attacked again in 1307, Alauddin taught them a tough lesson. The Mongols were so terrified after this experience that they never dared to step in India.
Alauddin then led an expedition towards the south of India. He was said to be the first Muslim king who went to the south to expand his territory. He made a slave named Malik Kafur the army chief. Kafur proved to be a brave army chief and plundered many kingdoms in the south of India. He brought back many riches like gold, silver, gems, etc. and impressed Alauddin. The constant successes in the battles made Malik Kafur very powerful. At one point of time, Alauddin was reduced to a puppet dancing to his tunes. Finally, Malik Kafur is said to have poisoned Alauddin Khilji and murdered him.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Bhakti Movement
The Bhakti movement in India took place as an effort to inculcate loving devotion and belief in God. The Bhakti movement in India aimed at the principle of monotheism, i.e. existence of one God. It started in the South of India and slowly spread to the north of India. This happened during the later half of the medieval period in the history of India (800-1700 A.D). The real essence of Bhakti is found in the great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Vedic scriptures also talk about the concept of pure devotion of God.
Many saints and devotional preachers led the Bhakti movement in different parts of the country. In south, around 63 Nayanars or Shaivite devotees organized and led the movement. They believed in the fact that true knowledge can be achieved only through selfless devotion and worship of the Supreme Power. The Bhakti movement of the Vaishnavaites and that of the Shaiva were simultaneous and started almost together. The Bhakti movements started then, have left an indelible mark in human beliefs and faiths.
The Bhakti movement started the trend of elaborate rituals in worship places. Devotional hymns in Temples, Qawalli in Mosques, Gurbani in Gurudwaras, etc. all came from the Bhakti movement. Chanting or taking the name of God was considered essential by many saints including the great Adi Shankaracharya. The significance of Bhakti movement was that it could be accessed by anyone, since all it needed was to remember God with full devotion and love.
The esteemed philosophical schools only changed the thoughts, but the Bhakti movement changed the entire perspective of a human. It went beyond artificial beliefs and rituals and encouraged people to have just complete faith in Almighty. The Bhakti movement in India gave a rich collection of literature based on devotion, spirituality, faith and numerous devotional hymns and chants.
-
(https://friendstamilchat.in/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordsindia.com%2Fimages%2Findia_flag.gif&hash=83a6cad1e9d20a0d9769983915f186da02048a02)
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was the second Tughlaq ruler of Delhi. He was born in 1325 and ruled Delhi from 1325 to 1351. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was the eldest son of the founder of Tughlaq dynasty in India, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq is supposed to have killed his father to gain authority to the throne. Throughout his life history, Muhammed Bin Tughluq was known to be a maniac who was a crazy and cold hearted ruler. His biography states that he had a penchant for coins and is said to have introduced a huge number of gold coins with fine calligraphy work.
The greatest mistake committed by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was to shift his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, located in the Deccan region of India. He did this in order to administer the provinces located in the south. Not only did he move his entire government, he forcibly moved the entire population of Delhi to Daulatabad. However, things did not work out as he had planned them and due to adequate amenities, the capital was shifted back to Delhi after two years. The population was greatly affected by this step and many of the people died on the way due to pathetic travel arrangements.
Mohammed Bin Tughlaq introduced token currency in India after being inspired by the Chinese. Most of the coins were made of brass and copper, while gold and silver coins were kept for the royal treasury. However, the copper coins were easy to forge and this led to massive losses in the royal office. His unsuccessful experiments made him quite unpopular with the people and his contemporaries. Poor administration in his empire led to internal aggression and revolts. This weakened his empire and led to irreversible damages. He finally died while on a campaign at Sindh.