Tea, also famously known as chai, is one of the most consumed beverages by Indians. Chai with biscuits is a perfect routine for many Indians to start their day. There is an interesting story of how commercial tea plantations started in India.
In 1823, a Scottish explorer named Robert Bruce discovered that Singphos, a local tribal community in Assam, were consuming an unknown specimen since the 12th century. He met Bisa Gam, the chief of the Singphos, with the help of Maniram Dutta Baruah, a native nobleman. After the meeting, the tribal chief presented two tea plants and a few seeds to Robert Bruce. Soon, the British discovered that the assamica variety of tea was better suited to grow in Assam as the region had favourable climatic conditions and they could compete with China in tea production. That is how commercial tea cultivation started in Assam in 1826. The Singphos, still residing in parts of Northeast India, Myanmar, and China, played an important role in giving India its beloved beverage.
Here is an infographic of the tea story. Pin it for easy reference!
Formed as an Indian state on November 1, 1973, Karnataka is the sixth largest state by area and the eighth largest by population. It has been home to many empires of ancient and medieval India including the mighty Vijayanagara empire. The history of the state has given it so many monuments, traditions and stories to tell.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Age of empires
Karnataka has witnessed the reigns of many well-known dynasties. The region was a part of the Nanda empire before the third century and then came under the control of Ashoka, the ruler of the Mauryan empire. Later, it was ruled by the Satavahana dynasty for four centuries. It has also witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties including the Kadamba, Western Ganga and Hoysala, in the following centuries. The age of Hoysalas (10th – 14th century) was an important period in its development in the field of architecture, literature, and arts. Well-known temples such as the Chennakesava Temple, Somnathpur, Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple and Halebidu are great surviving examples, which show the architectural talents of the Hoysalas. The Hoysala rulers were also patrons of fine arts and encouraged Kannada and Sanskrit literature to flourish during their rule.
The Vijayanagara empire
During the early 14th century, the region witnessed the rise of the Vijayanagara empire. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I founded the Vijayanagara empire with Hosapattana (later renamed Vijayanagara) as its capital, on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, in the present-day Bellary district. It was under the rule of Krishnadevaraya, who reigned from 1509 to 1529, that art, literature, and architecture flourished in the region. Many Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada poets enjoyed the patronage of the king, who himself was fluent in many languages. Unfortunately, the death of Aliya Rama Raya, the son-in-law of Krishna Deva Raya, during the battle of Talikota in 1565, against the alliance of Delhi Sultanates, led to the decline of the Vijayanagara empire and the destruction of Hampi. The example of Vijayanagara architecture can be still seen today in the ruins of Hampi.
Illustration: Hritoparna Hazra
Anglo-Mysore War
Following the defeat of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565, the Bijapur Sultanate rose as the main power in the Deccan. Soon, they were also defeated by the Mughal rulers in the late 17th century. The Wodeyars of Mysore, former vassals of the Vijayanagara Empire, leased the state from Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor in the 17th century. After the death of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, Haidar Ali, the commander-in-chief of the Mysore army, gained control of the region. To prevent European expansion in South India, Haidar Ali and later his son, Tipu Sultan, fought four significant Anglo-Mysore Wars. The last Anglo-Mysore war resulted in the death of Tipu Sultan and Mysore was finally annexed to the British Raj in 1799.
Freedom fighters
When the East India Company introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, many revolutionaries from the region like Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna started their rebellions in 1830, nearly three decades before the revolt of 1857. The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence, was led by revolutionaries such as Mundargi Bhimarao, Bhaskar Rao Bhave, the Halagali Bedas, Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and others. By the end of the 19th century, the freedom movement had gained momentum all over the nation. Karnad Sadashiva Rao, Aluru Venkata Raya, S. Nijalingappa, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Nittoor Srinivasa Rau and others from the state, carried on the freedom struggle into the early 20th century.
Post Independence
After the independence, the Wodeyar Maharaja acceded to India. In 1950, Mysore became an Indian state, and the former Maharaja performed his role as its governor until 1975. According to the States Reorganization Act of 1956, parts of Coorg, Madras, Hyderabad, and Bombay states were incorporated into the state of Mysore. On 1 November, 1956, the state of Mysore was formed and since then every year, 1 November is celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava Day. In 1973, Mysore state was renamed Karnataka.
