MURSHIDABAD

Location

Murshidabad is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges River. It forms part of the Murshidabad district.

The District of Murshidabad has an area of 5,550 square kilometres. It is divided into two nearly equal portions by the Bhagirathi, the ancient channel of the Ganges. The tract to the west, known as the Rarh, consists of hard clay and nodular limestone. The general level is high, but interspersed with marshes and seamed by hill torrents. The Bagri or eastern half belongs to alluvial plains of eastern Bengal. There are few permanent swamps; but the whole country is low-lying, and liable to annual inundation. In the north-west are a few small detached hillocks, said to be of basaltic formation.

History

During the 18th-century, Murshidabad was a prosperous city. It was the capital of the Bengal Subah in the Mughal Empire for seventy years, with a jurisdiction covering modern-day Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It was the seat of the hereditary Nawab of Bengal and the state’s treasury, revenue office and judiciary. Bengal was the richest Mughal province. Murshidabad was a cosmopolitan city. Its population peaked at 700,000 in the 1750s. It was home to wealthy banking and merchant families from different parts of the Indian subcontinent and wider Eurasia, including the Jagat Seth and Armenians.

European companies, including the British East India Company, the French East India Company, the Dutch East India Company and the Danish East India Company, conducted business and operated factories around the city. Silk was a major product of Murshidabad. The city was also a center of art and culture, including for ivory sculptors, Hindustani classical music and the Murshidabad style of Mughal painting.

The city’s decline began with the defeat of the last independent Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The Nawab was demoted to the status of a zamindar known as the Nawab of Murshidabad. The British shifted the treasury, courts and revenue office to Calcutta. In the 19th century, the population was estimated to be 46,000. Murshidabad became a district headquarters of the Bengal Presidency. It was declared as a municipality in 1869.

How to go?

Murshidabad is well connected to the rest of India by rail & road. Regular rail, as well as bus services, ply to and fro Murshidabad junction, well connected by several passenger and express trains. There are no direct buses for Murshidabad; you need to break your journey at Malda for a taxi to the same. There is no direct flight connectivity for Murshidabad. The nearest airport is the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

Main attraction – Hazarduari Palace

As the name suggests, Hazarduari is a palace with thousand doors. The palace was built in the nineteenth century during the reign of Nawab Nizam Humayun Jah who ruled Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. The architect of this masterpiece was Duncan Macleod.

What makes the palace unique?

It is not just the number of the doors that make the palace different from the rest, it is interesting to know that out of these thousand doors, only 100 of them were real doors, and the rest 900 were fake ones. You may wonder what the mystery behind the fake doors is. Well, the doors were built this way to protect the palace from predators. The idea was to confuse the attackers who attack the palace and try to escape, giving the Nawab’s guards enough time to catch them.

Palace Complex

The palace enclosure is known as Nizamat Kila or Kila Nizamat. Apart from this stunning structure, the palace complex also has Nizamat Imambara (a Muslim congregation hall), Wasif Manzil, Bacchawali Tope, Nawab Bahadur’s institution and three mosques that include the Madina mosque. Built just 40ft away from the banks of Bhagirathi River, the foundation of the palace was laid very deep, so the structure stays strong. The grand staircase to the palace and the Indo-European architectural style are other highlights of this magnificent structure. The palace was used as a venue for royal meetings and official discussions between the British and the Nawabs, and also as a residence for high-ranking British officials. However, today the palace is a museum that preserves the precious collection of the Nawabs that include furniture, paintings and antique pieces.

Palace Museum

The palace museum is today the biggest site museum managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The antiquities of the palace museum include the belongings of the royal family, which include a stunning chandelier of the Durbar hall which is the world’s second largest chandelier in the world, the first being one in the Buckingham Palace. This chandelier was gifted to the Nawab by Queen Victoria. The museum galleries include Armoury wings, Royal Exhibits, Landscape Gallery, British Portrait Gallery, Nawab Nazim Gallery, Durbar Hall, Committee Room, Billboards Room, Western Drawing room and Religious Objects’ Gallery to name a few. The palace is located at Murshidabad at West Bengal, and here’s how you can reach Murshidabad.

Overall, it’s a really nice place to have a refreshing weekend. You can enjoy the rich heritage of Indian history and have a quick glance into the Mughal era. So what are you waiting for? Pack up your bags and set out to seek the unknown!

