Category: Heritage & History

Heritage & History steps into the past to illuminate the present. It explores monuments, traditions, personalities, and events that shape our shared legacy. From ancient sites and architectural marvels to cultural treasures and forgotten narratives, this space connects generations through stories that continue to inform, inspire, and endure.

Celebrating International Literacy Day: The Legacy of Ashurbanipal’s Library

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History12 Comments

On International Literacy Day, we celebrate the Royal Library of Ashurbanipal, the world's oldest known library, founded in the 7th century BCE. This treasure trove of knowledge housed 30,000 cuneiform tablets, including the "Epic of Gilgamesh." Ashurbanipal, a martial commander with a passion for literature, amassed texts through conquests. Unearthed in the 19th century, its surviving tablets offer valuable insights into ancient Mesopotamia. Despite its destruction, the library's unintentional preservation through fire ensures the wisdom of the past endures.

In the Shadows of Freedom: The Anushilan Samiti & India’s Forgotten Revolution

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History9 Comments

The Anushilan Samiti, operating during British colonial rule in India, was a clandestine revolutionary organization that advocated armed resistance. It emerged as a reaction to the moderate methods of the Indian National Congress, emphasizing physical fitness, martial training, and social responsibility. Members engaged in propaganda and armed attacks on British officials. Despite facing repression, the Samiti continued to operate clandestinely and played a significant role in the independence movement, inspiring generations of revolutionaries.

Taq Kasra: Where the Bricks Still Remember an Empire

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History6 Comments

Standing beneath the soaring arch of Taq Kasra, I felt history come alive. Once the heart of the mighty Sasanian Empire, this extraordinary brick vault still echoes with stories of emperors, scholars, and forgotten grandeur. Weathered but unbroken, it stands as a timeless reminder that while empires may fade, human ingenuity and cultural legacy endure across the centuries.

May Day: Netaji’s Impact on Tata Steel Workers

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History8 Comments

On May Day, we honour the labour movement and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's contributions to workers' rights, including his role in the Tata Steel trade union. His advocacy and leadership secured fundamental rights for workers, reshaping India's industrial landscape. His legacy demonstrates the intersection of freedom struggle and labour movements, inspiring solidarity and social justice.

Buddhist altar with golden statues, flowers, ritual bells, and incense

Peter Pandian: The Collector Who Walked Barefoot into the Heart of Madurai

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History8 Comments

The vibrant streets of Madurai hold a tale of Rous Peter, the devoted Collector of the temple town in 1812. Despite being Christian, he respected the Hindu traditions of the land. A divine encounter with Goddess Meenakshi saved him from disaster, leading him to commission golden stirrups as a gift. Even in death, Peter's devotion endured, as he was laid to rest facing the Meenakshi Temple. Now, during the Chaitra Festival, the goddess is adorned with the sacred Paadhukams, symbolizing the enduring bond between man and the divine.

Rashbehari Ghosh: The Forgotten Flame of Bengal’s Renaissance

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History12 Comments

Rashbehari Ghosh, a prominent Bengali advocate and philanthropist, defied English authority and excelled in the field of law. He opposed the partition of Bengal, supported the Swadeshi movement, and championed technical education, leaving a lasting impact on Indian society. He established educational institutions and supported scientific endeavors. His legacy as a nationalist and freedom fighter endures through institutions like Jadavpur University.

Kushim: The Accountant Who Started History

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History22 Comments

The first person in recorded history, known through ancient writings, is Kushim, an accountant from Mesopotamia. His name, etched on a clay tablet dating back to 3200 BCE, reflects a significant yet humble role in documenting economic transactions and the emergence of writing. This discovery highlights the vital contribution of ordinary individuals to civilization, reminding us that history is shaped by both extraordinary figures and everyday people like Kushim.

Lahiri Diwas: A Rebirth in the Shadows of Gonda Jail

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage & History4 Comments

Lahiri Diwas is an annual commemoration in Gonda jail, Uttar Pradesh, honouring the fearless revolutionary Rajendranath Lahiri, known for his major role in India's independence movement and execution on December 17, 1927. Lahiri, born in 1901 in Bengal, demonstrated exceptional courage, breaking societal norms and conducting revolutionary activities, including the notorious Kakori train robbery. Despite his death sentence, he expressed undying resilience and belief in a liberated India. Today, this event celebrates his sacrifice, featuring cultural festivities and reinforcement of his enduring belief.