Archives: history

Meghnad Saha: India’s Pioneer Astrophysicist

Post author By Kayva Gokhale
Post date July 5, 2024
No Comments on Meghnad Saha: India’s Pioneer Astrophysicist

By Krishna Priya

Imagine gazing up at the stars and wondering about the secrets they hold. Now, imagine being able to unlock those secrets with a revolutionary equation that reveals the hidden properties of stars. This is precisely what Meghnad Saha, a visionary Indian astrophysicist, achieved in the early 20th century. Meghnad literally means ‘one who can roar’ (‘nad’) like a cloud (‘megh’), and Professor Saha embodied this spirit throughout his life. He spoke frankly and bluntly about what he believed to be right and wrong.

Born on 6 October 1893, in a small village in British India called Sheoratali (now Bangladesh), Saha’s groundbreaking work on thermal ionisation fundamentally transformed our understanding of the cosmos. His journey from a small village boy to a towering figure in the scientific community is a testament to his brilliance, perseverance, and passion for unravelling the mysteries of the universe.

Academic Career

After his schooling, Saha appeared for the entrance exam of Calcutta University, and stood first among the students from East Bengal, obtaining the highest marks in languages; English, Bengali, Sanskrit, and Mathematics. Soon, he took admission in the Presidency College in Calcutta and graduated with a mathematics major. Saha graduated with honors in Mathematics, earning his BSc in 1913 and his MSc in Applied Mathematics in 1915. A year later, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University College of Science, Calcutta, and he later joined the Physics Department. At the same time, Saha also began translating original German papers by Einstein and Minkowski into English.

In addition to teaching, Saha initiated research activities. Despite lack of facilities and guidance, he relied on his self-acquired knowledge and was quite successful.

In 1919, an American astrophysical journal published his article, ‘On Selective Radiation Pressure and its Application’ where he put forward the argument for what went on to become the ‘Saha Equation’ or the ‘Thermal Ionisation Equation’. Saha later spent time conducting research at the Imperial College London and at the laboratory of Walther Nernst in Germany. In 1927, he was selected as a Fellow of the ‘Royal Society of London’.

Groundbreaking Work

Saha first stated his famous ‘Saha Equation’ in 1920. Despite not winning a Nobel Prize, his pioneering work on the Saha Ionisation Equation significantly advanced the field of astrophysics, allowing scientists to better understand the physical conditions of stars. In 1932, the Uttar Pradesh Academy of Science was established under his supervision. He returned to University College of Science, Calcutta, in 1938. After getting interested in nuclear physics and having seen cyclotrons used for research in nuclear physics abroad, he ordered one to be installed in the institute. In 1950, India had its first cyclotron in operation. He also devised an instrument called the solar calorimeter to measure the weight and pressure of solar rays.

Campaign for Scientific Literacy

In addition to his scientific contributions, Saha aspired to enhance scientific literacy in India. During the 1930s and 1940s, he played a key role in founding several societies and journals, including the National Academy of Science, the Indian Physical Society, and the journal ‘Science and Culture’, which he edited until his death.

Political Career

Beyond his scientific achievements, Saha’s influence extended into the political arena. Elected as a member of the Indian Parliament in 1952, he used his platform to advocate for the development of scientific infrastructure, because of which, institutes such as the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics in Calcutta, were established.

As the chair of the Calendar Reform Committee in 1952, Saha also played a critical role in the reformation of the Indian calendar. The committee’s recommendations led to the adoption of the National Calendar of India, which is based on the Saka Era and closely aligns with the Gregorian calendar. This reformation helped synchronize agricultural, civil, and religious events across India, thereby streamlining administration and improving societal cohesion.

Saha’s Legacy

Meghnad Saha’s efforts in science education reform modernised curricula and research facilities, benefitting future Indian scientists. His legacy as a scientist, educator, and statesman advanced our understanding of the universe and laid the foundation for a progressive, independent India. Considered as the first astrophysicist of India, he is also the brain behind river planning in India, having prepared the blueprint for the Damodar Valley Project. The humanitarian in him also helped in rehabilitating partition refugees in Bengal.

