The halls were packed and the competing children formed serpentine queues for a chance to be asked a question by their favourite Uncle Pai!
The hall would be abuzz with excitement. The chatter of 2000 children would drown out the last-minute instructions on stage which Lalita Pai would be giving the ever-patient Jubel D’Cruz, who ensured that everything that was needed was in place. As for Uncle Pai, he would be as excited as the children, jumping from one side of the stage to the other while his team arranged the children in neat long queues on two sides of the hall. There was a highly electric atmosphere at the beginning of every ACK quiz show.
Waiting in eager anticipation for the visual clue to be flashed on the screen.
There would be so much energy and crackling anticipation as each child clutched the number the team would have handed over and stood in a constantly fidgety line waiting for her or his turn to answer Uncle Pai’s question. The questions came in a never-ending stream. On history, science, mythology, famous personalities and so many other subjects. Ten children were called up on stage at a time. Each one answered an individual question. The system worked like clockwork except for Jubel who could often be seen determinedly running after a child, who hadn’t answered correctly, waving a copy of Tinkle.
Anant Pai invited scores of schools over for the quiz contests. The spirit of healthy competition was amazing.
Quiz time with Uncle Pai was legendary. Despite having halls spilling over with children there was not one child who did not get a chance to answer or went away without a Tinkle or an Amar Chitra Katha. The maxim was, if you knew the questions you went into the next round and if you couldn’t answer, you went back to your seat with a comic!
The Comic Con is where we started quizzing again and revived the decades old tradition. The team would spend days prepping for the show.
Anant Pai held quiz contests all over the country. Schools and parents waited for him to announce a quiz in their town or city and primed their children to compete. It was a quiz contest that inspired Mr Pai to start Amar Chitra Katha and it was the quiz contest that popularised his comics all over India. Even today, there are adults who nostalgically remember quiz contests they took part in and got a chance to meet their beloved Uncle Pai.
The world has changed but it’s the same feeling of breathlessness during our ACK Family Online Quiz!
Watch all the episodes of ACK Family Quiz Season 1 here.
Avur Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was loved and respected as a scientist, a teacher, a visionary, and then as the 11th President of our country. No one would have thought that this little boy from Rameswaram would one day be honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s most prestigious award, and will always be remembered for his vision for India.
Illustration: Arijit Dutta Chowdhury
His father was thought to be a healer
Born on 15th October 1931, Abdul was the youngest child of Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma. His father was the Imam at the local Mosque of Rameswaram and led worshippers during prayers. Many people considered him to be a healer. They brought water to him and he dipped his fingers into it while chanting prayers. This water was then used for healing people. His father often explained to young Abdul the power of faith and prayer. This advice probably stayed with him throughout his lifetime.
His sister gave her gold bangles to cover the cost of his education
Young Abdul Kalam got admission into the Madras Institute of Technology. His parents did not know how to meet the cost of his higher education. His elder sister, Zohra gave her gold bangles to make ends meet even though she had little money for her own household needs. Abdul was touched by this selfless gesture. He studied hard to get a scholarship to redeem the piece of jewellery that she had given up.
His work was commendable
After completing his education, Dr Kalam got a job at the Indian National Committee for Space Research as a Rocket Engineer. There he was introduced to Dr Vikram Sarabhai, one of the pioneers of India’s Space Programme. Kalam was assigned to work with Group Captain VS Narayanan to Develop a Rato, which is a Rocket-assisted Take-off system, in eighteen months. The team successfully completed the project in just sixteen months and conducted sixty-four Rato Static tests. This saved the country roughly INR four crores in foreign exchange.
