Questions tagged [india]
A country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south-west, and the Bay of Bengal on the south-east, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Burma and Bangladesh to the east.
366
questions
-1
votes
0
answers
104
views
Can you supply me with any references regarding what really happened in 1965 and 1971 with the Tanot Mata Temple?
Wikipedia: Tanot Mata Temple
Tanot was attacked by the Pakistan Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, during which 3,000 bombs were fired towards the temple. However, as per local lore, the ...
- 125
-1
votes
1
answer
111
views
Was the earliest precursor of chess part of Indo-European culture?
I've recently delved into the historical roots of chess and have come across some intriguing information that I'd like some further insight on. As per the History of chess , Chaturanga is recognized ...
user62125
0
votes
0
answers
74
views
Why did Christopher Columbus underestimated that much when planning his trip to India? [duplicate]
On the one hand, Europeans knew about the roundness and size of our planet since Eratosthenes (third century BCE). The measurement was extraordinarily precise (~1% error).
On the other hand, the ...
- 737
1
vote
0
answers
90
views
Why did the Marathas plan to crown the Peshwa's son as the Emperor but not the Peshwa himself?
The Marathas wanted to depose the Mughal Emperor during the Maratha-Afghan war (the 3rd battle of Panipat) and crown Viswasrao (the son of the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao Nanasahib) as the Emperor.
I got ...
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
What is the origin of playing Holi with colors?
How has Holi evolved? And how was it played some time ago, as making color pigments must have been expensive? Was it reserved for the elites like the royal family?
Or is playing with colors a modern ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
91
views
What laws governed the Punjab under British rule during the Board of Administration between 1849 and 1853?
Given that the Indian Penal Code wasn't introduced until 1860 and then later the Punjab Laws Act of 1872 I am trying to gain a better understanding of the laws governing the Punjab under British rule ...
0
votes
1
answer
222
views
Why was the Kashmir issue not completely solved at the end of Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971?
India, at that point, had won the war and could have taken over the entire Kashmir.
However, they agreed to make the issue a two-party negotiation only, thus barring intervention by third parties. ...
2
votes
1
answer
185
views
Why was Maharana Kumbha killed by his own son?
Wikipedia asserts:
Kumbha was killed by his son Udaysimha (Udai Singh I), who thereafter became known as Hatyara (Murderer). Udai himself died in 1473, with the cause of death sometimes being stated ...
- 165
0
votes
0
answers
239
views
Was there any idea proposed except "Two-Nation Theory" to alleviate the concerns of Indian Muslims due to the aftermath of 1937 election?
“Two-Nation Theory” refers to the thesis that Hindus and Muslims in India were two distinct communities that could not coexist within a single state without dominating and discriminating against each ...
user56109
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is Indus civilization over 8000 years old? [closed]
In many news sites (1) , (2), it is written that Indus civilization is over 8000 years old by a study by IIT KGP and Archaeological association of India. However the wiki dates don't align with these ...
2
votes
1
answer
247
views
Did West Pakistan not factor in Indian miltary intervention when it cracked down on East Pakistan in 1971?
When West Pakistan launched "Operation Searchlight" to quell Bengali dissidents in March 1971, did the think-tank know that India would soon be involved in the war?
Did they not forsee that ...
- 228
2
votes
1
answer
747
views
How did the Jats come to own so much land in North West India?
I am interested in history of Jats which live mostly in states of Punjab, Haryana, Western U.P. , Rajasthan. I am not reading from historians of the Jat community as they wrote in Hagiographical Style ...
- 111
6
votes
1
answer
597
views
How have European countries affected the caste system in India?
The caste system in India is the paradigmatic ethnographic example of caste. It has its origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern ...
0
votes
0
answers
344
views
Why did Muhammad Ali Jinnah leave Congress?
According to Wikipedia:
He was a member of the moderate group in the Congress, favoring Hindu–Muslim unity in achieving self-government, and following such leaders as Mehta, Naoroji, and Gopal ...
user56109
0
votes
0
answers
71
views
In Mughal India, which factors determined which countries were allowed forts?
I'm roughly halfway through this excellent extensive book: Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company. One of the more memorable sections to me was the account of how the first gestures ...
- 237
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Where was gunpowder invented/ discovered?
There are many people on the internet claiming that India discovered/ invented gunpowder for eg, many of these claims quote Dr. Gustav Oppart (acs.org, and see below). Wikipedia says that gunpowder ...
2
votes
0
answers
147
views
Did mother Teresa ask to allow to Christianise Arunachal Pradesh to receive Bharat Ratna?