Ambulance Dada

Meet Karimul Haque as known as Ambulance Dada, he is a tea garden worker in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal who ferries the ill, the poor, and the fragile to the district hospital on his bike. He turned down his bike to an ambulance. He and his bike is the lifeline for 20 villages in and around Dhalabari. This part of Bengal, known as Dooars and dominated by small tea growers, daily wagers and peasants, has mobile networks but lacks concrete roads and basic healthcare facilities.

In 1995 when he was unable to save her mother’s life due to lack of medical facility, he wasn’t found an ambulance to take her mother to the hospital, after this incident, he took an oath to himself that he, not let anyone else die due to insufficient ambulance coverage ,Haque’s motorbike ambulance plan came to him when one of his colleagues collapsed on the field. Since a regular ambulance could not reach him in time, Haque tied him to his back and made him ride pillion to the nearest hospital. His co-worker recovered from the illness, inspiring Haque to continue with this approach.

Since 1998 he providing motorcycle ambulance service around 20 villages Dhalabari, in Doar’s belt, where electricity service roads condition not well, nearest hospital 45 kilometers away. besides the ambulance service, he provides basic first-aid, medicine to the villagers. He spent most of his income on this medical service.

On 2017 he has received the Padma Shri award for his work supporting the villagers in and around Dhalabari by bringing sick people to hospital in his motorcycle ambulance.

**Karimul Haque received Padmashri from the president Pranab Mukherjee 2017**

Karimul Haque is the real-life hero after I read about this man I get an amazing motivation, we approx most of the time think about ourselves what we do after graduation, about our bank balance, we always think what we haven’t, People like Karimul teach us it’s not necessary to have all the things we want for our life, it’s important to have the courage and desire to do the thing.

AGRA

Location

Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is 206 kilometres (128 mi) south of the national capital New Delhi. Agra is the fourth-most populous city in Uttar Pradesh and 24th in India.

Historical Significance

There was an early reference to an “Agravana” in the ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, and Ptolemy is said to have called the site “Agra.” The city was founded by Sultan Sikandar of the Lodhi dynasty in the early 16th century to be the capital of the Delhi sultanate. Agra also served as the Mughal capital during some periods of that empire. In the late 18th century the city fell successively to the Jats, the Marathas, the Mughals, the ruler of Gwalior, and, finally, the British in 1803. It was the capital of Agra (later North-Western) province from 1833 to 1868 and was one of the main centres of the Indian Mutiny (1857–58).

Places to visit

Taj Mahal – Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal (17th century) which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. A complex mausoleum, the Taj Mahal is often considered to be the world’s best example of Mughal architecture. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Maḥal, in the mid-17th century. Agra Fort (16th century), called the Red Fort for its massive red sandstone walls, was built by the emperor Akbar; it contains the Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid; 17th century), constructed of white marble, and a palace, the Jahangiri Mahal. The fort was also designated a World Heritage site in 1983.
Agra Fort – A stone tablet at the gate of the Fort states that it had been built before 1000 but was later renovated by Akbar. The red sandstone fort was converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, the Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khaas (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), and the Musamman Burj. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal an inner paradise. The fort is crescent-shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi), and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A moat 9 metres (30 ft) wide and 10 metres (33 ft) deep surrounds the outer wall.
Fatehpur Sikri – The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km (22 mi) from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is often visited by tourists. The name of the place came about after the Mughal Emperor Babur defeated Raṇa Sanga in a battle at a place called Sikra (about 40 km from Agra). Then the Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters, so he built a majestic fort; due to the shortage of water, however, he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort.
Buland Darwaza – or ‘the lofty gateway’ was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1601 CE at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. The Buland Darwaza is approached by 52 steps. The Buland Darwaza is 53.63 metres (175.95 feet) high and 35 metres (115 feet) wide. It is made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by carving and black and white marble inlays. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza demonstrates Akbar’s religious broad-mindedness; it is a message from Jesus advising his followers not to consider this world as their permanent home.
Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah – It is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as a “jewel box”, sometimes called the “Bachcha Taj”, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. Along with the main building, the structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens. The tomb, built between 1622 and 1628, represents a transition between the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture – primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, as in Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra – to its second phase, based on white marble and pietra dura inlay, most elegantly realized in the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum was commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile, who had been given the title of Itimad-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). Mirza Ghiyas Beg was also the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (originally named Arjumand Bano, daughter of Asaf Khan), the wife of the emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Nur Jahan was also responsible for the construction of the Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore. It is noticeable for the first use of pietra dura (floral design made up of semiprecious stone) technique.