He almost met with death twice
Illustration: Arijit Dutta Chowdhury
While working at ISRO, Dr. Kalam was saved from the explosion of payloads, the dangerous mix of pure sodium and thermite, by his colleague Sudhakar. This selfless act of Sudhakar inspired Dr Kalam to work even harder and make his life more meaningful and useful to others. He again faced danger in 2001, when the helicopter in which he was travelling crashed in Bokaro. Though nobody was injured, this second clash with death made Dr Kalam turn to a career in teaching and unfold his vision for India.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was given two hours to accept his presidency
In June 2002, Dr Abdul Kalam got a call from the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The PM expressed his wish to nominate him for the post of President. Vajpayee gave Kalam two hours to make up his mind and give his answer. After consulting with his family and friends, he accepted the offer and was sworn in as the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002.
The swearing-in ceremony of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was attended by the head of Ramanathaswamy Temple, the priest of Rameshwaram Church and the imam of Rameshwaram Mosque, apart from his family and colleagues.
He initiated e-governance in the Rashtrapati Bhawan
When Dr Kalam started his tenure as the president of India, he initiated e-governance in Rashtrapati Bhawan and changed the way of work being done in his office.
He was the oldest Indian to fly a fighter aircraft
While visiting the Air force Base in Pune in June 2006, President Kalam expressed his dream of becoming a fighter pilot. Immediately, the pilots around him encouraged him to fly with them as the co-pilot. The President flew in the fighter aircraft for half an hour. With this feat, he not only achieved his childhood dream but also became the oldest Indian to fly a fighter aircraft at the age of seventy -four.
This visionary passed away on 27 July 2015 while delivering a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong.
Read the story of Abdul Kalam in our title APJ Abdul Kalam, now available on the ACK Comics App, Kindle, Amazon, Flipkart, and other major e-tailers.
Toys are not just an article of amusement for children but it also helps them learn holistic skills that are essential for the overall growth of a human being. In India, children have a wide variety of traditional toys to choose from. There are dolls, puppets, animal figurines, kitchen sets and traditional games, made out of different materials like wood, cloth, metal, terracotta, etc. This rich heritage of traditional toys originated in the subcontinent several thousand years ago in the Indus Valley civilization.
In 2000 BCE when the majority of the human population was still dependent on skills like hunting and gathering for their sustenance, there were a handful of civilizations that emerged around the globe which were far more developed in many aspects. Indus Valley Civilization is one such developed civilization that evolved around in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. As the name suggests, this society was established around the fertile plains of the river Indus which included parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and northwest India. The ancient city and its citizens pioneered agriculture, trade, measurements, urban layouting, architecture, irrigation and drainage systems. The people in the civilization had also mastered the art of making toys out of clay.
Illustration: Yusuf Bangalorewala and Ramanand Bhagat
Most of the toys found at this UNESCO World heritage site were found in and around the city of Mohenjo-Daro. The toys reflected the societal norms, the social values, the living conditions, and the fauna of the area in 2000 BCE. Animal figurines, utensil sets, puzzle games, and carts were common toys for children at that time. Most toys had simple mechanisms to provide motion to the toy.
The most common animal figurine, that is also rampantly used in Indus valley seals and many other visuals, was the bull. Bulls made out of clay often had movable necks. The bulls could also be attached to a cart, completing the entire bullock cart set. The cart came with a proportionate yoke that would fit accordingly over the humps of the bulls. All carts had solid, rotating wheels, and some of them even had a driver attached to the seating area. The continuous depiction of cattle in most of their art signifies the importance of the horned animals in civilization. Since Indus Valley Civilization was an agrarian society, cattle, both male and female played a crucial role. The male cattle, oxen, would help in ploughing the fields, transportation and carrying heavy loads. And the female cattle, cow, provided them with dairy.
Illustration: Yusuf Bangalorewala and Ramanand Bhagat | Script: Yagya Sharma
Apart from the bullock carts, another transportation toy that was excavated in the ancient city was terracotta boats. Boats were a common means of transportation to facilitate trade across the main river and its tributaries. A monkey toy figurine was also found in Mohenjo-Daro that, unlike other toy figurines, had actual details like proper eyes, nose and expressions. The monkey is depicted in a posture that resembles a monkey sliding down a vine, which is appropriate since the toy monkey is able to slide down a rope. While most of the animal figurines are distinguishable to a particular species, there exists a certain toy that is a combination of two completely different species. The unique toy has the body of a bird and the head of a ram. It also has a pair of rotating wheels instead of legs.