Mother Teresa is a popular person, generally known for her humanitarian work. But from my childhood, I repeatedly used to hear that she promoted and converted many Indians to Christianity either ...
- 129
5
votes
0
answers
156
views
Who was the PAF aviator nicknamed as "8-Pass Charlie" by IAF in Indo-Pakistan 1965 War?
Indian Airforce veterans who were posted at Adampur IAF airbase make special note of the aviator nicknamed '8-pass Charlie'. He was supposedly given the epithet by the Indians who were apparently ...
1
vote
1
answer
159
views
When did the Hindu-Muslim split start in India? [closed]
I know that Emperor Akbar did a lot of hard work to make Hindus and Muslims closer e.g. marrying Hindu women, manufacturing a new religion named "Din-e-ilahi", etc. He also had Hindu ...
user52230
4
votes
1
answer
589
views
Did France send ships to the Indian Ocean in 1971 in support of Pakistan?
During the Bangladesh Liberation War and related Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 which lead to the independence of Bangladesh, the US executive branch is known to have sent Task Force 74 in the Bay of ...
- 151
0
votes
0
answers
139
views
Why did the status of women in India decline?
If one looks at the present dynamic structure of Indian society one can see that though constantly changing, it still has in its heart many socio-cultural elements that can be traced by or said to ...
- 119
5
votes
1
answer
256
views
Why did Lord Mountbatten shrink the timeline for the withdrawal of British troops from India?
Britain's exit from India and a peaceful transition of power was supposed to take place gradually over a period of 5 years but it was shrunk to 4 months by Lord Mountbatten. It was his negotiations ...
- 151
5
votes
1
answer
279
views
Why did the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and Statute of Westminster (1931) only deal with Dominions?
I have been reading about the abdication of Edward VIII. I understand that due to recent changes brought about by the Statute of Westminster, changes to crown succession - including abdication - ...
- 255
8
votes
0
answers
171
views
Why is there such a dramatic shift in Tamil script during the 3rd to 5th centuries AD?
I have already asked this question in Linguistics.SE but I didn't get any answers and the comments there spoke of historical reasons rather than Linguistics shifts so I'm asking here.
Recently, I was ...
- 195
6
votes
0
answers
115
views
Why has the shape of the depiction of Sikh Guru's beard changed?
I was looking at the old pictures of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. I found out that something is odd if we compare them with the modern depictions of both Gurus. I looked for other old ...
- 61
1
vote
2
answers
239
views
Why did so large places of vastly different cultures and histories unite as India?
I sometimes don't exactly understand how it happened that in India, so many places with so many different cultures got united under one flag. If you see each state in India has its own languages, ...
1
vote
1
answer
181
views
How was wealth accumulated in higher castes of India?
This study found that upper caste Indians own vast majority of wealth and assets in India though they make up lesser amount of population (refer). Even with all the reservation schemes in India, how ...
4
votes
0
answers
124
views
What was president Ayub Khan's plan on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965?
Surprisingly, the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 was concentrated on the western front only. That is because the war lasted only 17 days and ended up in a ceasefire.
After the 1965 war, one of the ...
user52230
2
votes
0
answers
50
views
Was religion in India a matter of choice for people during Mauryan empire?
The three most important kings of the Mauryan empire were followers of different religions, though there are disputes since there is not enough evidence to support the claims about Chandragupta & ...
- 245
3
votes
2
answers
567
views
Why do many Indian Languages have different alphabets?
I see that German, English and French mostly share the same basic set of alphabet and these are languages are spoken by whole countries but if you go to India, there is a state with a new alphabet set ...
1
vote
0
answers
63
views
Which is the first Hindu scripture that mentions zodiac signs by name?
The following are the names of zodiac signs
Mesha (Aries),
Vrushabha (Taurus),
Mithuna (Gemini),
Karkat (Cancer),
Simha (Leo),
Kanya (Virgo),
Tula (Libra),
Vrushchika (Scorpio),
Dhanu (Sagittarius),
...
user52548
4
votes
2
answers
17k
views
What was the cause of death of Male Rao Holkar?
As per Wiki article on Male Rao Holkar, son of Ahilyabai Holkar:
Shrimant Subhedar Male Rao Holkar II Bahadur (1745 – 5 April 1767), belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas was the Maharaja ...
- 165
2
votes
1
answer
162
views
What is the flower-like motif appearing right on top of the arches of structures built by Qutb Shahi dynasty?
This floral motif could be found on almost every structure built by the Qutub Shahi dynasty/ the Deccan Sultanate.
Below image is from Charminar, Hyderabad.
Similar motifs on Qutb Shahi Tombs:
One ...
