Context: A district court has recently accepted a petition claiming that a Shiva temple lies beneath the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. Life and Legacy Alternate Names: Also known as Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, he is venerated with the title Ghareeb Nawaz (Benefactor of the …
Read More »History
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Context: Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2024, celebrated on November 15, coincided with Kartik Purnima. Also referred to as Gurpurab, it honors the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (c. 1469–1539 CE) Birth: Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Talwandi …
Read More »A Crisis in West Asia-North Africa (WANA)
Context: The ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in widespread destruction, significant displacement of populations, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Background Enduring Legacy of Conflict: Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced 15 military coups, endured two civil wars, …
Read More »Gotipua Dance and Its Decline in Odisha
Historical Background: The Gotipua dance tradition began in Odisha during the 16th century under the patronage of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev. In the Oriya language, “Goti” means single and “Pua” means boy. This dance form was developed as a male counterpart to the Mahari tradition, which involved ritualistic dances …
Read More »Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Overview Background: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to reform the governance of Waqf properties, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following opposition protests. Definition of Waqf Property Waqf: This refers to a donation of personal property by Muslims for religious, charitable, or …
Read More »Alwar peasant movement and the Neemuchana massacre.
Social Fabric of Alwar State: Relation between Court and the Rajputs Hereditary Rule: Alwar, like other Rajput states, functioned with a hereditary monarchy. The Maharaja held significant power, but not absolute. Rajput Privileges: Rajputs enjoyed land grants, held military positions, and wielded influence in the court. This created a social …
Read More »Ahilya Bai Holkar – A Model Leader
Today, we celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of the Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar — a great administrator and visionary with a spiritual inclination. GS 1 : Ahilya Bai Holkar’s social, economic, and cultural contributions. About Ahilya Bai Holkar Early Life and Rise to Power: Born in 1725 in Ahmednagar, …
Read More »Indian Literary in UNESCO – Treasures in Memory of the World
Introduction Three Indian literary works, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahdayaloka-Locana, were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register during the tenth meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held earlier this week in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.The inclusion of Indian literary in UNESCO …
Read More »Basic Structure Doctrine of Indian Judiciary
Basic Structure The Basic Structure Doctrine is a cornerstone principle established by the Indian Judiciary to ensure the inviolability of the fundamental character of the Indian Constitution. This doctrine acts as a shield against attempts to radically alter the Constitution’s core tenets through amendments. Evolution of the Basic Structure Doctrine. …
Read More »National Agroforestry Policy 2014
Introduction: The National Agroforestry Policy 2014 was introduced by the Government of India to promote sustainable agroforestry practices across the country. Key Objectives: Encourage widespread adoption of agroforestry to enhance income generation and livelihood security for farmers. Facilitate ecological sustainability by promoting the integration of trees with agriculture. Strengthen the …
Read More »Rakhigarhi: Unveiling the Largest Harappan Settlement in Haryana
Concept : Rakhigarhi, situated within the Hisar district of Haryana, amidst the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain, stands as a significant archaeological site. Holding the distinction of being the largest Harappan settlement in the Indian subcontinent, its origins trace back to the period between 2600-1900 BCE. However, the site confronts imminent threats …
Read More »Promoting Global Security and Peace: The Multifaceted Mandate and Initiatives of UNODA
TABLE OF CONTENTS UNODA Objectives and Functions Key Initiatives and Programs I.UNODA: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs • Established in 1982, UNODA serves as the principal United Nations office dealing with disarmament matters. • Mandate includes promoting nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, among other disarmament efforts. • Headquartered …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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). …
Read More »Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »NFAI receives rare snapshots of Simla Conference of 1945
Pictures were taken by an officer of the Royal Indian Navy The National Film Archive of India (NFAI) has acquired an 8 mm film of vital historical import, pertaining to the 1945 Simla Conference of British administrators, Indian leaders and diplomats. The film was sent to the NFAI by the …
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