Music centric toys were also a part of children’s toy collection in the civilization. The most common being terracotta rattles and whistles. The whistles were often shaped in the form of birds or eggs. Small spinning tops were also found during the excavation of the city.
Another article of interest found by the archaeologists were the remains of a ball and maze game. Even though the ‘ball’ was nowhere to be found, there were different kinds of mazes made out of terracotta with different sizes and different levels of difficulty. The humble six-faced die is not a modern innovation. Several such dice were found around the civilization, suggesting that dicing or games that used dice were really common among the citizens.
The excavations of these artefacts have proven that even simple articles like toys have a lot of complex history attached to them. It teaches us a lesson that we are connected to our lost ancestors of the Indus Valley Civilization more than we are aware of.
Uttar Pradesh is home to one of the most mesmerizing human creations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal. That is a fact known to many but this wonderful state has a fascinating history. Let’s dive into the pages of the past. Uttar Pradesh comprises the districts of Allahabad, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Azamgarh, Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly in the northern plains of the country. This state, along with Uttarakhand, formed the United Provinces of India under British rule. This entire area was renamed Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 1950. The regions of Kumaon and Garhwal formed the new state of Uttarakhand in 2000 and were no longer a part of Uttar Pradesh.
Mythology
The Kosala Kingdom was located within the boundaries of present Uttar Pradesh. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Rama was born in and reigned over Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is said to have been born in Mathura, also a part of Uttar Pradesh.
Pre-Historic Era
It is said that there were sixteen Mahajanapadas or republics of the people in North India in ancient times (around 6th BCE). Seven of those were present within the boundaries of present-day Uttar Pradesh.
From the 5th century BCE, Uttar Pradesh was under the rule of great dynasties such as Maurya and Gupta. Some of the great kings who ruled this region were Chandragupta, Ashoka, Samudra Gupta, and Chandra Gupta II. Another popular ruler, Harsha also known as Harshavardhana, was also based within the present borders of the state. He was a member of the Vardhana dynasty. Harsha was able to reign over Uttar Pradesh along with parts of Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, from his capital at present-day Kannauj.
Mughal and Maratha Empire
In 1540 Sher Shah Suri took over Uttar Pradesh after defeating Humayun, the Mughal king. Later, Islam Shah, son of Sher Shah Suri ruled Uttar Pradesh from Gwalior, which was their capital. After the demise of Islam Shah Suri, his prime minister Hemu became ruler of Uttar Pradesh. When Hemu died in the second battle of Panipat, Uttar Pradesh came under the rule of Emperor Akbar. Akbar ruled from Agra and also from Fatehpur Sikri, his newly established city. Jahangir’s son Shah Jahan built the famous Monument Taj Mahal for his queen Mumtaz Mahal in Agra.
After the fall of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, the Maratha rulers seized the region of Uttar Pradesh. Following the second Anglo-Maratha war in 1803, when the East India Company defeated the Maratha Empire, most of the region came under British rule.
Illustration: Samriddhi Shrivastava
The British Period
Indians were dissatisfied with the rule of the East India Company. Revolts erupted in various parts of India. Mangal Pandey, Sepoy of Bengal Regiment stationed at Meerut cantonment in UP, is widely credited for the start of the First War of Independence in 1857. Inspired by this uprising of the soldiers at Meerut on 10th May 1857, the revolution spread all over the nation within months. In 1858, the revolt was completely crushed and India’s administration rights were transferred from the East India Company to the British crown.