- 23
8
votes
1
answer
388
views
Why did the Portuguese permit an Italian commercial agent to accompany Vasco da Gama on the 4th Portuguese India Armada?
From Conquerors by Roger Crowley,
A second detachment of five ships under Estevao de Gama followed on April 1. The amplified expedition included a number of observers who would write eyewitness ...
- 497
0
votes
0
answers
73
views
How has the mechanism of caste inheritance evolved with time in India?
Recent rulings have been that the child chooses from which side of the parent the caste he wants to take (1). Authoritatively, according to Hindu holy books, you can choose what caste you want to be ...
user49368
5
votes
1
answer
144
views
Were the societies envisioned in the Dharmasastras ever reflective of reality?
Were the Dharmasastras like Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti ever implemented in ancient Indian society ? Or did they only represent the ideal or utopia Hinduism imagines could be achieved?
bhatnagar prakhar
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
Can you identify this dress uniform (Lucknow, India, around 1911)?
My husband’s grandmother, born illegitimate, did not know her father. She was told that this is him. She was conceived in India in November 1911. I would like to identify the dress uniform. I know it’...
- 21
3
votes
0
answers
123
views
What led to the alternate definition of secularism in India?
I was reading this post explaining how secularism is understood in India, it turns out that it is quite different from how it is understood in a dictionary/ in the west.
In the West, the word secular ...
user49368
4
votes
0
answers
235
views
What was the Indian nobility's reaction to the construction of Veeranam Eri (வீராணம் ஏரி)?
Background Information
In the South of Medieval India, there was a wealthy and powerful empire called the Chola Empire.
In between the years 907-955 AD, the king (or Raja) Parantaka the First (...
1
vote
0
answers
105
views
Is there a source for this anecdote about Chandragupta Maurya, battle strategies and hot rice? [closed]
An anecdote (1) about Chandragupta Maurya indicates he learnt that attacking margins is a better battle strategy than attacking the center, and that this insight came from a hot dish (possibly hot ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
264
views
Is there any evidence of the miracles of Tulsidas?
Several miracles are attributed to the great medieval poet and philosopher Tulsidas, among them reviving the dead, and one of the ones that most caught my attention was his arrest by Emperor Akbar. ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
209
views
Did the Indus Valley Civilization use cotton as a writing material?
Cross-posted from Skeptics SE
In his book, Science and Secrets of Early Medicine, Jürgen Thorwald writes about the script of the Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilizations: (in rough translation)
Seals, ...
- 159
2
votes
0
answers
185
views
Why did the British Empire try to criminalize cannabis in India three times when they had good experience with its taxation?
The British Empire passed a taxation act on cannabis in India in 1798, apparently for the well-being of the natives. What the most likely motivation behind the taxation act is, I don't know.
In 1838, ...
- 227
4
votes
1
answer
276
views
Is the Krishna (a god within Hinduism), an appropriated historical figure?
Some people on quora etc, put claims to redefine the events within in the Hinduism theology as verifiable & scientifically true historical events and in such an attempt, the Mythological narrative ...
- 177
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Were there religious wars between two sects in Hinduism?
Shaivism and Vaishnavism, are two major sects within the umbrella of Hinduism, each with a different deity as their Supreme God.
This difference, is thought to have, in the ancient and even recent ...
- 177
0
votes
0
answers
93
views
What's the earliest researched based evidence for Holi?
Holi is an important festival in Hinduism, generally falling between the months of February to April, as per the relevant calculations of the Hindu Luni-solar calendar.
I'd like to have an account ...
- 177
1
vote
2
answers
242
views
What do these lines on the origins of Hindu/Muslim communal consciousness mean?
From The Production of Hindu-Muslim Violence in Contemporary India by Paul R. Brass:
Historical analysis of Hindu-Muslim communal conflict, its causes and preconditions, has been highly contentious ...
- 113
-3
votes
2
answers
275
views
Does the idea of white Europeans being the "true Aryans" come from the British India? [closed]
I have recently had a conversation with a man from India over the Internet and he told me this interesting claim.
He said that "Aryan" meant "noble" in Sanskrit, and the British, ...
- 32.4k
1
vote
0
answers
89
views
How many British and British affiliated Indians lost their lives in the Indian freedom struggle?
There is a lot of material on how many Indians lost their lives, killed or missing in the British colonial era.
But how many people affiliated to the East India Company and later, the British Empire ...
- 124
2
votes
1
answer
270
views
Is Rama Setu a historical proof of Ramayana?
Can Rama Setu be a historical proof of Ramayana?
Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu,[b] is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of ...
- 185