Meghnad Saha was also a strong advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. He saw nuclear power’s potential to meet India’s energy needs and promoted its development for civilian purposes. Saha’s vision aimed to harness nuclear energy for industrial growth, improved quality of life, and scientific progress, emphasising safety and avoiding militarisation. His efforts highlighted his commitment to using scientific knowledge for societal and national development. His legacy is a testament to his unwavering dedication to science and his visionary approach to national development. Saha’s life and work continue to inspire future generations to pursue knowledge, advocate for scientific progress, and strive for a better world.

Read about more such visionaries from Indian history on the ACK Comics app!

A ‘Comical’ Journey in the History Classroom

Post author By Kayva Gokhale
Post date June 28, 2024
No Comments on A ‘Comical’ Journey in the History Classroom

By Mangalam Narayanan and Lakshmi Madhusudan

History is considered boring and studying for and writing history exams is nothing less than a chore. Some of the more enterprising teachers have devised interesting ways of teaching history, but what about history exams? How can we make history exams inspiring and engaging for our students?

Have you tried setting a history question paper based on the Amar Chitra Katha comics? We share in this short article, our successful effort. Most lessons in Indian history can be found in Amar Chitra Katha comics—whether it is the Indian movement of independence, or Indian rulers, or civilizations. After we teach a lesson in history, we can ask students to read the corresponding Amar Chitra Katha comic book. For example, after teaching 9^th graders the lesson on Chandra Gupta Maurya, we asked the students to read Magesthenese from Amar Chitra Katha comics as an extension of the lesson.

Once the children have read the comics, you can set question papers that relate both to the comics they have read and the lesson in their history textbooks. It does take some effort on the part of the teacher to choose the right scene and dialogue from the comics to ask the questions. But all the effort is worth it as it both an exciting and wonderful learning experience for the students.

We share here a few examples of how we can set question papers using comics and cartoons.

Question 1

Script: Shubha Khandekar; Illustration: Ram Waeerkar

Who was Megasthenes?
Name the book written by him.
What is his book about?
How was he able to write the book?
What was the spy system during Chandra Gupta Maurya’s time like?

Question 2

Observe the picture below, read the information, and answer the questions that follow.

Script: Indu J. Tilak; Illustration: Dilip Kadam

Why did Lord Curzon divide Bengal? Which year did he do it?
When was Bengal divided?
Name three famous leaders of the Congress during Curzon’s time.
Explain the methods used by the Congress.
What do you see in the picture? Which leader is leading the event?
What is his famous slogan?

Question 3

Script: Yagya Sharma and Haridas Shetty; Illustration: H.S. Chavan and Sailo Chakravarty

Look at the picture and identify the personalities.
Why did he meet Hitler? Did he get any help from Hitler?
After meeting Hitler where did he go?
What did he do after reaching Singapore?
What was the famous slogan he spread among the youth?

Questions papers based on comic books encourage the reading habit in children, which in turn builds their knowledge. Because comics are illustrated, even reluctant readers may find them easy to handle. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. What better way than to teach and learn history?

Mangalam Narayanan is on the advisory board of Leo International School, Kalher, Upper Thane. She can be reached at [email protected].

Lakshmi Madhusudan is Principal of Sunitidevi Singhania school Thane. She can be reached at [email protected].

The Pancha Sakha Poets

By Jayshree Misra Tripathi

The Pancha Sakha or the Five Friends were a group of five poet-philosophers who heralded great change in Medieval Odisha (also known as Udra Desa). These scholars translated Hindu texts written in Sanskrit into simple prose, that could be easily understood by the common folk.

