Thursday, November 13, 2008
Ku Klux Klan
This news report has reference to the history of America. It has reference to the reconstruction period of America after the end of Civil War. Ku Klux Klan was a secretive society with racial agenda against the blacks.
Obama is the first Afro-American President of America. It is surprising to observe that since the day, his election to the post of the President has been announced there has been a repeated appearence of reports in America which have reference to the racial activities in past of America.
Further, it is fascinating that such organizations are still alive in America. Ku Klux Klan had left such an impact on the mind of the people not only in America, but in Europe also. It has found mentioned as a press clipping in one of the novel of Arthur O'Connole, the creator of character Shelock Holmes.
An Associated Press shares similar views in the following report at http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gTN4X0wjHOqwUq80wkQpbe8qVXlgD94DKU880
Monday, November 10, 2008
Mahatama Gautam Returns to India
A statue of Mahatama Gautam, one of ten Avataras (Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu returns to India.
Any objection if it is written like that?
Preserving Indian Heritage with Foreign Help
I have been showing my concern towards the insensitivity of the Indians to their heritage. However, here, it is a news because UNESCO has accorded the status. That is quite fine. But why is it so that only a foreign identity comes and tell us what was so good in our heritage? I just believe in saying Mera Bharat Mahan. Or the recent crop of the so called Bollywood music director, whose only expertise is in using Pancham notes where they were not desired and shreik Maa Dujhe Salaam and the whole generation says Waha what a music? they make a good Music. They remind us of our heritage.
Forget it.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Probably A Postivist Thesis Vindicated
It is a proverbial teaching leasson in history that geography and time are the two eyes of the history. Geological knowledge advancement is helping history in redifining its thesis which is an ongoing process in history. However, I, as student of history, believe that our stress should be on the activity of man. We should ask that what actually man did in response to the climate change. That will provide us better answers. I believe Taoism may be the result of such experiences in Chinese history. In short, the question should remain confined to the activities of man. It should ask that when the given premises changed, what did the man do.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Economic Crisis Makes you Nostalgic
It is a policy of this blog that the news items which are based on remembering history at the time of anniversaries, commemoration, obituaries etc, will not be included on this blog. However, this news item is of a different nature. It is making news out of history by recollecting the times when a bank came into existence, at a time of crisis. It is bit different from commemoration of different types mentioned.
On the whole, there is nothing much of history about the bank in question. But, it is amusing to a student of history that crisis makes to remember history whereas the good times always make you to talk about future. On the other hand, this blog works on the theory that a news in past is a present history. A news in present will be history of future. Hence, if the history is made a news, then it is to be brought on this blog. This news report, which tries to recollect the history of Royal Bank of Scotland, though in a very clumsy manner, from the perspective of a student of history, qualifies to become an entry on this blog.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Bulls(Bulldozer) in a China Shop
I believe such a news items appear only because of lack of Historic Thinking.
Recently, when Sultanpur Lodhi was bestowed upon heritage town status, it was commented that the history should be taken more seriously in preserving heritage. Recently, while editing an article on Ludhiana, a wikipedia editor removed the Tourist places of Ludhiana. I thought of introducing the places of historic places on that page. However, to my dismay, I was not able to locate the Bungalow of Shah Shuja of Afghanistan who was kept in Ludhiana, and latter became a cause of opposition by the army of Lahore Subha when Captain Broadfoot misbihaved with the Lahore army while taking back Shah Shuja back to Afghanistan.
Now, in case of some better preserved meomries of Sikh history, such a bulldozing is being carried out. I find it omnious.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Who Was Indra of Subash Chandra Bose?
Laxmi Panda a was member of Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauj. She was named Indra by Netaji.
It is better to remember the name of one's own father because that is required to claim the right of ancestral property. What is the need of remembering History? History is the mistress of politics. Do we remember Netaji?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Kumrahar Palibothra, Patliputra, Patna
“Now trams run only in Kolkata.”
“The founder of Kolkata Job Charnock spent more than a decade as the chief of Patna factory before founding the city of Kolkata in 1699 AD by integrating three adjoining villages — Sutanati, Kolikata and Govindpur.”
“The present day Patna Saheb is the oldest station of Patna. Its name changed several times, starting from Begampur, to Patna, to Patna City and now Patna Saheb.”
“The Danapur railway station, just outside Khagaul, later became the headquarters of the then `Company of East Indian Railway Volunteers.”
Stonehenge a Prehistoric monuments was a Healing Centre
The same news with minor extra details can be accessed at Guardian.
Source of Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Reality lapses into History
State Bank of Saurashtra merges with SBI. There are news since long that all the subsidiaries will merge with SBI. However, it is the first merger of that sort and now there remains six subsidiaries of the SBI.