Uttar Pradesh continued to be vital to Indian politics and the Indian independence movement. After the First War of Independence in 1857, the British reorganized the administrative boundaries of the region in an attempt to divide the most rebellious regions of the country. The new state was named North-Western Provinces of Agra and Oudh, which were later renamed the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in 1902. It was popularly known as the United Provinces. The All India Kisan Sabha was formed at the Lucknow session of the Congress in 1936. Freedom fighters such as Chandra Sekhar Azad, Rani Lakshmibai, Mangal Panday and Begum Hazarat Mahal are also from Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh after independence
After the independence of India, the United Provinces were renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950. The state has given the country seven prime ministers and also occupies the largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha.
In India, sweets are a vital part of social, religious and cultural gatherings as well as celebrations. Some of the sweets have some interesting origin stories associated with them. Here is a list of some popular Indian sweets and legends behind them.
Mysore Pak
Design: ACK Design Team
As the name suggests, this Indian sweet originated in the city of Mysore, Karnataka. The story of the invention of this dish occurred during the reign of Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar. One day, the royal chef Kakasura Madappa realized that he had not made any sweets for the king and the time was running out since the king would arrive at any moment to have his lunch. The desperate chef made a sweet by adding gram flour, ghee and sugar. The king loved the sweet and enquired about the name of the sweet. Kakasura named it Mysore Pak as Paka means concoction.
Rasgulla
Design: ACK Design Team
The legend goes like this: When Lord Jagannath was going for Rath Yatra, Lakshmi was upset that he didn’t ask her to accompany him. Lord Jagannath offered her Rasgulla to pacify her. Hence on the ninth day of Rath Yatra, Rasgulla is offered to Goddess Lakshmi as tradition. After she savoured this desert, the three deities Jagannath, Balaram, Subhadra entered the temple.
Shahi Tukda
Shahi Tukda is a dessert that is said to have its origin during the Mughal period. It is said to be inspired by an Egyptian dessert named Um Ali. As per a legend, a king and his troupe went for a hunt and stopped at the Nile river to have some refreshments. The villagers were excited about hearing this and decided to arrange a chef to cook a delicious meal for the king. As they lacked resources, the village cook took some stale bread, dipped them in a rich gravy, and made a dessert using nuts, sugar, cream, and milk. Here, it came to be known as Shahi Tukda, meaning ‘the royal piece’. It was said to be a favourite of the Mughal emperors, who used to break their Ramzan fasts with the dessert.
Gulab Jamun
Design: ACK Design Team
Gulab Jamun is one of the most popular and loved dishes in India. Though it is believed that the sweet originated in India, it actually has its roots in Persia. The word ‘Gulab’ was derived from a Persian word that meant ‘flower’. Gulab Jamun was first introduced during the Mughal period and was inspired by the Persian dish Bamieh and Turkish sweet Tulumba.
Puran Poli
Design: ACK Design Team
Puran Poli has its origins in the south of India. The recipe of Puran Poli is mentioned in the 14th century Telugu Encyclopedia composed by Allasani Peddana named Manucharitra. Different names were in use to refer to Puran Poli in different states. It is known as Holige or Obbattu in Karnataka, Uppitu in Tamilnadu and Kerala, Bobbattu or Baksham in Andhra Pradesh and Puran Poli in Maharashtra.
Agra Ka Petha
Agra is famous for its delicious Petha. These Pethas known as Agra Ka Petha originated in the royal kitchen of the Mughal Empire. The dish was made to please Emperor Shah Jahan, who wanted a sweet white in color. It is said that five hundred chefs were appointed to prepare the Petha as per the emperor’s commands. Also, it is believed that Petha was prepared to provide refreshments for the twenty-one thousand workers who were working on the Taj Mahal.
Ghevar
Design: ACK Design Team
Ghevar is a disc-shaped sweet made with wheat flour and fully soaked in sugar syrup. Ghevar was traditionally prepared during the Rajasthani festival of Teej. According to Ayurveda, the months of July and August are predominated by Vata and Pitta disorders respectively, leading to ailments causing dryness, acidity, restlessness, and mood swings. Ghevar has Vata and Pitta calming properties due to its ghee content and also has a calming effect on both mind and body. It is specially prepared during the months of July and August in Rajasthan and also for the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan and Teej.