The Pancha Sakha resided in the court of Gajapati Prataprudra (1497-1533/4 AD). Here they met, at different periods in time, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was their mentor. They were also inspired by Sarala Dasa, a farmer belonging to the Shudra caste, who also translated epics into Odia. The Pancha Sakha poets followed in the tradition of Sarala Dasa. They wrote against social inequalities and these works became a form of ‘protest literature’.

However, not much is known about these great men. Mystery shrouds their induction to the royal court and their knowledge of Sanskrit caused wonder, for they were from different castes. How and where did they learn Sanskrit? Did they listen to the chanting of mantras by the Brahmins at court and master the language? Who helped them understand these verses? It is fascinating to know that they shaped Vaishnava philosophy, spiritualism and literature in Odisha.

Balarama Dasa (1472-1556)

Balarama Dasa was the eldest of the poets. He was the son of a minister in the king’s court, named Somanatha Mahapatra, who hailed from the village Erabaga in the district of Puri. Somanatha was well-educated and proficient in Sanskrit. Balarama too, learnt Sanskrit and became a devotee of Lord Jagannatha. In his later years, he met Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who spent his last years in Puri. Balarama translated the Ramayana into Odia and called it Dandi Ramayana or Jagamohana Ramayana. In this work, he deviated from the original and created new narratives. He also faced persecution from priests for his temerity in translating the Bhagavad Gita, since theological and philosophical texts and scriptures had been handed down from generation to generation only in Sanskrit.

Jagannatha Dasa (1490/1-1550)

Jagannatha Dasa was born into a Brahmin family in Kapileswar Sasana village in Puri. His learned father was bestowed the title of ‘Purana Panda’ for his rendering of the holy verses. Jagannatha was trained by his father to become a scholar as well. Deemed to be ‘very great’, it is said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed Jagannatha Dasa with the title of ‘Ati Abdi’. It was he who composed lyrical poems from the traditional Radha- Krishna themes, with their devotional fervour, in colloquial speech. He also introduced poetry on ‘Rasa Lila’ (the wondrous dance of Krishna and the gopis). His notable works include Sri Krishna Lila and Artha Tattva.

Achyutananda Dasa (1510-1631)

Achyutananda Dasa was born near Cuttack and his grandfather, Gopinatha Mohanty, had served in the army of the Gajapati king. He was the most prolific writer in this group. Achyutananda had studied Ayurveda, Yoga and other sciences. His books were called Pothis. A poet-philosopher, he changed the narrative ballads and wrote short lyrical poems that were intensely devotional and found favour with the commonfolk. Some of his poems even bordered upon the erotic and were disapproved of by older Sanskrit scholars.

Yasobanta Dasa (b. 1487)

Born into a Kshatriya family in the village of Adhanga in present-day Jagatsinghpur, Yasobanta Dasa was married to the sister of a king. However, he renounced family ties and took the vow of a Sanyasi. Yasobanta journeyed to Puri inspired by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was then resident at Court. He was initiated into Vaishnavism whilst in Puri. Yasobanta Dasa’s noted translations are Gobinda Chandra, Siba Swarodaya and Prema Bhakta Brahma Gita.

Ananta Dasa (b. 1475)

Born in Balipatana near Bhubaneswar, Ananta Dasa dreamt he must go to Puri and meet Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He remained in Puri and began his writing. He was noted for his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, ‘Amrutakana’, which was widely acclaimed. In his Udaya Bhagavata, he portrays Lord Jagannatha as the combined form of Radha and Krishna. His poetry too, was appreciated during his time. Ananta Dasa crusaded for the removal of caste discrimination, child marriage and widow remarriage – six hundred years ago!

These inspirational men were rebels of a kind, who brought our ancient culture and literature into the lives of all in their region.

Read more about inspirational historical figures on the ACK Comics app!

The Margamkali Dance

The Syrian Christian community of Kerala is one of the oldest Christian communities in India, dating back to the first century CE.