6. Akbar’s Tomb – The Tomb of the mighty Mughal Emperor Akbar is situated in the outskirts of Agra. The emperor got his tomb monument constructed while he was alive as his final resting place. His son Jahangir finished the complete construction which is totally done with sandstone and white marble. The monument that is found in Sikandra within the suburbs of Agra is built over a region of 119 acres surrounded by lovely gardens designed by the Emperor Akbar. Overseeing the tomb of himself while living is part of the Tartary tradition which Akbar followed for his own tomb. The tomb is toward the rising sun and roughly a kilometer close to his wife’s tomb also in Sikandra.

Other details

Tourism, handicrafts, agriculture and manufacturing make up Agra’s economy. Agra has a thriving small scale industry sector connected to leather goods and iron foundries.

The delicate inlay and carving work in white marble of the Taj Mahal started getting affected by the rising air pollution levels in Agra. In response in year 2000 the Supreme Court mandated that a “safe” zone of 50 kilometres around the monument – or the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) – be free of polluting industry and diesel vehicles. This has had scant impact on the pollution levels in the city in general as Agra ranked 4th most polluted city in 2016. The severe pollution is affecting tourism – both for visibility and health reasons.

The embodiment of L to P of Leadership and still learning!

“He listened to my idea for a minute, started (resumed) playing the game (on PlayStation) and said, ‘Do what you want, I have complete belief in you.’ And the next day I started bowling over the stumps.”
Said Ravichandran Ashwin in an interview with Cricbuzz decoding the strategy of Warner’s dismissal (in Bengaluru Test, 2017) that he had mentally worked out, to his Captain.
Need I say anything more about how should a good leader be?
“Ashwin had picked up 2 wickets in the first innings including that of Warner and in the second innings he ran through the Australian batting line-up by picking six for 41 as India drew level with a 75-run victory.

India then went on to win the series 2-1.”
(Source: Hindustan Times)
Virat has, for sure, set some high standards in always backing the instincts of his bowlers and letting them experiment freely, while also chipping in with his valuable inputs and setting the wickets of/field for particular batsmen.

“All three of us — Ishant (Sharma), (Jasprit) Bumrah, and I want to bowl with a new ball. When we are not able to choose, we approach Virat to decide. But he throws the ball back in our court saying whatever you all decide is fine by me,” Shami said.
Source: India TV

“We were playing the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It was getting into a draw and Chandimal was batting on 140 or 150, Ash was bowling, Chandimal hit one towards midwicket. It was in the mandatory overs, the match was going to end and he got a 248 in that match if I am not mistaken. And he runs as if his life depended on that ball, picks that ball and does an acrobatic throw,” R Sridhar, The fielding Coach of Team India told FanCode.

“You have a captain, who comes out to fielding practice till the time he is bleeding, I have seen that. There have been times where I would tell him – Virat enough. I have to save Virat from Virat sometimes. You have a captain like that, for me, it’s a dream come true,” he added.
Source: cricketaddictor.com

During an exclusive interview on Star Sports Cricket Connected, Gautam Gambhir said, “He was always a very smart cricketer, but then he turned his entire T20 career into a very successful one, just by being supremely fit. Probably because he does not have the strength of Chris Gayle, he doesn’t have the ability of AB de Villiers, he probably does not have the ability of somebody likes Jacques Kallis or Brian Lara. The biggest strength he’s got is now his fitness and he’s turned that into his game as well, that’s why he has become so successful, so you got to give it to the guy. The most important thing is that he runs really well between the wickets, not many people do it.”
Source: m.mid-day.com
Also checkout: https://internationaljournalofresearch.com/2020/06/09/virat-kohli-the-man-who-brought-about-a-fitness-revolution-in-global-cricket/

“I remember when I was new in the team he backed me a lot. In fact, now also, he is always there for me. He always appreciates your skills and we have a great tuning together,” he further added.