Notable people
The state produced many artists, authors, historians, social workers and Bharat Ratna recipients who provided their valuable contributions to the development of the society. Some of the notable people from Karnataka in the Republic India are C.B. Muthamma, the first Indian woman IFS officer, Shakuntala Devi, popularly known as the Human Calculator, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, also known as the Father of Modern Yoga. Karnataka has also produced archaeologists such as Shikaripura Ranganatha Rao, who led teams that discovered a number of Harappan sites including the port city Lothal and Bet Dwarka in Gujarat, and Paduru Gururaja Bhat, an archaeologist of the Tulu kingdom. Bharat Ratna recipients, Sir M.Visvesvaraya, Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi, and Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao (C.N.R. Rao), for their contributions in the fields of engineering, music and science respectively, were also from Karnataka.
Economic and Tourist destinations
During the early 1900s, industrial visionaries such as Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarraya played a crucial role in building a strong manufacturing and industrial base in Karnataka. Currently, the state has the nineteenth highest ranking among Indian states on the Human Development Index (HDI). It has the sixth-largest economy of any Indian state and is the manufacturing hub for some of the largest Indian public sector industries including National Aerospace Laboratories, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Earth Movers Limited, which are headquartered in Bangalore. It also has many tourist places to visit such as Jog Falls, Mysore Palace, Nandi Hills, Hampi and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.
While summers in India can be brutal, they also have a silver lining. Summer brings with it a host of delicious fruits, as well as traditional dishes and drinks, all of which are perfect combinations of taste and nutrition. We have gathered fascinating facts and legends around some of the most popular summertime foods and drinks that make Indian summers unforgettable.
Mango
Illustration: Tithee Dixit
There is no fruit that is as strongly associated with Indian summers as the mango. Throughout history, from Mughal emperors to classical poets, no one has been able to resist the charm of the King of Fruits. It is believed that Emperor Akbar was so fond of mangoes that he planted up to 100,000 mango trees. The great poet Mirza Ghalib’s love for mangoes is apparent in his writing. He wrote a famous poem, ‘Dar Sifat-e-Ambah‘, solely dedicated to this fruit. He is also believed to have mentioned mangoes in more than 60 letters that he wrote to friends. Similarly, the poet Amir Khusrau called mango ‘naghza tarin mewa Hindustan‘ or the ‘fairest fruit of Hindustan‘. Even Rabindranath Tagore dedicated a poem called ‘Aamer Monjori‘ to this fruit.
Jamun
Illustration: Hritoparna Hazra
The tiny Jamun, packed with nutrients, is a common ingredient in summer dishes such as ice creams, sherbets, coolers and syrups. This purple fruit also finds place in some fascinating legends of India. Rama’s skin is often compared to the rich colour of the jamun and he is said to have lived on this fruit during his 14 years in exile. It is also said that Megha, the god of rains, descended to the earth in the form of a jamun, which is why the colour of the fruit is like that of a stormy sky.
Ice Gola
Illustration: Hritoparna Hazra
In India, summer holidays are synonymous with little children happily enjoying refreshing ice golas from street vendors. This preparation, made with shaved ice and flavoured syrups, has many names. It is called barf ka gola, chuski or gola ganda in different parts of the country. The ice gola is popular even outside of India. In North America, it is called a snowball or snow cone. In Mexico, ice golas are called raspa and are often spicy and tangy. In Malaysia and Singapore, it is called Ais Kacang and often has red beans as toppings. Ice golas are extremely popular even in Japan, where they are called Kakigori. In fact, it is believed that the dish might have been invented in Japan during the Heian period.
Aam Panna
Illustration: Tithee Dixit
Aam Panna, also called kairicha panha, aam jhora or aam pora, is a refreshing summer made from raw mangoes. The drink derives its name from the Sanskrit word ‘paaniya‘, meaning ‘something one drinks.’ Aam Panna finds its mention in a large number of ancient texts, which indicates how popular it has been for centuries. The drink is described in a number of ancient Ayurvedic texts, as well as in the writings of Sanskrit playwright Kalidasa. Aam Panna was also popular among the Mughal emperors since it is described in Ain-e-Akbari, a 16th-century record of Akbar’s court as well as the Baburnama, which are Babur’s memoirs.
