Adrija writes long, researched features on history, world and national politics, as well as social issues. Follow her on Twitter @AdrijaRoychow
August 12, 2023 11:21 IST
Historically, Manipur had a strong sense of nationalism, with its own constitution and representative government established in 1947. However, by 1949, tensions escalated, leading to the Maharaja of Manipur being placed under house arrest and eventually signing the merger agreement
Sun, Aug 13, 2023August 11, 2023 13:27 IST
Japanese control over the Andamans coincided with the Indian National Army (INA)’s occupation over the area and the internal understanding between the two, ensured that the Japanese faced no resistance while trying to take over the Andamans.
Fri, Aug 11, 2023July 29, 2023 10:02 IST
Affirmative Action in America and India emerged out of similar circumstances and was introduced without much public opposition. However, in America it has frequently come under attack culminating in the recent Supreme Court verdict that struck down affirmative action plans in universities. In India on the other hand, while reservations have generated public hostility no party has advocated its termination.
Sun, Jul 30, 2023July 19, 2023 18:09 IST
Scholars say one of the oldest names used in association with the Indian subcontinent was Meluha, which was mentioned in the texts of ancient Mesopotamia in the third millennium BCE, to refer to the Indus Valley Civilisation. A most common name coined for the territory, mainly by the Persians, was Hindustan. Yet in official correspondence, India and Bharat is what stuck on.
Thu, Jul 20, 2023July 04, 2023 12:33 IST
In his call to Indians to resist British domination, Mahatma Gandhi often referred to and drew inspiration from the American revolution.
Tue, Jul 04, 2023June 25, 2023 11:37 IST
Steeped in the need for economic development, the Emergency allowed Gandhi to carry out mass arrests of ministers and have complete control over what the media published. It also resulted in her son carrying out forced sterilisation drives in Delhi and slum clearance programs.
Sun, Jun 25, 2023June 24, 2023 09:52 IST
Archaeologists working at the site say enough scientific evidence has now been found to suggest that civilisation and literacy emerged in the south as far back in time as the sixth century BCE. But similar findings have been found elsewhere in Tamil Nadu too. What then makes Keeladi so special to Tamil consciousness?
Sat, Jun 24, 2023June 21, 2023 14:56 IST
If one were to trace Yoga’s journey in the West, we would have to start from September 11, 1893, when Swami Vivekananda made his famous speech at Chicago in the Parliament of religions. His powerful oration immediately won him the adoration of the Americans.
Wed, Jun 21, 2023June 16, 2023 15:08 IST
A lot has changed in the everyday life of this small and once nondescript village since the first excavation. Both the museum and the site attract around 1500 visitors on most days and about 4000 on weekends. As archaeologists suggest, it is unusual for this many people in Tamil Nadu to be visiting an archaeological site.
Sat, Jun 24, 2023May 26, 2023 13:43 IST
Before Delhi became the capital of British India in 1911 it was part of the Punjab province. Even in the early days of the capital building, the tussle between the municipality under Punjab and the imperial government had become evident. Negotiations over power-sharing in Delhi took place in the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly too.
Thu, Aug 03, 2023May 11, 2023 13:37 IST
New scholarship suggests Mughals were influenced by a Hellenistic Greek philosophical tradition called Neoplatonism that was popular among major empires of the Islamic world in the 16th century. In India, this helped them create alliances for long-term survival.
Sat, May 13, 2023April 25, 2023 15:56 IST
How Indian films wowed the erstwhile Soviet Union for decades, with the love affair ending with its disintegration.
Wed, Apr 26, 2023April 01, 2023 10:27 IST
Over the past few years, the Dutch government has tried to make these archives accessible to understand their own colonial history better
Tue, Apr 04, 2023March 07, 2023 19:15 IST
Published in 1876, Rashsundari Devi's Amar Jiban (My life) was the first-ever full-scale autobiography written by an Indian woman.
Thu, Mar 09, 2023February 25, 2023 09:10 IST
Australia had been discovered by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century and by the 18th century, the British government took a keen interest in settling this new found southern continent. People from India and other territories of the British Empire played a key role in settling and exploring the continent.
Wed, Mar 01, 2023February 19, 2023 07:20 IST
Tipu Sultan, the Mysore ruler is known to have been the last bulwark against British expansionism in India, and a rather formidable one.
Mon, Feb 20, 2023February 10, 2023 11:44 IST
Earlier this month, Sophia was honoured with a blue plaque outside one of her homes in Britain for the leading role she played in the British suffrage movement. In India, her role in influencing the movement for women’s voting rights remains largely forgotten.
Wed, Mar 08, 2023January 26, 2023 09:27 IST
After independence, the leaders of India and Pakistan were tasked with creating a roadmap for their countries' futures. As they set out to form their respective constitutions they not only considered logistics but also national identity.
Thu, Jan 26, 2023January 21, 2023 09:41 IST
It is estimated that as many as 10,000 Japanese people were living in Calcutta at one point. In the years following Japan's air raids on Calcutta during the Second World War, most of these people were deported and the community largely disappeared.
Sat, Jan 28, 2023January 13, 2023 12:10 IST
Although the process of listing a monument under the ASI is an ongoing process, a majority of them were brought under its protection years before the Independence of the country. The documentation of the monuments were carried out by the Europeans who were curious to map the historicity of India and later the British established the ASI.
Mon, Jul 17, 2023December 23, 2022 12:28 IST
In the multicultural mishmash of Old Delhi, there exist a few small but thriving pockets of the Christian community. The Christian connection with Shahjahanabad goes centuries back when Armenians and the Portuguese became the first to make this quintessential Mughal city their home. The Christmas celebrations here have their own special Mughal flavour.
Mon, Dec 26, 2022December 16, 2022 14:55 IST
Britain has for long struggled in determining how to best represent its Empire to its own people. In the 19th century there was much propaganda around the Empire inside classrooms. By the 1980s, Empire had become a dirty word. At present, although it is mentioned as a non-statutory topic in the national curriculum, it is hardly ever taught.
Fri, Dec 23, 2022December 02, 2022 14:01 IST
In recent years, as Savarkar’s name and historical persona is embroiled in political controversy, a section of Marathi speakers, especially those belonging to the Brahmanical caste continue to revere him as a cultural icon. Savarkar is known to have left behind a large corpus of work in Marathi literature and contributed to the Marathi language. How they should be read and received though, is debated both in Maharashtra and across India.
Wed, Dec 14, 2022November 19, 2022 12:28 IST
Over seven generations, the Nizams of Hyderabad had created a state that would rival Constantinople as the repository of Islamic culture and learning. It attracted Muslim migrants from across the world who worked there in varying capacities from traders, money lenders to military personnel. After the integration of Hyderabad to India in 1948, these connections between local and global Muslims was lost.
Tue, Jan 17, 2023November 14, 2022 14:17 IST
Did you know Nehru was fond of kite flying, and made it popular in Harrow and Cambridge? Or that he spun a khadi saari in jail, which Indira, Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi wore for their wedding?
Mon, Nov 14, 2022