The faith of Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The followers are known as Christians who believe that Jesus is the Christ whose arrival was prophesied in the Old Testament and chronicled in the New Testament of the Bible.
Illustration: Pratap Mullick
Jesus Christ
According to the Bible, Jesus was born as a son to Joseph and the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit’s power in Bethlehem, Judea. Jesus was regarded as the awaited Messiah, the Christ whose arrival was promised in the Old Testament. Jesus moved from place to place preaching to the people. He had twelve disciples during his lifetime. He was arrested for violating the Jewish laws and tried by the Jewish authorities. He was crucified and left to die on a cross on the orders of the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate. Crucifixion was a way of executing criminals at that time. It is believed by all Christians that Jesus resurrected from the dead, three days later, and met his disciples. He was then taken up to Heaven. This belief and the belief in his teachings are the foundations of Christianity.
Illustration: Pratap Mullick
The Bible
The English word ‘Bible’ is coined from the Latin word ‘Biblia‘ meaning ‘holy book‘. It is a collection of religious texts sacred not only to Christians but also to Jews, Samaritans and others. The collection of text in the Bible is treated as the revelations of God. The Bible has been translated into various languages from the original writings in Armani, Greek, and Hebrew. As of September 2020, the Bible has been translated into 704 languages. Thus, the Bible is regarded as the most translated book in the world.
History of Christianity
According to the Bible, the first church was established fifty days after Jesus’s death in Judea. Most of the early Christians were Jews. Shortly after the establishment of the church, many non-Jews also began to embrace Christianity. Early Christians considered it their duty to spread the teachings of Christ to more people. One of the most important preachers was the apostle Paul who was a former persecutor of Christians. Paul converted to Christianity after he had a vision about Jesus. Paul preached the gospel and established churches throughout the Roman Empire, Europe, and Africa. Paul is also thought to have written thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Roman Emperor Constantine also converted to Christianity and tried to spread Christianity in his region.
Illustration: Anvita Tekriwal
Types and Beliefs of Christianity
Christians accept Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from sin. Christians also believe in the Trinity that is in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christianity is divided into three branches – Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. The Pope governs the Catholic Church and Catholic bishops all over the world. The Orthodox branch is divided into independent units governed by a Holy Synod. Protestant Christianity differs in its views and interpretation of the Bible and the church from the Catholics.
Christianity in Modern Era
Christianity is one of the world’s biggest religions with about two billion followers all over the world. Christians form a majority of the population in nearly 157 countries. Christmas, the day that marks the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated throughout the world by Christians and by people of all religions.
Here are a few teachings of Christ:
Love God.
Love your neighbour as you love yourself.
It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Whatever you do for the poorest of your brothers and sisters, you will be doing it for me.
Forgive those who wrong you. Bless those who curse you.
It is a tragic irony that the man who fought to provide a breath of fresh air to people lost his life struggling for oxygen amidst the pandemic. A pioneering environmentalist, Sunderlal Bahuguna who taught Indians to hug trees breathed his last on May 21, 2021. Throughout his life, he led numerous environmental movements that gained momentum and spread worldwide. Let’s take a look at some of the most impactful work of the legendary activist.
Early Age
Born in Maroda village near Tehri, Uttarakhand, on January 9, 1927, Sunderlal Bahuguna was concerned about many social causes from an early age. When he was thirteen he started a campaign to spread the message of nonviolence, under the leadership of Dev Suman who was a national activist and a follower of Gandhi’s philosophies. Like his leader, Sunderlal and his wife, Vimla, also lived by Gandhian principles. In fact, Vimla married Sunderlal on the condition that the two would live in the rural area, establish an ashram there and dedicate their lives to educating and empowering the people of the village. Before 1947, the couple educated people to stand up against colonial rule. Over the years, they also fought against untouchability and encouraged rural women to participate in the anti-liquor drive.
