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Kaustubh Shukla
May 12, 20245 min read
Did Ashoka really convert to Buddhism?
The story of Ashoka the Great's conversion to Buddhism is often simplified as a reaction to the Kalinga War's brutality. But is it so?
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Kaustubh Shukla
May 11, 20243 min read
Did the Mauryan Empire Expand into South India?
There is ample evidence that the Mauryan Empire, a juggernaut of ancient India, stretched across a vast territory – from today's...
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Harshita Sarote
May 22, 20232 min read
The Peacock Throne: A Tale of Power, Intrigue, and Elusive Treasure
Envision a throne that took seven years to build, at an astonishing cost of over ten million rupees. Can you visualize the intricate...
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May 19, 20232 min read
Noor Jahan - more than just a Mughal Empress
When we think of Mughal rulers, we always picture the likes of Akbar, Shah Jahan, & Aurangzeb. But the backstage, from behind the...
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May 19, 20233 min read
Who was Dara Shikoh and why should we know about him?
I have a copy of Max Muller’s Upniashads and in its introductory essay, I found something, which, for me was a surprising discovery. Max...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Sep 24, 20202 min read
Maharishi Kashyapa - Creator of various creatures
We have seen that Garud and Aruna were born to Rishi Kashyap through Vinata. We also saw that whole Serpent species originated from him...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Sep 17, 20202 min read
Ganesha wrote the Mahabharat - but why? and how?
Vyasa needed a scribe who could write Mahabharat down while he narrates it. Brahma recommended Ganesha, the god of knowledge himself! But...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Sep 12, 20203 min read
The contents of Mahabharat - As stated by Vyasa himself in Mahabharat
Vyasa was anxious that he had no scribe to write his new poem down. He describes what all subjects to Brahma and asked "Who can write it?"
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Kaustubh Shukla
Aug 31, 20203 min read
Where did Vinata’s son go?
Aruna, the premature and partially developed child of Vinata was also known as the personification of the reddish glow of Surya whose...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Aug 22, 20207 min read
Why is Mahabharat so great? Here’s what Maharshi Vaishampayan tells about the work of his Guru
Mahabharat, knowingly or unknowingly, is in the blood of every Indian. For ages, it has influenced the philosophy, art, culture and even...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Jun 23, 20203 min read
The wittiest people in Indian history and mythology?
When we hear “the wittiest people in indian history and Mythology” the first person that comes to mind is Chanakya. He is known for...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 29, 20203 min read
Was Kaling a Republic (at the time of war with Ashoka)? Part 1: Kalinga at the time.
Many times, we get to read or hear that Kalinga, at the time of Ashok's attack on it, was a republic state. I too have come across such...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 27, 20203 min read
Role of India in shaping the history of the Ancient West.
Battle of Ipsus, fought in 301 BCE, was one of the major turning points in the history of ancient Europe and Asia-minor. The battle was...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 24, 20202 min read
Is History Objective or Subjective?
World War 2 was fought between 1939 and 1945. Ok. No one can deny that - there may be official declarations in government offices to...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 24, 20202 min read
Indian Itihas and Western Histories - the two ancient styles of historic documentation.
The Greeks and Romans were habitual to accurate historical documentation even two millennia ago. As far back as 5th Century BCE,...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 23, 20203 min read
Does History change with time?
Anything that has happened, cannot be changed. History is documentation of past events, so it also be unchangeable! But is it so?
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 14, 20202 min read
Why was Chanakya's untying of hair-knot (Shikha) so iconic?
...Chanakya's vowing not to tie it until his enemy is destroyed seems to have meant that he vowed not to undertake any other activity...
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Kaustubh Shukla
Apr 14, 20202 min read
Why Mauryan Empire is often considered as the starting point for Indian history?
...We have a lot more information available to us today about the Mauryans and contemporary India than any other period before that...
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