However, State Bank of Saurashtra had a history. An extract from the moneycontrol.com has been reproduced below which has affinity with the nature of this blog.
"State Bank of Saurashtra traces its history to the princely Bhavnagar Darbar Bank, which was established in 1902. When the princely states were integrated to form Saurashtra in 1948, the four Darbar Banks - Rajkot State Bank, Porbandar State Bank, Palitana Darbar Bank and Vadia State Bank - were merged, and on July 1, 1950, when State Bank of Saurashtra was born.
In 1960, SBS became a subsidiary of SBI at the suggestion of the All-India Rural Credit Survey Committee."
Monday, September 22, 2008
Jantar Mantar renovation disturbs past, present and future
"The observatory consists of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides."
"The Samrat Jantar, the largest instrument, is 90 feet (27 m) high, its shadow carefully plotted to tell the time of day. Its face is angled at 27 degrees, the latitude of Jaipur. The Hindu chhatri (small domed cupola) on top is used as a platform for announcing eclipses and the arrival of monsoons."
The Archaeological Monument, which is a pride of Indian heritage, was earlier renovated in 1901. It was declared national monument in 1948. Now another renovation has started in January 2007. However, it has raised a controversy. The controversy can be read in the above mentioned link sify news.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Churchill was AOL: Arrogant, Offensive and Loud
Churchill had once complaint to Smuts for the problems which Britain was facing due to the political activities of Mahatama Gandhi.
The World War II archives are being explored further and some skeletons are falling out. It may create some more heat. Some governments will begin a course of justifications and clarifications which makes a good news when History makes a news.
The above link has been taken from Sify News which seems to be referring to the ANI news items.
It has projected Churchill in bit racist colour also.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ike Revived the Memory of Galveston Destruction in 1900
The Ike Hurricane has revived the memory of Galveston Town destruction by an unnamed Hurricane. Galveston destruction is considered as worst weather disaster in American History. The destruction took place on September 8, 1900. It was a category 4 storm.
The records of the destruction on black and white photographs are the documentary proofs available whereas presently the live Ike is being filmed.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Auction induced Historic Thinking and Investigation
A rare Islamic Crystal Jug, which was earlier considered as a cheap French work of art is now pitched as a rare piece of art which is probably 1000 years old.
"The slim-necked vessel, carved from a single piece of rock crystal and decorated with elaborate engravings of cheetahs, was made for the court of the Fatimid dynasty, which ruled a swath of West Asia and North Africa between 908 and 1187 A.D."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Google to Digitize Newspaper Archives - NYTimes.com
It is a peculiar news item which has history connotation. On the other hand, it has in it some additional links which can be used as sources.
The comments will be added later.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Gobindgarh Fort (Bhangian Da Kila) face lifted to become a Tourist Place in Punjab
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Dakshini Sikhs: Glorious Past; Deplorable Social Status
British had left but left behind the babus
It is reported in the Hindustan Times, September 5, 2008, Front page, that the same Deputy Commissioner has sought the freedom fighter status for those who were killed on that fateful date. It is highly ironical and disgraceful that the administration had played all those acts which it usually perform in a matte which is of sanctity of history of the country before coming to the most logical decision.
British had left but left behind the babus.
Older Wall of Jerusalem Old City Excavated
It is a period corresponding to 72 AD, the beginning of Saka Calendar, the official calendar of Republic of India.
The excavated wall was longer than the present wall surrounding the Jerusalem Old City.
The above report is published by Reuter and reproduced in the Tribune, Chandigarh.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Pakistan political crisis: Chronology
The fluid political situation which is moving towards the establishment of democratic mechanism in place in Pakistan has become the occasion historic re-evaluation of chronology of the political events on the Rediff News. General Musharaf has been removed. Now the country is going to select its next President.
Stupid, Your Ancestors Could Have Been Killed by Neanderthal Man
However, a new report published in The Independent London, and reproduced by The Tribune Chandigarh, it is told that Neanderthal man had the potential to eliminate the Homo Sapiens and survive the evolution. The report states, “It is time for archaeologists to start searching for other reasons why Neanderthals became extinct,… .”
Further it has given a startling conclusion that “it is likely that the two species of humans competed against each other for limited resources in the same habitat, with Homo sapiens being the victor.” It suggests that the competition was not one sided and there could have been a possibility that the result could have been different.
Nuclear Deal: A chronology
The Contemporary happenings in India having international relations dimension has been passing through varied hurdles.
It has become an occasion for showing some historic thinking in present times.
