जवाहरलाल नेहरू नहीं, देश के पहले प्रधानमंत्री सुभाष चंद्र बोस थे और देश के प्रधानमंत्री ने पहला झंडा लाल किले पर नहीं बल्कि पोर्ट ब्लेयर में फहराया था। वो साल भी अलग था, वो सरकार भी अलग थी, वो हालात भी अलग थे और वो झंडा भी।

पोर्ट ब्लेयर में देश का झंडा

A name and a voice nobody would be unaware of. From Roop Tera Mastaana to Ye Shaam Mastaani, this man himself is too Mastaana in various ways. Here's to celebrating an outstanding voice that has ruled the Bollywood music industry for years, here's to the peppy and talented Kishore Da!

Yaadon Ki Baarat with Kishore Da

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

The sky was never the limit for India. The country got the Department of Space to strengthen ISRO and showcase its science and technology power to the world. The level of Standards and the number of achievements in the field have only gone up since then.

Aiming For The Stars

The mountain which had killed numerous of their kind. Mount Everest had finally been conquered by a humble Sherpa and his partner Edmund Hillary. A moment of pride for humanity as the highest peak stood beneath them.

A Climb To Remember

A dancer par excellence, Kamala has taken Bharatnatyam to new heights. Graceful and fierce in her form, she remains one of the best in her field.

The Spectacular Sensation

हिन्दू धर्म को स्वरूप देने में एक नाम इनका भी है। भाई जी लड़ाई लड़ आज़ादी की रहे थे और जीत धर्म की गए। नाम से ज़्यादा काम में रूचि रखने वाले भाई जी अपने जैसे इकलौते ही थे।

जन्म 18 सितंबर 1892 को हुआ

आस्तिक भाई जी

It had been a hundred years of foreign oppression. The water went far above the heads when the Enfield Rifle was introduced! A fire was burning in all and it brought a storm along when soldiers from Meerut picked their guns. The thirst for freedom had arisen!

Khilqat Khuda ki, Mulk Badshah ka, Hukm Company ka!

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_937b1a7f53.jpg

Colonialism

Industries

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

Vasco da Gama- The First European in India

Vaishnavi Sharma

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पोर्ट ब्लेयर में देश का झंडा

Yaadon Ki Baarat with Kishore Da

The Knight In White Armour

The Haunted Hues Of Chand Baoli