Margamkali is a traditional dance performed by them in which a dozen dancers, wearing the traditional chatta (blouse) and mundu (dhoti) dance around a brass lamp. The dance incorporates the martial arts of Kerala as well. Originally performed only by men, now it is mostly women who do this dance.

Yubee-Lakpee

Yubee-Lakpee literally means ‘coconut-snatching’, which is a high-energy Manipuri game.

In Manipur, able-bodied young men clutch a large coconut, its husk oiled thoroughly, and dodge other players to reach the goal. Yubee-Lakpee is almost like rugby in its roughness but definitely more difficult. Even the bodies of the players are greased! Each team has seven players and the aim is to get the coconut and hold it close in front of the chest while running and dodging the others.

Famous Quotes #26

Here is a quote by the Greek philosopher Socrates, which tells us to stop and smell the roses from time to time.

Famous Quotes #25

Here is a quote by author Salman Rushdie, which talks about the importance of changing one’s perspective.

Bali Jatra: The Voyage to Bali

Post author By Kayva Gokhale
Post date February 14, 2024
No Comments on Bali Jatra: The Voyage to Bali

By Jayshree Misra Tripathi

In the month of Karthika of the Hindu Lunar Calendar, that falls mid-October to mid-November, the night of the full moon is called Karthika Purnima. A festival is celebrated in Odisha to honour ancient mariners and traders, called Sadhabas. On this night, they would set sail for the distant shores of Bali, in present- day Indonesia.

Early before dawn on this day, the 15th day of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon), people assemble on the banks of the River Mahanadi in Cuttack, or at nearby rivers and ponds, to sail replicas of the ancient large boats, called Boita. Inside each boat is a lit clay diya, some betel nuts and flowers. These boats were, once upon a time, made of banana peels but nowadays, even other materials are used. These miniature boats are colourfully decorated. As the boats are gently lowered into the waves that lap the shoreline, the women and children chant, “Aa Ka Ma Bai, Pana Gua Thoi.” These chants are mentioned in Sarala Dasa’s version of the Mahabharata, written in the 15th century AD.

Then prayers are offered in the Boita Bandana ceremony.

The acronyms* Aa, Ka, Ma, Bai, denote the seasons that the ships set sail and left our shores, in different directions, according to the monsoon winds and ocean currents. The weather and wind-flow have been studied in India since the second century BCE.

The Ancient Mariners

The mariners had special instruments that, together with astronomical calculations of the stars, helped them to navigate their ships. It is said the ships carried tamed birds on board, called Disa Kaka or Direction Birds. These birds helped in mapping directions on land.

The Chinese traveller and monk Yijing (AD 635-713) noted that it took thirty days to sail from the ancient port of Tamarlipti in Kalinga (Odisha), now in West Bengal, to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From there with the help of ocean currents, it took just twenty days to reach China! The Tang dynasty has records of a Bhaumakara prince, Subhakara Deva, who brought many Buddhist Mahayana Tantric scrolls and texts to the Tang Dynasty Court in AD 790.

A Long Journey

Bali Jatra, or the voyage to Bali, was not a direct route for the ancient mariners. They set sail from the banks of the River Mahanadi in Cuttack, in mid-November, with the help of the north-eastern monsoon winds, down the coastline to dock in Sri Lanka, then known as Lankadeepa. There they would trade supplies, that included ivory, precious gems, horses, glass and perfumes. On their return journey, they would take back elephants and pearls. They would stock up on fresh water and coconuts before they set sail again, guided by ocean currents across the Indian Ocean. Now they were northward bound, towards Swarnadipa, the Island of Gold, as mentioned in Sanskrit texts. This is the northern sector of Sumatra. There are accounts of the mariners either setting sail towards Borneo and Vietnam, or to Bali and Java, then called Yavadwipa or the Island of Grain.

It is interesting to note how the mariners decided on the duration at a port-of-call. Leaving Odisha in mid-November, the journey to Bali would have taken at least three months. In order to harness the early South-West monsoon winds for the return journey, they would have to cast-off from Bali by mid-March. This would ensure they reached home in May.