Kuldeep further went on to reveal Kohli’s best quality. “The best quality of Virat is that he also understands the team and its player’s well which makes our job easy on field,” he said.

In an interview also with Hindustan Times, Chahal said that Virat ‘talks me out of the negative mindset’.
Even if I am being hit by a batsman, Virat Bhaiya turns to me and talks me out of that negative mindset. That rapport is also there when we play for RCB.

On Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected, Yuzvendra Chahal said, “I have been playing with him for around 6 years now since our RCB days. One thing I have learned is that he is a down to earth person. No matter how much fame he has got, he will take everyone with him — whether it’s personal or on field; that I have learned from him.”

I know that he’s a gym freak and how he has changed his body. I want to learn that from him. I have seen him since he was 18-19- the transformation after 2012 or 2013, if anyone adopts even 30 per cent of what Virat did, it’s more than enough.”

In a recent chat in the fifth episode of ‘The Mind Behind’,

Rahul was questioned which batsman he would pick if he had to select someone to bat for his life. In his reply, the 27-year-old named Kohli as his choice. “I’ll go with Virat because I know, everybody knows he is a great player,” he said. We share a great friendship and he will give it all to save my life”.

“Virat, Rohit (Sharma) or Ravi sir don’t come and teach you the game. They have given me that freedom,” said Hardik Pandya.

“The security that they gave me backing with all their heart helped big time. That was the reason I started taking decisions on my own,” he added

Being blatantly honest here, maximum of these quoted statements of the articles are published within the previous 24 hours only. And if I go on to find more instances to support the fact how great a leader this man is, I’d terribly fail cause there are umpteen number of incidents happening ever since the guy became the Test Captain in 2015 post World Cup and India’s full-time captain in early 2017 and there are a lot more bound to happen provided that he stays motivated & passionate, which I know, you know, whole of India knows and the entire cricketing fraternity knows too, that he would and the blessings from the God keep outpouring.

Kohli smashed his 28th ODI ton with a stunning knock of 111* off 115 deliveries during the 5th India Vs West Indies ODI on 6th July, 2017 in Jamaica while chasing 206.

However, one is always in the learning phase and never *The know-it-all* or *The Perfect* and Virat has always continued to keep this thing in mind, neglecting the impact of rankings on his game & mindset, but at the same time, staying grounded and expressing gratitude for the achievements. He is always keen to explore, learn more and improve consistently without thinking of the results cause they automatically follow if the process is done rightly and the intention is to drive the team forward.
Let’s hear the man himself post he won all the 3 ICC awards in 2018.
https://www.facebook.com/icc/videos/363263704471608/?app=fbl

Architectural Beauties of India

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Among all the known civilizations in India, Indus Valley civilization(2600 BC- 1900 BC)is the oldest one.

It produced several cities marked by great uniformity within and between sites, including Harappa, Lothal, and the UNESCO World Heritage site Mohenjo–Daro.

After this civilization, many empires have established in India among which architectures of the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire show magnificent beauties.

The rock pillar of Ashoka shows a variety of influences in its details.

The Buddhist culture was one of the dominating cultures in India. Buddhist monasteries and stupas were built all over India before it eventually spread to other countries.

Ajanta, Elephanta, and Ellora are architectures of respectively Buddhist, Hindu, and mixed including Jain cultural beauties.

In south India Pallavas and Cholas, buildings are also amazing examples of some of the Flamboyant beauties of India.

some of the Architectural Wonders of India are-

The Taj Mahal

TAJ Mahal, the symbol of love was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 AD in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz.

It is a combination of Hindu and Indo-Islamic architecture. The white marble was bought in from Makrana in Rajasthan and was transported by elephants.

This one of the seven wonders of the world comprises of a square plinth having a central structure topped by a huge dome and surrounded by four minarets at each corner.

This white marble beauty’s exterior changes colors from a pinkish hue in the dawn to a dull gold at noon and finally, all enduring sparkling white under the moonlight.

The Ellore Caves

Ellora caves are listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site located in Maharastra. It is a combination of Buddism, Jainism, and brahmins cultures.

Ellora served as a group of monasteries (vihara) and temples (chaityas); some of the caves include sleeping cells that were carved for itinerant monks.

