From Mughal-E-Azam to Bajirao Mastani, most of Bollywood’s period movies are romantic sagas replete with tales of unbridled passion and supreme sacrifice. Indian history, especially oral history, is a rich repository of such tales vivid in their description and varied in their situations and contexts. If there is one thread that is common to all … Continue reading Ranigumpha – Rock-cut Romance
Patan’s Patola – A Weaver’s Perspective
There is an old Gujarati proverb on the Patola that goes something like this - "PADI PATOLE BHAT, FAATE PAN FITE NAHI". This roughly translates to ' The design laid down in patola shall never fade even when the cloth is torn.' With a guarantee of lasting close to 100 years and a design that … Continue reading Patan’s Patola – A Weaver’s Perspective
The Dutch Connection – Katargam Cemetery and Hortus Malabaricus
Remember your Class 8 History textbooks? One of the most interesting chapters is on the Age of Exploration or the Age of Discovery that dominated the world history between the 16th and the 18th centuries CE. During this era, seafaring traditions proliferated and so did the trading of goods. This led the Europeans to search … Continue reading The Dutch Connection – Katargam Cemetery and Hortus Malabaricus
Step – Wells of Gujarat – a Timeless Journey
In 1990s when I was a doctoral student in Pune’s Deccan College, I did not know much about step-wells or vavs (in Gujarati), Gujarat’s incredible subterranean structures that were created for rainwater harvesting. I only knew briefly about Rani ni Vav at Patan, a uniquely embellished and ornamental underground structure for water conservation in the … Continue reading Step – Wells of Gujarat – a Timeless Journey
Surat’s Dutch Legacy – Dotivala Bakery
On 2nd August 1616, a Dutch merchant named Pieter Venden Broecke arrived on the shore of Surat looking for prospects of trade. He was well received by the local Mughal governor but failed to make any business agreement as the governor did not have the power to give license for a factory establishment. Broecke sailed … Continue reading Surat’s Dutch Legacy – Dotivala Bakery
Peacock in Indian Art – Depiction in Different Cultures
The idea of India is incomplete without understanding the relationship of its people with the natural world. From time immemorial, in Indian culture and civilization both human and the natural world have co-existed across religions and belief systems. Many of the familiar elements of natural world, such as trees, creepers, birds, mammals and reptiles are … Continue reading Peacock in Indian Art – Depiction in Different Cultures
Splendours of Orchha – Myths and Realities
A popular story goes - In the remote history Virabhadra was the King of Kashi. One of his sons was Jagdas. After being denied a share in Kashi kingdom, Jagadas came to the shrine of Goddess Vindhyavasini and engaged in a long tapasya to seek her blessings. After failing to evoke response, he decided to … Continue reading Splendours of Orchha – Myths and Realities
Mandvi’s Sea Trade – A Pilot’s Story
Imagine Indian Subcontinent, what if there were no coasts! Geographically speaking, the oceans bring in moisture and that get converted into monsoon rains every year sustaining billions of human and wildlife and thus making India as world’s densest region. Likewise historically speaking, the oceans brought in revenue, resources and ideas. The Mughals might have chosen … Continue reading Mandvi’s Sea Trade – A Pilot’s Story
Toranas, Brackets and Mughal-Rajput Arches through Time
Culture is a dynamic process which continuously evolves and changes through interaction with other cultures, climate change and political and economic shifts. However, in most cases we do not appreciate the dynamic nature of culture and instead stick to our own ideas believing that they are supreme and pure. By doing so, we don’t appreciate how other … Continue reading Toranas, Brackets and Mughal-Rajput Arches through Time
Human Adaptation in Satkosia Tiger Reserve – Challenges and Prospects
A fascinating aspect of humanity is its geographical adaptability. There are terrains of all kinds where we have ventured and evolved with cultures in tune with the local geography. Among a range of geographical diversity, the adaptation of forest combined with river ecosystem makes human cultures even more fascinating. These kinds of biodiversity are often fragile … Continue reading Human Adaptation in Satkosia Tiger Reserve – Challenges and Prospects