Illustration: Narendra Pardhi
The Chipko Movement
Until the 1970s, forests continued to be viewed as commodities. This was an idea that had passed down from colonial times. The contract felling of trees and massive deforestation for development had led to severe devastation of the mighty Himalayan mountains. A few villagers noticed and reported their concern to the local government authorities. Though there were many such small groups, they were far apart and unaware of each other’s plight. Sunderlal and his wife took this issue upon themselves. Torchbearers of peaceful non-cooperation, the couple educated the villagers about the importance of trees in maintaining the ecology. Sunderlal expressed his love and care for mother nature by hugging trees and encouraged the people of Chamoli district to do the same. This resulted in a unified mass forest conservation movement, which went down in Indian history by the name of the Chipko Movement. Chipko literally translates to ‘hug’ or ‘embrace’.
Late 1946, was a turning point in the movement when the government announced an auction of 2,500 trees overlooking the Alaknanda River. Agitated villagers were determined to protect their forests at the cost of their lives. Implementing the most powerful Gandhian tool, Satyagraha, the villagers formed human chains and encircled the trees. When the loggers arrived with their machinery to cut the trees, the villagers embraced every possible tree, forcing the loggers to give in.
The Resounding Success
There were a number of reasons behind the success of the Chipko movement. Sunderlal resorted to the influential tools of nonviolence and non-cooperation, which were easy to adopt and practice. He incorporated folk songs to spread awareness.
His slogan, “Ecology is permanent economy” resonated with the masses.
The agrarian women were at the forefront of this movement. Formidable leaders like Suraksha Devi, Bachni Devi, Virushka Devi, Sudesha Devi, Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Gaura Devi, among others, played a vital role in unifying the village women and encouraging them to confront the government through their resilience.
The villagers understood the impact that deforestation had on their livelihood and on the environment as a whole. They became aware of the forest rights and conservation laws which, until then, were only hidden in the books. The movement unveiled the influence of mass activism in modifying and defining new conservation laws. Sunderlal’s efforts led to a ban, under certain conditions, on commercial felling of trees in 1981. For its dedication to the conservation and restoration of India’s natural resources, The Chipko Movement was awarded the ‘Right Livelihood Award’ in 1987.
The Fight Continued And Still Continues
The success of the Chipko movement was merely a start to a long-drawn battle against many authorities and ignorance. In 1984, Sunderlal marched from Kashmir to Kohima on foot, covering a distance of about 4800 km, to call attention to the deteriorating state of the fragile ecosystems of the entire Himalayan region. He collected a detailed report of the region through this padayatra (foot march) and submitted his findings to the United Nations.
Sunderlal campaigned against the mega-project of Tehri Dam on the river Bhagirathi through numerous hunger strikes. The project did not pay any heed to the devastating impact it would have on the environment and on the relocation of the displaced population. Most of his hungry strikes lasted over 4 weeks. He undertook one of the longest fasts after Indian independence. Despite two decades of relentless efforts, he only received false promises and the dam activities were resumed in 2001. This led to him refusing the Padma Shri in 1981. He was later awarded the Padma Vibushan in 2009.
Until his last breath, Sunderlal fought and encouraged others to fight for mother earth. His legacy will continue to inspire millions in the years to come. Here is a letter he once wrote to his friends who worried for his life. The letter beautifully encompasses the true meaning of his life.
“Himalaya is a land of penance. Nothing in the world can be achieved without penance. I am doing this on behalf of all who are striving to save our dying planet. Why should a river, a mountain and forest or the ocean be killed, while we cling to life?”
The Kalinga War was fought between the Mauryan Empire of Magadha and the independent and prosperous state of Kalinga. It was a turning point in the life of Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Dynasty. The terrible outcome of the war made him question the price of his victory and its worth.
