July 29th, 2001 When empires collapse and disintegrate historians, like schoolmasters correcting tutorial essays award grades to rulers. The British chroniclers of Indian history pronounced judgement on the House of Amir Timur (Teymour : Tamerlane, or the iron man with a game leg). The first six Emperors to rule India, Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah… Continue reading Why Awrungzeyb was not a “Great” Mughal [Arungzeb]
July 20th, 2001 The post independence image of India from 1947- 1977 was of a country with self respect and capable of charting its own course and providing some kind of alternative to nations reluctant to be camp followers of either the USA or the Soviets. Them happy days are, Alas! over and even the… Continue reading British Raj and Indian Coolies
In 2011, Akhilesh was encouraged to recite a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz that he was very fond of. Hear and read the poem, his translation, and his perspective on Faiz. Daar kee russiyoan kay guloobund gurdun meiyn pehney huway Ganeywaaley hureyk roaz gaatey ruhey, Paayaleiyn beidiyoan kee bujaatey ruhey: Hum joa iss suff meiyn… Continue reading Hear Akhilesh Recite Faiz “Sporting nooses like garlands”
July 16th, 2001 Mauritius figures in Indian media today on account of its being a tax haven. All FFIs or Foreign Financial Institutions operating in India are registered in Mauritius to escape the liability of the Indian Capital Gains Tax.
July 11th, 2001 Deputy Commissioner 12.7.2001 M.C.D. Dear Sir Horticulture and Sanitation in our colony
July 1st, 2001 In today’s or 21st Century India “politician” means “crook”. A hundred years ago when political life was just beginning for Indians after the lull following the massacres of 1857/1858 getting involved meant great idealism, suffering and sacrifice. Today talk of martyrs and patriots is likely to be ignored. Or dismissed a la… Continue reading The heroic end of Susil Kumar Sen
June 29th, 2001 The story of the conversion of Susil Kumar Sen from a meek and mild bhadralog boy into a gun and bomb terrorist shows how a brutal ruler drives the subject peoples to violence.
Juse 17th, 2001 Talking or writing about a poet who wrote in Urdu for an audience who do not use the language for their reading writing and talking in everyday life is a daunting task. Perhaps an incident from his life recounted by an eyewitness will help make the poet come alive for those who… Continue reading Raghupati Sahay “Firaq”
June 11th, 2001 Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Punjab (only the area across the Sutlej river) died in the afternoon of 27th June 1839. A stroke he suffered on the night of 17th August 1835 left him with a substantially diminished frame and half his face paralysed.
June 11th, 2001 The Crown Prince of Nepal has, allegedly, slaughtered his parents and siblings because the path of his desire was being obstructed. It is said that, besides Love, he was also under the influence of alcohol cocaine and marihuana. When the news of the slaughter broke, Hindu friends and relatives, mostly of the… Continue reading Violence, Love and Lordship
