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History Archive
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It’s not to Hate Tipu but to Know the Truth
Posted on March 11, 2013 | 29 CommentsThis is a translation of Pratap Simha’s Kannada Prabha column titled Tippuvannu dweshisabekendalla, satya tiliyali endu, published on 9 March 2013. Comments and criticism welcome as always. Image courtesy: Kannada Prabha “I’ll give you a fresh sample of a lie uttered by a writer. In... -
The Case Against Dishonesty
Posted on December 10, 2012 | 34 CommentsMy feelings for the multi-headed and ever-reverse-evolving beast called the Indian National Interest alias Takshashila alias…whatever its next avatar…have similarly evolved over the past 5-6 years. In the reverse. Currently, I feel infinite pity. It could change depending on what shape they’ll take tomorrow. From... -
Coming Soon: An Entitlement University Named After a Mass Murderer
Posted on November 27, 2012 | 41 CommentsThis man has caused great loss not only to the Muslim community but to the entire society. He may be occupying a very high office, but we will not spare him. He has committed grave and deliberate mistakes. I have ordered a detailed inquiry into... -
Girish Karnad’s Toxic Tantrums
Posted on November 5, 2012 | 58 CommentsSo Girish Karnad is back again. In style. And with a fury I scarcely expected he was capable of. It’s really a monumental pity that a fine actor like Girish Karnad can nary control his itch to mouth inanities. On Friday afternoon at the Tata... -
On The Need to Revive the Temple Culture
Posted on October 16, 2012 | 56 CommentsHow often have you heard this refrain or its variants: Naah! I don’t go to temples. I don’t like going to temples…I mean, there’s no point…all that noise, meaningless mantras and rituals…some are so unhygienic…I believe in God but I’m spiritual…after all, Hinduism is a... -
Mahatma Gandhi’s True Legacy
Posted on October 4, 2012 | 89 CommentsExactly one refrain emanating from the 1970s generation encapsulates the significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday: a complaint that October 2nd is a Dry Day. That’s what Gandhi has been reduced to after 65 years: a symbol of Prohibition that middle class India must vocally protest... -
Disquisition or Publicity?
Posted on September 10, 2012 | 7 CommentsNote: These are excerpts from D.V. Gundappa’s Kannada book entitled Vrutta Patrike (Newspaper) first published in 1928 then reprinted a few times. The book is a collection of essays derived from D.V. Gundappa’s speeches and writings roughly beginning in 1928. My translation uses the enlarged... -
The Madurai Sultanate: Assessment and Closing Notes
Posted on June 26, 2012 | 19 CommentsBack to the Beginning Our history of the Madurai Sultanate began with the disintegration of the Pandyan empire for a reason. The death of Maravarman Kulashekara Pandya I in 1308 marks the beginning of the end of any semblance of stability or sustained rule by... -
The Madurai Sultanate: Decline and Extinction
Posted on June 25, 2012 | 6 CommentsThe Rise and Fall of Nasiru-d-din After Ghiyath-ud-din Dhamaghani succumbed to an overdose of aphrodisiac, his nephew, Nasiru-d-din became the Sultan of Madura. Nasiru-d-din bought his way to the throne by splurging lavish quantities of gold on his nobles and the army. Nasiru-d-din was originally... -
The Madurai Sultanate: Death of Ghiyath-ud-Din Dhamaghani
Posted on June 24, 2012 | 5 CommentsThe Vacillating Fortunes of Vira Ballala III Vira Ballala III was the last great Hoysala monarch after his more-renowned ancestor, Bittideva or Vishnuvardhana who pre-dated him by more than a century. Vira Ballala III was also the Hoysala king who suffered perennial and severe loss... -
The Madurai Sultanate: Establishment of the Madurai Sultanate
Posted on June 23, 2012 | 5 CommentsThe Rise of the Madurai Sultanate When Muhammad Bin Tughluq was the Sultan, the region south of the Vindhyas was divided thus: Dekkan with its capital at Devagiri, which had declared independence about four years prior to Tughluq’s death. This was roughly what’s known as... -
The Madurai Sultanate: Two Rebellions in Ma’bar
Posted on June 22, 2012 | 3 CommentsThe Second Muslim Incursion In February-March 1325, Prince Juna (Jauna) alias Ulugh Khan occupied the throne of Delhi and became Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq after the murder or bizarre accident in which his father Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq perished. Tomes have been written about the eccentricity, outlandishness,...