Illustration: Ram Waeerkar | Script: Meena Talim
Background
Kalinga was a prosperous nation with artistically skilled and peaceful people. It was under the Nanda Empire until 321 BCE. With important ports for trade and a strong navy, Kalinga controlled its coastline and played a crucial role in the trading world of the Bay of Bengal. The king of Kalinga was referred to as ‘Mahodadhi Pati’ or ‘the lord of the ocean’ by the poet Kalidasa in one of his works. The Mauryan Empire perceived Kalinga as a threat because Kalinga could interrupt communications between Patliputra, the Mauryan capital and its possessions in the central Indian peninsula. Emperor Ashoka sent a message to the King of Kalinga asking him to submit to his overlordship, but the king was in no mood to bow to this authority.
The War
Illustration: Ram Waeerkar | Script: Meena Talim
Ashoka led a huge army against Kalinga in a historic battle in 261 BCE. Since it was the first major war after he acceded the throne, Ashoka was eager to win at all costs. However, it surprised him to find that the soldiers and the people of Kalinga fought with great valour to safeguard their independence.
The King of Kalinga himself commanded his army on the battlefield, but his limited forces were no match for the vast Magadhan army. After a gruesome battle, victory ultimately favoured the Mauryan Empire. There was a huge loss of man and material due to the war of Kalinga. 150,000 soldiers were taken as prisoners by Asoka, 100,000 were slain, and many others died later because of their injuries. It is said that an equal number of soldiers from the army of Magadha were killed as well.
Aftermath
Illustration: Ram Waeerkar | Script: Meena Talim
Ashoka, who had set his heart on this victory over Kalinga was unprepared for the destruction caused by it. The scene of the war presented a heart-wrenching sight. The whole area was filled with the corpses of soldiers from both sides. The wounded soldiers, who escaped death groaned in severe pain. Orphaned children and widows mourned the loss of their near and dear ones. People looked listless and filled with despair, unable to recover from the damage this rampage had inflicted on their lives.
Change of Heart
Ashoka felt he was solely responsible for the destruction caused by this war. He embraced ‘ahimsa’ or non-violence The Kalinga War prompted Ashoka, to devote the rest of his life to ahimsa ie. non-violence and ended further military expansion of the empire. The next era of his rule was filled with harmony, prosperity and peace.
Read the full story of Ashoka in our title Ashoka, now available on the ACK Comics App, Kindle, Flipkart, Amazon, and other major e-tailers.
From prehistoric times, human beings have treated their diseases with natural herbs and minerals, in much the same way that a dog will nibble grass to cure an upset stomach, or a deer will lick salt to keep all its organs in working order.
The first documented knowledge about medicines in India is found in the Rig Veda (Oshadhi Sooktam) and the Atharva Veda, which are believed to be more than 5000 years old. In addition to providing mantras against diseases and information about useful plants and herbs, the Atharva Veda says that diseases are caused by organisms called yatudhana, kimidin, krimi, etc.
Over the following centuries, the study of medicine grew more systematic, and became known as Ayur Veda (Life Science). Three important foundation texts of Ayurveda were compiled in the first millennium BCE: Atreya Samhita, Susruta Samhita, and Charaka Samhita. These texts cover all the branches of modern medicine, and describe over 600 drugs of animal, plant and mineral origin.
According to Ayurveda, an individual can enjoy good health only if the body, mind and soul are all properly nurtured. The human body, like the entire universe, is composed of five elements: Prithvi (earth), Apas (water), Tejas (energy/ fire), Vayu (air), and Akasa (empty space). When these are properly balanced, the body is said to be healthy. People are classified into three doshas or types — Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata has the qualities of air and space, and regulates all the movements of the body. Pitta has the qualities of fire and water, provides energy to the body and regulates our digestion, metabolism, temperature, sense organs and understanding. Kapha is composed of earth and water, and gives stability and structure to the skeleton and all the organs of the body. Depending on which of these elements are predominant in a person, cures are suggested.