The caves consist of series of 34 rock-cut temples. Kailasa temple, Hindu Caves, Buddist Caves, Vishwakarma Caves are some of the caves of the Ellora. Among which Kailasa temple is the largest rock-cut structure anywhere.

The elegance of Dravidian Sikhara, which is a flat-roofed mandapa positioned over sixteen pillars, the gigantic Ravana figure reflecting the strength of this villainous legend as the sculpture here shows him lifting Mt Kailasha is an epitome of the ancient Indian art.

Chand Baori

It was built in the 9th century by the king Chanda. Chand Baori consists of 3500 steps called Baori or Bawdi, which leads down to the water of the well.

It is about 64 feet deep and India’s largest and deepest stepwell with 13 floors.

The exquisite geometry of the stepwell attracts tourists from all over the world.

Sun temple KONARK

Dedicated to Hindu God Sun, Sun temple KONARK was built in 13th century CE at Konark about 35 kilometers from Puri on the coastline of Orissa, India.

Temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone.

Lying on the coast of Bay of Bengal, it is considered one of the best examples of Dravidian Architecture. Also known as the Black Pagoda, it is considered as one of the grandest temples in India. Built-in the 13th century, it has a form of a giant chariot with twelve intricately crafted wheels led by seven horses. A true marvel that shows the advanced craftsmanship as well as love and devotion of that era for art.

The Sanchi Stupa

It was built in the 3rd century BC on the order of Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhist Philosophy.

A stupa is generally a hemispherical dome structure containing relics of Lord Buddha. In this particular stupa, Lord Buddha has been symbolically represented by footprints, thrones, wheels, etc. and all of them are exquisitely ornamented.

Mahabalipuram Temple

The rock-cut carving of Mahabalipuram depicts the scenes of the great epic Mahabharat.

The temple is most famous for its depictions of the chariots of the warriors of the Mahabharata, called Rathas all of which are in a specifically designated form, some rising to as high as two or three stories. There is another remarkable sculpture that adorns the temple walls which is called the Descent of the Ganges. Depicting the time when Lord Shiva made the River Ganga descend from the heavens to the earth, it uses the natural relief of the rock to emphasize the river and has carvings of various Gods and Goddesses beholding the wonder with their open eyes. The intricacy and ingenuity of the carvings are an example of the skill of the craftsman who constructed these temples way back in the 7th Century!

Khajuraho Temple

Khajuraho temples were built between 950 AD to 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. These are a group of Hindu and Jain temple in Chhatarpur district Madhya Pradesh.

These are a group of 85 temples. Falling into ruins, wars, and natural hazards, only 22 out of these remain today and are spread over a stunning area of 6sq.km.

The temple complex has three distinct types of carvings, the cult icons, the Apsaras (beautiful maidens), and demigods that are supposed to guard the temple. An example of the finest craftsmanship and precision all of the figurines appear in perfect human symmetry, is it a wonder then that it is said that to see all the stages of human life and its activities, one has but to visit these temples and observe the carvings!

Indians and their food

A person’s way to his heart is way through his stomach.

From the 1st century B. C. E Indians started off with the agricultural practices and they not only produced vegetables, but were also engaged in the production of herbs, spices and all kinds of cereals and pulses. At the same time, a lot of food, vegetables, cereals, meat, and other type of food was brought into the Indian subcontinent with each and every dynasty that ruled over this foodie country for hundreds of years. And India came to be known for it’s enormous variety of food – whether it is of the Indian origin or a mixture of Indi-foreign tastes – the country made it it’s own and presented it with a tinch of selfness. Centuries have passed away and the very essence of the Indianness of the Indian street and nobel cuisines.

It’s been years now, since we have been eating and experiencing a continuous change in a lot of local as well as foreign cuisines. The changing trend in this field has delighted both the restaurant chains as well as the connoisseur of food and new type of food. Not only, but Rajasthani, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, or South Indian food has gained love in every Indian plate but, cuisines such as Chinese, Italian, Thai and Mexican have made their way out and is loved all over the Indian subcontinent. Street food has taken over all of the towns and cities and people eat them with great pleasure;be it Indian or Chinese or any other type of meal, everyone tend to get more and more of dishes onto their plates.