The merchants dealt mainly with cotton textiles that were very popular at their ports of call. For instance, the Sambalpuri ikat textile weaving is also found in Bali today, called Patola, woven in themes from India mythology. Trade flowed both ways and our merchants, would purchase Chinese silks in Vietnam and camphor in Sumatra. Spices were exchanged too, which included peppercorns and cloves, even betel or areca nuts. Cowry shells were also used as exchange.

An Exchange of Culture

Trade links also, but naturally, led to cultural exchanges in arts and crafts and spiritual experiences. Hinduism still exists in parts of Bali. Buddhism is followed in many countries in Southeast Asia. The skill of the Kalinga mariners over sea-routes has been cited as “The Lord of the Sea” by Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsa. Words from the various languages were often absorbed into the native languages. Bou in Odia is mother as in Balinese too! There is also a great similarity in the masks found in Odisha and Sri Lanka and Bali. The Ramayana is depicted through dances, shadow puppetry and many other forms too

The Fair Today

Nowadays, at the Bali Jatra Fair in Cuttack, there are giant wheels, traditional puppet shows, food, dance and song. It is also a tradition to stage a play on the legend of Tapoi – the only beloved daughter of a rich businessman, who had seven sons. When he became a widower, he would sail to Bali each year on Karthika Purnima, with some of his adult sons. One year he took all his seven sons with him, thinking his daughters-in-law would care for his youngest child, his only daughter, Tapoi. Sadly, the sisters-in-law made her clean the home and cowshed, wash their clothes, even bring wood from the forest. They often hit her and left her hungry. Tapoi would cry all alone and pray to Mangala Devi, a form of Durga, to end her misery. Months passed.

One day, she mustered enough courage to run away deep into the nearby forest while gathering wood. Her father and brothers returned from their voyages earlier than expected and were furious. They went in search of her and found her, crying piteously. The malicious daughters-in-law of the merchant were punished for their cruelty.

This legend also makes us ponder upon the impact that long, hazardous journeys had on the families left behind. Would they remain safe? Would they have enough to eat?

Our ancient mariners and merchants defied all odds to bring home goods and riches, for the prosperity of their families. Kalinga’s flourishing trade links are impressive even today – the sea-voyages to Sri Lanka, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Myanmar (Burma) and Bali. Similar festivals are held even in these parts of the world, such as Masakapan Ke Tukad of Bali, the Loi Krathong of Thailand, the Bon Om Touk of Cambodia, and the That Luang of Laos – all held around the same time of the year.

Read about more such interesting tales from history, only on the ACK Comics app!

Famous Quotes #24

Here is an interesting quote by the poet Rumi, which encourages us to introspect and change ourselves before trying to change others.

The Dree Festival

India is full of unique festivals and celebrations, which differ from region to region. One such interesting and important festival is Dree, which is celebrated in the months of June and July in Arunachal Pradesh. This is an agricultural festival, aimed at pleasing the gods and praying for a bountiful harvest.

dree festival — Illustration: Mudita Singh

According to the legend, Anw Donw and Abba Lwbo were the first people to cultivate the land and start a civilisation. They made the first machetes and spades and cleared the area. They travelled to far off places and found seeds for paddy, corn and cucumber.

They overcame the difficulties of storm and rain, and protected their crop against all calamities. However, it was when they were attacked by a fierce demon called Pyokuñ Pembò Pyoyi Tadù that their troubles truly began. They defeated the demon, but from the stomach of their fallen foe, swarms of insects and pests emerged to destroy their precious harvest.

It is to ward off these insects and other such adversities that the rituals of the Dree festival began. During Dree, people pray for a healthy crop, a plentiful harvest and prosperity to all. The Apatani tribe offer prayers to four gods: Tamu, Harniang, Metii, and Danyi. The festivities usually last for three days. Cucumber plays an important role and is offered to guests and participants of the festival.