The British historians may call it ‘The Sepoy Mutiny’ or ‘The Revolt of 1857’ or by any other name, but the uprising of 1857 will always be the First War of Independence in India. Even though it was unsuccessful, it heralded the struggle for freedom that continued for the next ninety years and ultimately led to the freedom of India.
The first spark
The First War of Indian Independence started as a result of various actions of the ruling East India Company. They recruited Indian soldiers in their army and there were three lakh Indian sepoys in the army to fifty thousand Britishers. The first spark for the rebellion came in the form of the Vellore Mutiny in 1806. Both Hindu and Muslim Sepoys resented the new uniform regulations imposed by the Company, in spite of earlier assurances to the contrary. These regulations prohibited the soldiers from wearing any religious marks on their foreheads and all of them were required to trim their beards and moustaches. Two soldiers who protested were first punished and then discharged from the army. The rebels captured the Vellore Fort and killed two hundred British troops. They were eventually subdued by the cavalry from Arcot. But this voice that was raised against the British rule, echoed through the land and was significant in paving the way for the stronger and more defiant revolt in 1857.
Causes of 1857 war
Even before the introduction of the Enfield rifle, which served as an immediate cause for the revolt, there was tension and discomfort among the Indians towards the British rule. There were many so-called ‘reforms’ introduced by the British in the taxation and revenue system that affected the people adversely. The expansion of the British in India had led to the propagation of many other unjust policies too. Many zamindars who lost their lands and power also joined the rebels and fought against the British. In addition to these political and economic causes, racial discrimination and the interference of the British in the religious matters of Indians were believed to be the other major cause of the war. Indians also feared a forced conversion to Christianity.
The introduction of the Enfield Pattern rifle in 1853 was the proverbial straw that broke the back of Indian restraint. Rumours circulated that the cartridges for the new rifles were greased with beef and pork that was a taboo for both Hindu and Muslim sepoys in the army of the East India Company. The Company was quick to contradict this rumour so that the unrest could be quelled. It issued a notice that the cartridges provided were free from grease and made modifications that the cartridge was to be now torn with the hands and not bitten. This, however, backfired as many sepoys were now convinced about the authenticity of the rumours and the justification of their fears.
Mangal Pandey
Illustration: Souren Roy | Script: Toni Patel
Mangal Pandey, of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, is among the most recognised figures of the first war of independence. After the information about the Enfield rifle reached Barrackpore, he declared that he would rebel against the new rules and other atrocities of the Company. On 29 March 1857, this 29-year-old fired at Sergeant-Major James Hewson. Later Mangal Pandey was hanged to death, and all the soldiers of the 34th BNI were disbanded and removed from employment. This action spread the wave of rebellion rapidly across other parts of the country.
Seize of Delhi and Meerut
On May 10, 1857, the revolt broke in Meerut when eighty-five members of the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry were released from prison by their comrades. The soldiers destroyed the military station and killed any Europeans they could find. Following the outbreak at Meerut, many more uprisings occurred across northern and central India. The rebels moved quickly and seized Delhi next. The Mughal ruler, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was declared as the Emperor of Hindustan.
Illustration: Souren Roy | Script: Toni Patel
The East India Company acted swiftly and ruthlessly to control the rebellion. With help from reinforcements, Kanpur was retaken by the British in the middle of July of 1857, and Delhi by the end of September.
Impact
The First War of Indian Independence shook the foundations of the British East India Company. The major impact was the introduction of the Government of India Act. This act abolished the rule of the British East India Company and placed the entire country directly under the British monarchy. It also marked the beginning of the British Raj in India. The heroic bravery shown by all the fighters in 1857 and the death of many, inspired Indians across the breadth of the country to fight for their freedom.
The death and sacrifice of these martyrs did not go in vain and India finally gained independence in 1947.
Read the full story of Mangal Pandey in our title Mangal Pandey, now available on the ACK Comics App, Kindle, Amazon, and other major e-tailers.