The history –

Around 700 BCE, agriculture spread from the Fertile Crescent to the Indus Valley, a wheat and barely began to be grown. Sesame, and humped cattle were domesticated in the local farming communities. By 3000 BCE, turmeric, cardamom, black, pepper and mustard were harvested in India. The ancient Hindu text Mahabharata mentions rice and meat cooked together, and the word “pulao” is used to refer to the dish in ancient Sanskrit works, such as Yājñavalkya Smrti. These evidences are far enough to provide a great example of the historicity of India and the Indian food.

The mingling of cultures –

The coming of various dynasties and rulers over the Indian land has marked a great change in the way Indians looked at their food. The Mughals, the Persians, the Turks, Dutchess, Afghans and a large number of rules that ruled over this vast country brought with them new and delicious food that mingled with the flavours of Indianness. Travellers traveling to India during the 16th century or middle ages introduced new cooking methods and products to the region. These fusioned cuisines tend to adapt India cooking and seasoning techniques and made dishes well integrated.

Change in the eating habits –

Indian texts such as The Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita and Buddhist texts focuses primarily on their eating of Saatvic, raajsic, or taamsic food, as consumption of beef was considered taboo, due to cows being considered sacred in Hinduism. It was only after the coming up of Afghans, Mughals and Turks that eating beef or meat became an integral part of every Indian kitchen.

Today, street food have gained a lot of popularity among the youngsters as well as enthusiasts of food. Every Indian and foreign meal has taken over the Indian streets and made people fall for them. Apart from the restaurants, every dish is made available at the small shops and street vendors’ stalls, that has made the food cheaper and everyone can taste the food available at every part of the world

Indians have always been known for their food and eating habits that makes them shine on the world level. It is it’s historicity and the use of spices that has helped the Indian cuisine to be one of the favorites in the world that according to a report on Food Tourism issued by the UN World Tourism Organization states that

Over a third spending is devoted to food which shows how important the Indian cuisine has become.

Flavors of Delhi

Aloo Tikki, Afghani Street Bites, Chaat, Kebabs, Kachori Aloo, Chhole Bhature, Rajma Chawal, Parathas – these are reasons enough to call the Capital Delhi-Belly.

Delhi has always been a diverse city with people coming from all over India to settle and start a new life here. Many people know Delhi to be a city of rich cultural heritage. But Delhi, as a city, is so much more than that. And one aspect of this is the food in Delhi that makes it a great tourist place. The people of different cultures and traditions have brought with them their unique tastes to Delhi too.

It is not a hidden fact that Delhi has no particular food culture; the city acquires the identity of all types of people living here in its food preferences. The maze-like alleyways and marketplaces of Delhi are known to lure foodies with their curbside kiosks serving rich in taste street food while the studded restaurants add their own charm and elegance to the cuisine of the city.

Being an amalgamation of several cultures, Delhi is among the few places where you can find a South Indian devouring a serving of Butter Chicken and a Bengali enjoying Idli Sambhar, and it is not even astonishing anymore. The best part about this is that all these recipes are age-old, being handed down from generations after generations, helping them stay true to their original flavors.

Here’s what Delhi has to offer, apart from the traditional cuisine from all the states:

Mughlai Cuisine: One of the oldest cuisines being served to the Delhiites is the Mughlai cuisine. Even today the taste of the Mughal era can be felt in the Kebabs from the time of Delhi Sultanate while Nihari and Biryani have become a household name. The delicious fruit-flavored sorbets or Kulfi as we know them today were originally served in the Mughal kitchens. Karim’s and Ghantewala, famous for their Kebabs and Karachi Halwa respectively, have also served many of the Mughal emperors in the past.

Street Food: Another group of delicacies bringing the people together is the street food available in almost every lane of the city. Names like Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Bittu Tikki Wala, Nataraj Dahi Bhalla, Daulat Ki Chaat, and Al Jawahar have been churning out some of the country’s best street grub. There is a street named Parathe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk which in itself is enough to show the love people of this city have for Parathas.

International Cuisine: Along with the traditional dishes, Delhiites have also truly embraced the authentic International cuisines which means there is no trouble finding Chinese, Thai, Italian, and French cuisine to name a few. The Churros with chocolate sauce at La Bodega, the Glass Noodles at Gung, and the Cheese Kunafa at Zizo are gradually making their way into the hearts of Delhiites.

The diversity that Delhi shows in its food culture is a mere reflection of the people who have lived here in the past and the people who call it their home in the present. It is this diversity that brings the people together and makes Delhi a better tourist spot.

