राज कपूर की आवाज़ माने जाने मुकेश ने बॉलीवुड के लगभग हर बड़े कलाकार के लिए अपनी आवाज़ दी। उनके गाने सही मायने में एवरग्रीन है क्यूंकि उनके गीत आज उस पीढ़ी में भी पॉपुलर है जिसने कभी उन्हें देखा नहीं। इससे बड़ी उपलब्धि क्या ही है किसी कलाकार के लिए।

इक दिन बिक जाएगा माटी के मोल जग में रह जाएंगे प्यारे तेरे बोल

विशाल चीनी सेना और वह अकेले, चट्टान की तरह। ना कोई साथी और ना ही कोई हथियार। उन्होंने एक बार नहीं बल्कि कई बार दुश्मन को यह एहसास दिलाया की गोरखा रेजिमेंट और भारत के फ़ौजी की ताकत, जज़्बे और हिम्मत का मुकाबला इस दुनिया में कोई और नहीं कर सकता।

मरो तो अकेले नही बल्कि दस चीनी सैनिकों को लेकर मरो

"आज़ाद भारत के शासन तंत्र को वैधता प्रदान करने में गाँधी, नेहरू और पटेल की त्रिमूर्ति की बहुत बड़ी भूमिका रही है। लेकिन ये शासन तंत्र भारतीय इतिहास में गांधी और नेहरू के योगदान को तो स्वीकार करता है लेकिन पटेल की तारीफ़ करने में कंजूसी कर जाता है।" - राजमोहन गांधी

अखंड भारत के सूत्रधार

जिसके सामने दुनिया का हर सम्मान छोटा पड़ गया वह कोई और नहीं मदर टेरेसा थी। 1985 में आज ही के दिन अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति रोनाल्ड रीगन ने उन्हें प्रेसीडेंशियल मेडल ऑफ फ्रीडम से नवाजा।

सफ़ेद साड़ी में लिपटा एक फ़रिश्ता

Near the Sea of Oman, in a narrow valley between two hillocks, is situated the island of Elephanta. Housing numerous archaeological remains dating back to the 2nd century BC, it also houses five rock-cut Hindu temples, 2 Buddhist caves, and stupas. 


What lies on the island of Elephanta?

Celebrated every year in the Jyeshtha month, this year we celebrate the day Ganga descended on the Earth on 9th June 2022, on the tenth day of the lunar cycle (Shukla Paksha). The story is a favorite among sculptors and Bharatanatyam dancers. This day is significant to millions around the country, and it's history is ancient.

Gangavataran in Puranas & Sculptures

It is widely believed that history is the account of the victors. Their political and warfare achievements along with the consolidation of empires are what dominate history. However, behind the scenes, history shows us its dark colours as well. With its bloodshed for power, it stains the pages of history. Today, we will talk about one such historical place, the Khooni Darwaza in Delhi.

WITNESS THE DARK SIDE OF THE HISTORY WITH KHOONI DARWAZA

There was a new sheriff in town by the name of Virat Kohli, who had marked his arrival to the grand stage of cricket with some sensational batting and had single-handedly led India to chase down the toughest of totals. It was only inevitable for the king to take the charge in the semi-final and orchestrate one of the finest chases in the World Cup history.

When the dream of become two-time T20 champions didn’t seem far off

The poetic genius behind works such as ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo’ and ‘Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu Ne Kar Diya Kamaal’, Kavi Pradeep was born on February 6, 1915

The Man Whose Words are Imprinted on the Heart of the Entire Nation - Torchbearer of Patriotic Poetry

India is a country surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. India touches the border with several sovereign countries. Due to its location, it had trading links with its neighbouring countries since ancient times. The world knew India before European arrival. 

Indian history is not new; the first written account of maritime trade is dated back to the Harappan period. India had trade relations with Mesopotamia.

> The story began with trade relations and ended with colonization.

With the development of navigation equipment, overseas expeditions began to establish trade relations. But why were Europeans interested in exploring the Indian subcontinent? The English were not the only country to come to India. Other European nations on the list were Portuguese, Danish, French, and Dutch who came to India to establish trade relations. 

> The main reason for European arrival in India was Indian spices especially Black pepper, cotton, and handicraft, trade, and religious beliefs (to spread Christianity).

The temptation increased so much for Indian spices that Portugal's head sent two spies through Egypt to East Africa and India, to discover details of the spices market and trade routes. Whoever came to locate Indian Subcontinent used to go back to his country empty-handed. The mission was successful when captain Bartolomeu Dias returned in 1488 via the Cape of Good Hope. Got the route? 

![Route to India; Source: Go High Brow](/uploads/4_1_aa643bc44c.jpg)

This is the story of a navigator who came to India to discover the trade route to India. India was not unknown before Vasco's arrival and had good trade relations with Arab countries.

He had 3 routes to reach Asia — first, through Russia — the longest route, second through Arab countries — Europeans were not allowed there, and the last option was the sea route. He had only one option left in the last, that was Sea route. One of his Colleagues Vartho Lomadis left Portugal in 1486 to come to India by sea and reached Madagascar. But this was another failed expedition!

Vasco now had to come on his own to discover something new for Europe. He started his journey with 176 sailors, the campus, and his ship "Sao Gabriel". In search of Asia, he reached the Cape of Good Hope. During his way, he came in contact with Abdul Manik (a Gujarati), who helped him reach Kozhikode in India. 

> Today in 1498, he reached Kappadu near Kozhikode (Calicut), in Malabar Coast. Finally, someone succeeded!

Following our old tradition of "*Atithi Devo Bhava*", upon hearing the news of the arrival of the foreign fleet, Zamorin (the Hindu ruler of Calicut) went to Kappadu to welcome Vasco. Vasco da Gama received traditional hospitality in India.

He gifted Zamorin four cloaks of scarlet cloth, two barrels of oil, a chest of sugar, and a box of seven brass vessels. These gifts enraged the ruler because they were useless for him. The unhappy king sent him back to his country. 

When the new route discoverer returned to his nation, he was welcomed as someone who has come as the winner of Indian Idol. The finder failed to bring his trophy as his primary assignment to secure a commercial treaty with Calicut. However, Vasco had returned with black pepper and other merchandise.

Vasco repeatedly came back to the metaphorical Indian Idol stage, but as we know the trophy is available only once. The discoverer was allowed to participate but now the trophy has been taken by someone else. The Portuguese remained solely focused on trade, otherwise, they would never have allowed the British to enter India. After the Portuguese, many other sailors came to India for trade but their main mission turned into a political because including the English East India Company, Dutch, Danish, and France.

Goa was conquered by *Estado da India* (Portugal's registered company). They brought tobacco cultivation to India, spread Catholicism, established the first printing press in Goa, and abolished the *Sati practice* in Goa. Got something good!

> European countries had come to India for the spice trade, but at the same time, they added *mirch masala* to modern Indian history.

Vasco da Gama on the shores of Calicut; Source: History Central

vasquez_9b387dd4a8.jpg

History was changed today in 1498 when explorer Vasco da Gama saw the land of the golden birds... on the horizon. The waters were in control now, the wooden birds flew and trade began - a new wave was set for newer things, yet to come.

Vaishnavi Sharma

The First European in India

Vaishnavi Sharma

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इक दिन बिक जाएगा माटी के मोल जग में रह जाएंगे प्यारे तेरे बोल

मरो तो अकेले नही बल्कि दस चीनी सैनिकों को लेकर मरो

अखंड भारत के सूत्रधार

सफ़ेद साड़ी में लिपटा एक फ़रिश्ता