Thandai
Illustration: Hritoparna Hazra
Thadai is a popular summertime drink made with milk, sugar and various nuts and spices. Containing the word ‘thanda‘, meaning cold, thandai is not only a refreshing beverage but also has a special place in Indian mythology. It is believed that after Shiva drank the poison that emerged out of Samudra Manthan i.e. the churning of the ocean, he flew into a terrible rage. In order to calm him down, he was offered thandai. It is said that ever since then, the thandai has been Shiva’s favourite drink. This is why thandai is prepared and consumed during the festival of Mahashivratri, especially in North India.
Sattu Sherbet
Illustration: Tithee Dixit
Sattu sherbet is a summer superdrink that is both delicious and extremely nutritious. This drink is made from Sattu flour, which in turn is prepared by grinding together various grains, pulses and cereals like wheat, barley, jowar, etc. This drink is such a powerhouse of energy that it has been used throughout history in wars and conflicts. The armies and traders of the Kalinga dynasty often carried Sattu during long voyages. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army would consume this drink during their guerilla wars against the Mughals. There are also some legends that suggest that Tibetan monks would carry Sattu during journeys.
Easter, also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a major Christian holiday that is celebrated all over the world. The day marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his death by crucifixion. Easter marks the end of Lent, which is a period of 40 days during which Christians pray and observe fasts and acts of penance. The week before Easter is known as Holy Week since it includes the commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper as well as observance of Good Friday, the day of his crucifixion. Easter does not fall on the same date every year, since it is based on the lunisolar calendar. Generally, Easter is therefore celebrated on the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon, which occurs soonest after 21 March.
Script: Rev. Dr. Drakshathota Arunliah; Illustration: Pratap Mulick
Easter is a day of happiness for Christians everywhere since it marks the joyous Resurrection and triumph of Jesus Christ. The day can be seen as a symbol of the victory of goodness, hope, life and resistance against oppression. In the period before the crucifixion of Christ, he continued spreading his message of peace, love and forgiveness, despite being aware of the risks. He knew that he would eventually be punished for his beliefs and work, yet he persevered without fear or doubt. Therefore, Easter is a true celebration of Jesus Christ, his faith, his courage and his message for his followers.
Easter celebrations vary across the world and have changed quite a bit over the years. In most countries that have a significant Christian population, including India, Easter and Good Friday are public holidays. Since the festival falls on a Sunday, schools and other institutions are usually closed anyway. In India, Easter is celebrated mainly through church services and mass, where people congregate together for prayer. While the tradition of decorating Easter eggs is more popular in the Western world, people in India often gift small children chocolate eggs. Apart from that, feasts and cakes are prepared, families and friends meet and gifts or lanterns are exchanged to mark this joyous occasion.
As one of the five fundamental practices of Islam, Muslims across the world observe a month of fasting, praying and service to society. Ramzan, or Ramadan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which adult, able and healthy Muslims are expected to fast from sunrise to sundown and refrain from activities that are considered sinful. The month is observed for 29 or 30 days according to the Lunar calendar, so the date shifts by about 11 days every year. The beginning and end of the month are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.
This practice is a celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation, where he was visited by the angel Jibril and was imparted knowledge that would go on to become the holy Quran. Hence, the month is considered holy, wherein the benefits of sawm (fasting) and salat (prayers) are heightened and people can build better relationships with each other and god. It is said that observing Ramzan gives people a chance to learn patience, compassion for the less fortunate and break bad habits.
During the month of Ramzan, Muslims wake up early to have Sehri, a meal before dawn, and end their fast at dusk with a meal called Iftar. People suffering from illnesses and women who are menstruating, breastfeeding or pregnant, are exempt from fasting. Apart from food and drink, people observing Ramzan refuse to partake in tobacco products and sexual activities.
As a service to their community, Muslims also give to charity (zakat), host iftar dinners for the poor and needy and conduct nightly prayers called Tarawih at the mosque. The practices and traditions related to Ramzan differ from place to place. Commonly, streets, mosques and houses are decorated with lights and the Quran is recited. Some Islamic nations even have laws forbidding public eating, the use of tobacco and the sale of alcohol.
Aryabhata I was an Indian mathematician and astronomer, who lived during the reign of the Gupta empire. One of the world’s most acclaimed mathematicians, he is known as the ‘Father of Indian Mathematics’. Here are some interesting facts about the great thinker.