Indian Women Who Are FIRSTS In Their Field

In Indian history, where we find once upon a time women were not allowed to come in front of the males. They didn’t have the right to study, they didn’t have the freedom to talk. But some of the women who had broken the gender barriers worked hard for their rights and pioneers of woman empowerment, let’s see those women who are proved themselves in different fields and inspired millions.

1.Kadambini Ganguly was the first Indian and South Asian female physician and surgeon,1886 trained in western medicine, as well as one of the first female graduates in India, 1882

2.Chandramukhi Basu was one of the first two female graduates of the British Empire. In 1882, along with Kadambini Ganguly,

3.Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi became the first Indian female physician in the year 1887.

4.Kamini Roy was a Bengali poet, social worker, and feminist in British India. She was the first woman honors graduate in British India.

5.Rukhmabai was an Indian physician and feminist. She is best known for being one of the first practicing women doctors in colonial India

6. Sarla Chakra was the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft,she earned an aviation pilot license in 1936 at the age of 21 and flew a Gypsy Moth solo.

7.Durba Banerjee was the first pilot of Indian Airlines in 1956 and the first Indian woman commercial pilot.

8.Harita Kaur Deol was the first woman pilot to fly solo in Indian Air Force 1994

9.Arati Saha was an Indian long distance swimmer, best known for becoming the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel in 29 September 1959.

10.Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest In 1984.

11. Arunima Sinha is the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest. She is also the first Indian amputee to climb the Everest

12. Surekha Shankar Yadav is a female loco pilot of the Indian Railways in India. She became India’s first female train driver in 1988.

13.Shila Dawre became the country’s first woman auto-rickshaw driver when she first stepped into the ‘male-dominated’ zone in the year 1988.

14.Roshini Sharma recently became the first Indian woman to ride a motorbike from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

Indira Gandhi became the first woman Prime Minister of India and served from 1966 to 1977.1971, she became the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna award.

Mother Teresa became the first Indian woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979

Pratibha Patil, Indian lawyer, and politician who was the first woman to serve as president of India (2007–12).

Justice M. Fathima Beevi became the first female judge who was appointed to the Supreme Court of India in 1989.

Isha Basant Joshi She was the first woman ICS officer of British India

Kiran Bedi, joining Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972, Kiran Bedi became the first woman officer in India.

Sania Mirza,a professional tennis player, became the first ever Indian woman to win the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title in 2005.

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, also known as Mary Kom is the only woman boxer who has won a medal in each of the six World Championships.

Mithali Raj was the first woman to score a double hundred in Test Cricket (214* against New Zealand at Wellington, 2004).

Kalpana Chawla was an American astronaut, engineer, and the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997

Bharataratna Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi was an Indian Carnatic singer from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Homai Vyarawalla, commonly known by her pseudonym Dalda 13, was India’s first woman photojournalist.

Evaluation of Indian Architecture

Art, design, creativity, innovation, Music, dance, culture, and heritage is the Identity of INDIA. When we look back at our history of architecture we can understand why It’s Our pride. British, Dutch, Portuguese, Mughal, French foreign forces came to India and Buddhism, Jainism and other religions came here and spread their culture. That’s why Indian architecture is the fusion of a different kind of architectural style and tradition.

The History of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization,(2600 BCE – 1900 BCE) The Indus Valley Civilization covered a large area around the Indus River basin and beyond in late Bronze Age India. The civic and town planning and engineering aspects of these are remarkable, There are granaries, drains, water-courses and tanks, but neither palaces nor temples have been identified, though cities have a central raised and fortified “citadel”. Around the 2000 year ago India had Smart cities Like Harappa, Lothal, Mohenjo-Daro

**Indus Valley Civilisation** source of the pictures GOOGLE

After the Indus Valley Civilization, there are few traces of Indian architecture, which probably mostly used wood, or brick which has been recycled,

Probably around 400 BCE Indian rock-cut architecture, mostly Buddhist, and there are also a number of Buddhist images that give very useful information.