Nuclear Supplier Group has given a waiver to India for not being a signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty. This has become an occasion for reviewing the history of the whole story and Rediff News has covered it.
Living Legend Talks about Exploits of Folland Gnat
Friday, September 5, 2008
Bombay Club Proposes: British era land laws must be changed: Rahul Bajaj-India-The Times of India
The news item has an oblque reference to history.
In a way, this is our general notion and habbit to treat our history and deal with history.
It has contemporary background but very superficial reference to history with scant regard to the spirit of historical thinking.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Operation Pearl Harbour Recovery in Arunachal of India: A conspiracy theory in Offing!!!
America had learned after 100 years that the Maine Ship which exploded to start the Spanish War in 1899 had suffered internal damage. It was earlier reported in 1899 that it was destroyed by Spanish Military off the Cuban coast which started the SpanishWar.
The survey which will be undertaken in October 2008 may bring out some conspiracy theories. The Americans love to discuss the conspiracy theories in their pursuit of history.
Sukherchakia Emperor Bust may raise another Controversy
A 19th century marble bust of the Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is reportedly coming up for bidding on October 9 at Bonhams in London.
The Punjab Heritage Site in its report by Amandeep Madra, is believed to come out with facts on it when the bust is shown in the public.
The Times of India report also traces some of the facts of the Punjab History. Amandeep Madra writes a more elaborate posts on Sher-i-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Unfimiliarity and Ideological Bias lead to News on History.
REMEMBER THIS MARTYR TO REMEMBER OUR HISTORY
WHO's TO BLAME FOR BHAGAT STATUE
The Hindustan Times
August 27, 2008
and
September 1, 2008
Jarnail, Zail, Darbara and 80s of Punjab
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji, the Freedom Fighter of pre-1857 Uprising
London British Library has a policy of displaying some of the rarest collections in the library on their website. I believe such items are also made public for few days. Or it may be, that one organization, namely, United Kingdom Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA), is involved in cataloguing Punjabi manuscripts, happens to locate it in the British library.
It seems that somewhere in the month of June 2008, British Library had displayed the belongings and manuscripts of Bhai Maharaj Singh (Sant Nihal Singh Ji), a saint and freedom fighter in pre 1857 period. He had joined with Diwan Mul Raj, Subedar of Multan, as appointed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to fight the Anglo Sikh War. Some of the belongings which were displayed were gifted to the library by the decedents of Henry Vanistrat, who, in the capacity of Deputy Commissioner of Jaladhar at that time(Jullundur - as the office record of the British period spell the name of the Demon King, who was son of Samudra and had been killed by Lord Shiva because he had the audacity of going beyond the limits.), had arrested Bhai Maharaj Singh.
The above mentioned activities had been reported by Amandeep Madra (Madra refers to cis Ravi Region in Vedic Period and considered as the real Punjab which had helped Chandragupta Maurya to defeat Dhana Nand of Nanda Dynasty of Pataliputra.) The same story has again became the part of Punjab Newsline on August 20, 2008 and reported by Amandeep Madra Paramjit Singh.
Disclaimer: I have not verified the facts. I am reporting only what has been access on the mentioned links as accessed and retrieved on August 31, 2008.
Sources:
Punjab Heritage News: http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/11815/40/" Newly catalogued : The Bhai Maharaj Singh Collection>Newly catalogued : The Bhai Maharaj Singh Collection
Punjab News: Bhai Maharaj Singh Collection is preserved in British Library
Sant Nihal Singh, alias Bhai Maharaj Singh a saint-revolutionary of the 19th century Punjabby M. L. AhluwaliaPublished in 1972, Punjabi University (Patiala) as accessed on Google Books.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A Follow up Report on Insult to Freedom Fighters of 1919
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Heritage Hill in Rupnagar (Ropar)
The Punjab Department of Cultural Affairs, Archives, Archaeology and Museum had declared Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Memorial Heritage Hill Park as a heritage hill under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1964.
It is reported by Bahadurjeet Singh in Hindustan Times Chandigarh dated August 30, 2008 wherein he substantiated by pointing out Maharaja Ranjit Singh had set up a surveillance post on heritage hill during his historic meeting with British Governor General of India, Lord William Bentinck in 1831 for settlement of boundary issues.
Later, the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh had hoisted the Sarkar - e - Khalsa banner on the hill.
Source: Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, page 2, HT Punjab, Date: August 30, 2008.
Friday, August 29, 2008
It requires 87 years to become Freedom Fighter
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Marcus Aurelius in News
It is a news report from ANI about an archaeological excavation.
Marcus Aurelius was a famous philosopher. He also ruled on Rome from 161 AD until his death in 180 AD.