Illustration: Kavya Mittal
Birth year
Aryabhata mentions his age in his book Aryabhatiya. He mentions that he was 23 years old during the composition of Aryabhatiya and also noted that 3600 years had passed since the beginning of Kali Yuga. The implied year corresponds to 499 CE and thus suggests that Aryabhata was born in 476 CE.
Spell Check
There is a common tendency to spell the name of the mathematician as ‘Aryabhatta’, with the suffix ‘bhatta’. But it is interesting to note that the mathematician himself had mentioned his name as ‘Aryabhata’, with the suffix ‘bhata’, in the beginning and end of his book Aryabhatiya. Therefore, the correct spelling of his name would be Aryabhata.
Birthplace
There is still some debate among historians regarding the birthplace of Aryabhata. While some believe that he was born in Pataliputra (present-day Patna), others believe that the mathematician-astronomer was born in Kerala.
Aryabhata I or Aryabhata the Elder
Aryabhata is also known as Aryabhata I or Aryabhata the Elder to distinguish him from the tenth-century Indian mathematician with the same name. Aryabhata II also discussed theories, similar to the works of Aryabhata I, such as algebra, geometry, and their applications in calculating the longitudes of planets in his books.
Works of Aryabhata
Aryabhatiya, one of the major works of Aryabhata, was written in 499 AD and has survived to modern times. The book consists of 108 verses and covers many branches of mathematics such as arithmetic, algebra and trigonometry. Aryabhata also composed another work on astronomical computations named Arya-Siddhanta, whose contents are lost to modern historians. The existence of Arya-Siddhanta is known through the writings of the ancient astronomer Varahamihira. The book has also been mentioned in the commentaries of later mathematicians including Bhaskara I and Brahmagupta.
Major Discoveries
Aryabhata came up with the approximation of Pi and concluded that π is irrational. He also worked on the place value system and discovered zero for the first time. Some of the rules made by Aryabhata for the calculation of cube roots and squares by the arithmetical method, are still in use. In addition to this, Aryabhata also provided the circumference of the Earth as 39968.05 km and the radius of the orbits of nine planets. He also said that the Earth rotates on its axis and concluded that this is the reason we have days and nights.
Relation with Nalanda University
Aryabhata mentions in his book Aryabhatiya that he had been honoured in Kusumapura. Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions along with the reports of Bhaskara I, who provided commentary on Aryabhatiya, identify Kusumapura as Pataliputra, the capital city of Magadha. Since the University of Nalanda was situated in Pataliputra during that period and also because Aryabhata was mentioned as Kulapa (Head of Institution) in a verse, it has been speculated that he might have been the head of Nalanda University too.
Translations
The works of Aryabhata were translated into Arabic language from its original Sanskrit version. It also influenced the works of Persian polymath Al-Khwarizmi and Arab Astronomer Al-Zarqali. For instance, after Aryabhatiya was translated into Arabic around 820 CE, the approximation of Pi was mentioned in Al-Khwarizmi’s book on algebra.
Legacy and Honours
In 1975, The Indian Government launched its first satellite named Aryabhata to honour this great astronomer. The image of the Aryabhata satellite is featured on the reverse of an Indian 2-rupee note. A species of bacteria discovered by ISRO scientists in the Earth’s stratosphere was named Bacillus Aryabhata after him.
The Kalbelia tribe belongs to the Thar desert region of Rajasthan, who used to be professional snake charmers. Traditionally, this is a nomadic community, serpents are an important part of their livelihood, the Kalbelias revere these reptiles, especially the cobra. The killing of any snake is considered a sin and the tribe advocates for humane treatment of serpents, even if they enter homes and other domestic spaces.
Illustration: Mitushi Sharma
The Kalbelia dance is an important part of the culture of this tribe. This dance is performed as a celebration of their identity and culture and traditionally takes place in the desert, in front of a large bonfire. The men and women of the tribe gather around the fire, where the men play instruments and the women perform the Kalbelia dance. The clothes worn during the performance are also significant. The women wear lehengas, or long flowing skirts in red and black hues. When they perform the dance, the skirts swirl in the air, replicating the movement of a snake. The colours and patterns on the clothes too, represent various aspects of serpents and other animals reared by the tribe. In 2010, the folk dances and songs of the Kalbelia tribe were included in UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List.
Note: Snake charming has been banned in India under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Ginger is best known for giving flavour to the distinctive Indian Masala Chai. However, it also has a host of other uses, take a look at some of the essential ones.