Buddhist construction of monastic buildings apparently begins before the death of Buddha.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha

**Sanchi Stupa** **is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh**,

Temple Architecture was a gradual evolution starting from the rock cut- cave temples to monolithic rathas which finally culminated in structural temples

The middle period saw great developments in the field of architecture. With the coming of Muslims to India, many new features came to be introduced in buildings. The development of the Muslim Style of Architecture of this period can be called the Indo-Islamic Architecture or the Indian Architecture influenced by Islamic Art. The Indo-Islamic style was neither strictly Islamic nor strictly Hindu, One of the best architectural traditional style

**The Taj Mahal**, **one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.**

With colonization, a new chapter in Indian architecture began. The Dutch, Portuguese and the French made their presence felt through their buildings but it was the English who had a lasting impact on Colonial architecture.

The **Victoria Memorial** is a large marble building in **Kolkata, West Bengal, India,** which was built between 1906 and 1921

Now we are living in the 21st-century style, traditional, plan structure changed, modified but these architectures are immortal and inspiring generation after generation.

From Indus Valley to eco-friendly plan creativity, hard work, ideas, style tradition makes our country beautiful.

LAC- India v/s China

Amid the going tensions of the world crisis, Indian and Chinese armies are again and again clashing at various points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Although, there were many times in the past when the two armies clashed with each other since there has not been a proper demarcation of the border lines between the two large economies. Also, incidents as these are uncommon along the LAC as both sides have differing perceptions of the alignment of boundaries. But what has caused a sudden attack on the Line of Actual Control?

Reasons for the current standoff-

Recently the standoff at LAC occurred at four places- Pangong Tso, Galwan Nalah, Demchock in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim, though the specific reasons for these clashes remain unclear. However, co-ordinated nature of Chinese intrusions at different points along LAC have raised concerns about Beijing’s intentions. At times it’s been noted that China’s reaction to Indian efforts over the last few years to build border infrastructure has been ultrasensitive and it fears that activities such as-

Construction of a feeder road near Galwan river connecting with the DS-DBO road.
Building a road in Pangong lake area.

Although both the new roads lie on the Indian side of LAC, their purpose is to strengthen further the Indian position along the LAC which might have irritated China which feared it and might have threatened it’s occupation of Aksai Chin and Lhasa-Kashgar highway. Also, China remains much more concerned about the newly constructed Dharchula to Lipulekh and believes that this newly inaugurated road has affected China’s border security in Tibet. While India decided to split Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir last year, a that unsettled Pakistan. Many experts believe India’s aggressive position on the issue of Ladakh and PoK is the real reason behind current standoff.

What is China trying to signal?

This time, the scope, scale and posture of China’s moves were unprecedented. Against the backdrop of dramatically slowing economy, criticism for the handling of the outbreak of the Coronavirus and worsening ties with many countries, Chinese leaders may have felt the need to show strength, especially over questions of national sovereignty. This can be seen, not only regarding the border with India, but also regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. Considering the United States as it’s main “rival”, and not India, it generally seeks to maintain stability in the border dispute with India.

Current status-

After a tough tug and war between the two countries along their security lines, both the sides are currently engaged in the dialogue process at an appropriate level to avoid every kind of tensions between the two.Senior military commanders of India and China were scheduled to meet on 6th June to find a solution, and as a result, both sides have slightly retreated from their current positions. While Chinese Army had reportedly retreated by 2kms, the Indian Army has stepped back by one kilometres.

History of LAC-

In 1993, after years of territorial standoffs and negotiations, China and India finally signed an agreement which attempted to mark out a long stretch of border between the two countries. This came to be known as the Line of Actual Control, but it’s precise location can be blurry, and there is still dispute between both of the world’s leading powers.
So far, this LAC has served as the de facto border between these two countries. Since, India is close to complete a major upgrade of border roads, including a strategic military-use road that connects an airfield at Dalut Beg Oldie in northern tip of the Western section with the villages of Shyok and Darbuk towards the South, also India reactivated and rebuilt airfields along the border. It has also raised two mountain divisions and is creating a mountain strike corps to conduct offensive operations against China along the border.
Thus, the increased frequency of standoffs between the two are major cause of worry. If these standoffs drags on, nationalistic fervour is bound to kick in. The resultant public groundswell would restrict the options available to political leaders of both sides to resolve the issue.

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The history –

The mingling of cultures –

Change in the eating habits –

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Reasons for the current standoff-

What is China trying to signal?

Current status-

History of LAC-

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