A giant marble sculpture of Marcus Aurelius has been unearthed at the ancient city of Sagalassos in Turkey.
Indian history on UK school syllabus-UK-World-The Times of India
It is reported that from September 2008, the student of secondary education in Britain learn that there was not something good about British Empire.
Kevin Brennan, the children's minister, said: "Although we may be ashamed to admit it, the slave trade is an integral part of British history. It is inextricably linked to trade, colonisation, industrialisation and the British Empire".
Apart from that, it learns that how did British occupy India.
It will deal with questions like, "How was it that, by 1900, Britain controlled nearly a quarter of the world?"
No doubt, one of the definition of history is that it is a collective consciouness and consciousness sometimes leads to some realizations also.
Gender Studies Deserve a Fair Deal
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Evoke History to Seek Heritage Status
It is added here that Sultanpur Lodhi and Ludhiana came into existence during the period of Sikandar Lodhi in order to counter the attack of Khokhars. Such historic facts should also be given due place while getting motivation for preserving heritage which is the only surety of preserving ones existence.
If Hindustan Times people happens to this post, then it is requested that they should not insist the users of their internet users to register first in order to access the links. There is no such bar in case of The Tribune and The Hindu. As a result, one may find numerous references to those newsprints on this blogs as well its associated blog like sumir-history.blogspot.com
Hindustan Times, Urban
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sleeping With Indian Women to Beat the Heat
Similarly, Spectrum, an Sunday magazine of The Tribune, Chandigarh, comes every Sunday with off beat articles which are prefect examples of History in News.
Last Sunday, that was August 17, 2008, in the Spectrum Magazine of The Tribune, Pran Neville had surveyed the cooling devices which were used by the Colonial Rulers in India during eighteenth and nineteenth century. The article is titled as BEATING THE HEAT, COOLING TALES FROM THE RAJ.
It is worth reading from Historic Thinking process with some nasty ideas and not that so good conclusions about the demographic mixture of the effected region that one of the suggestion of beating the heat was to sleep with Bengali Women.
Friday, August 22, 2008
History Connection of Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra won Gold Medal in the 10 m rifle shooting in Beijing Olympics. For Republic of India, it is one of most memorable incidence in her history as it is a first individual Gold Medal won by a nation which has 1.1 billion population.
It is reported in Hindustan Times, Chandigarh edition dated August 18, 2008 that Abhinav Bindra is the fifth decedent of Hari Singh Nalwa from his mother side.
Hari Singh Nalwa was the commander in Chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799-1839) who conquered Kabul for Lahore Kingdom. Later he became the governor of Kashmir and brought it under control which only he could have done by his iron fist policy.
Apropos, Kumkum Chadha, the reporter of Power Pitch, un which she had reproduced the interview with Babli Bindra, the mother of Abhinav Bindra, and the fifth descendent of Hari Singh Nalwa. She has also recorded a folklore that in Afghanistan, it was a tradition for a long time that Afghan mothers snubs their wailing children by warning them “Khamosh Bash, Haria raghle (Stop crying, Haria will come)
Source: Hindustan Times, Chandigarh Edition, Dated August 18, 2008, Article Power Pitch, Section: Simply Women, author and interviewer Kumkum Chadha
Photograph source: Wikipedia
Family photograph:China Daily
Personal Blog of Abhinav Bindra as reported on Wikipedia: Abhinav Bindra's Road to Beijing
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Musharraf Gone
The title of this post is influenced by the report heading adopted by Hindustan Times, a leading daily newspaper of India. It is a naughty heading.
Whenever there is a shift from a non-democratic setup of government to democratic government, there is always a historic evaluation of the events. In recent months, some major changes similar to one mentioned above had taken place in South Asia. In Nepal, then monarchical form of political setup had been dismantled.
Now after the end of a rule by a military head, similar reports had appeared in the news media. In The Tribune of August 19, 2008, the history of the events were reported at the following links.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
History of SIMI
A bold introduction to the report which has found place on the front page emphasis that “What began as an organisation to educate people about the true spirit of Islam is now busy developing itself into a high class brand in the world of Islamic terror. This is not what SIMI’s founder president (Siddiqui) wanted it to be. It forms the Part I of yet to be concluded report.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Motive of This Blog
Every day I find that there is a reference to history and some aspect of history in newsprint. People may be interested or may not be interested in such reports. However, those who understand history and interested in history as a subject, they are interested in such a news item. I intend to bring such news items on this blog. Such posts could have been placed on Sumir-History blog also. However, that is gradually acquiring an academic amedience and stuff. Here I will like to take some liberties also. I assure my readers it will be related to history.
I hope that my readers would enjoy this blog also.