We are all well aware of the Alexandrian conquest in the Indian subcontinent. But did you know, according to a Greek epic written by Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysus, the Grecian god of wine conquered and ruled over the Indian subcontinent?

THE GREAT GREEK CONQUERER: THE GOD OF WINE

The Great Greek Conquerer: The God Of Wine

संथालो ने ब्रिटिश सरकार के खिलाफ विद्रोह कर दिया था क्योंकि सरकार ने उन्हें सपने तो बहुत बड़े-बड़े दिखाए थे लेकिन उन्हें तोड़ने में भी ज़्यादा समय नहीं लगाया और इतिहास ने पहली बार उनके हक की लड़ाई देखी जिनके बारे में आधी दुनिया तो जानती भी नहीं थी।

रक्षक बनने का झांसा देकर भक्षक बन गई सरकार

Be it ‘Utterly-Butterly Delicious’ or the ‘Taste of India’, Amul has not only found its way, not only into our refrigerators but also our hearts. The ads that made our childhood more interesting are indeed the brand that only connected us as Indians but also held us together with the farmers of the country and this was perhaps the biggest achievement of Verghese.

The Knight In White Armour

Rajasthan is said to be one of the most intriguing yet welcoming places in India. From beautiful deserts to colourful attires, from heavy turbans to decorative ghaghra-choli, it is studded with mysteries and intricacies of nature. One such place that has earned immense popularity throughout the world, continues to celebrate Abhaneri with all its grandeur in the display. Put on your best attire and get ready for the colourful show of the haunted stepwell.

The Haunted Hues Of Chand Baoli

Countless civilizations were built on the pillar of biodiversity and fell to pieces when the latter was neglected. The plethora of wildlife and the variations of species makes our planet unique. As we progress towards breakthroughs, let's take a moment to look around and be grateful for the biodiversity around us that has helped us thrive and protected us from many harms. 

International Day for Biological Diversity

Before the year 1236, never in the history of Delhi had a female ruler ruled over the throne. But there is always someone to rewrite history or, you know, to create history. The first female ruler, Razia Sultan, wrote her name in the annals with her power and courage. She was not only a ruler but also the first female Sultan.


Razia Sultan, the first female sultan of Delhi

Being stuck in a terrifying situation is like having a nightmare playing on loop each time you go to sleep. But can you imagine being in a situation for three days when you don't know if you'd live or die? When does the nightmare truly end? 

...And it finally ended

"Back in our day" has become an internet meme by now. However, Henry Pequet certainly must have boasted about his first-ever airmail flight to his grandchildren! Well, in his shoes, we certainly would have!

Only Takes 13 Minutes and A Flight to Create History!

Another lover and yet another beloved, a secret marriage, several films, outstanding career, eternal love and its eternal symbols - and that was the spicy life of Kamal Amrohi - the man who spiced the screen and sent the audience's nuts!

Modern Shah Jahan

The Dutch East India Company (*VOC - Vereenigde* (United) *Oostindische Compagnie)* was a Dutch corporation, chartered to trade with Mughal India. It came into being in the early 17th century after the Dutch government merged various Dutch trading companies and gave the VOC a monopoly trading right. In the latter parts of the 17th-18th century, it also focused on trading with the Southeast Asian states. From a trading company, it grew into shipbuilding, supervising commercial crop growth in the trading territories, and the first formally listed public company with general stocks open for the people to buy.

> The VOC, in its heyday, had chartered exploratory voyages, traded with states across Asia, and had also used slavery and violence to ensure resources for the Dutch State.

While privately run, the VOC stood as a symbol for the Dutch Empire, and often performed state-like roles - deciding on waging war, establishing colonies and jurisprudence in these colonies.

However, by the 1720s, the VOC had started to face numerous problems. Its shrinking role in South Asia, competition and warring with the now-expanding English East India Company, widespread corruption and financial issues - all would lead to its contraction. In India, the VOC controlled small clusters of ports, centred around main ports - Dutch Ceylon (centred at Colombo), Dutch Coromandel (at Pulicat), Dutch Malabar (at Cochin), Dutch Bengal (at Chuchura) and Dutch Suratte (at Surat). All these came to a rapid end by the end of the 18th century.

The French Revolutionary Wars and the occupation and reorganisation of the Netherlands into the Batavian Republic had dire consequences for the VOC. Already, Dutch colonial possessions had been taken over by the British, in case of French occupation. However, this was the final nail in the coffin, as the once-great VOC was nationalised, and allowed to expire by 1799. The holdings, including those in India, were for a brief while returned to the Dutch government, but once again occupied by the English in the 1820s.

Hailed as the first ‘transnational’ corporation, the VOC laid the groundwork for what was to become the English and French EICs, with their different administrative controls. Controversial in its role of slavery and oppression, and hailed for its connections and contributions to exploration, the VOC remains a frequently-studied topic.

A duit (unit of currency) minted by the VOC; Source: Wikipedia

VOC_duit_fb66e534fa.jpg

Colonialism

The Bavarian Republic nationalises the Dutch East India Company, even as its foreign holdings (including in India) come under British control, as the French Revolutionary Wars rage on, today in 1796.

Chaitanya Rawat

The beginning of the end

Chaitanya Rawat

Recommended Stories

Latest Audio Stories

The Great Greek Conquerer: The God Of Wine

रक्षक बनने का झांसा देकर भक्षक बन गई सरकार

The Knight In White Armour

The Haunted Hues Of Chand Baoli