History

JANTAR MANTAR

About Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur built five Jantar Mantars in  eighteenth century: New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi. These completed between 1724 and 1735. It consists of about 20 primary stationary instruments. These are massive brick replicas of well-known instruments, many of which have unique qualities of …

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The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Two bills that were introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 26, 2023. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which re-organized the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature). …

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Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

In the background of International flags the diplomats joining hands in the faceless picture

The term “Vienna Convention” can refer to any of a number of treaties signed in Vienna, most of which are related to the harmonisation or formalisation of the procedures of International Diplomacy. The treaty being referred to by the MEA in this instance is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations …

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House panel expresses concern over slow documentation of antiquities

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has expressed dismay at the slow pace of documentation of antiquities noting that this was critical in proving ownership and reclaiming stolen heritage items. The government has been intent on securing the repatriation of stolen Indian artefacts from abroad. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism …

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Genomic data throw light on demise of Copper Age

Context: An analysis of ancient human genomic data suggests that Copper Age farmers and steppe pastoralists may have interacted 1,000 years earlier than previously thought. Key Points: The findings, published in Nature, may aid our understanding of the demise of the Copper Age and the expansion of pastoralist groups around …

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Ahimsa, the highest dharma

All faiths and sastras in one voice hail ahimsa as the sole pride of humanitarian society and hence advice people to uphold it in their individual and social contexts, pointed out Swami Omkarananda in a discourse. It fosters all good virtues in people and inspires them towards righteous living. The …

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Keeladi findings traceable to 6th century BCE: report

“This finding suggests that the society in Keeladi had used animals predominantly for agricultural purposes,” Mr. Udhayachandran said. Tamil-Brahmi potsherds Fifty-six Tamil-Brahmi inscribed potsherds were recovered from the site of excavation conducted by the TNAD alone, the report stated. Pottery specimens from Keeladi sent to the Earth Science Department of …

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Freedom fighter’s flag to flutter after 72 years

Khadi flag was specially made in 1947 after it was clear that the British were leaving Nurul Hussain intended to display his father’s most prized possession — a khadi Tricolour of 1947 vintage — to mark India’s 75th Independence Day. But friends and neighbours in Sivasagar district’s Demow town, about …

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Idea of dividing Kashmir has a chequered history

It goes back to the Dixon Plan of 1950, which was not accepted by India The idea of dividing Jammu and Kashmir into two or more parts has a chequered history, tracing its origin to the Dixon Plan of 1950. Owen Dixon, an Australian jurist chosen by the United Nations …

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