Kaman also known as Adi Vrindavan is a town of great antiquity that has been mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatha Mahapurana as the holy land where Bhagawan Krishna spent his childhood days. This sacrosanct town is home to Kameshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the four important Shivalayas on the Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra. The most... Continue Reading →
A stunning example of 10th - 11th century temple architecture of the Kalachuris of Tripuri also known as Kalachuris of Chedi is the Shiva Temple located in the remote Ganiyari village in Bilaspur district. This east – facing temple located in front of a lake has the most charming sculptures of its time adorning the... Continue Reading →
A lesser - known edifice of the late Gupta period is the 6th century Shiva Temple located in the obscure village of Sakour. Archaeological excavations conducted in this village have uncovered coins of Maharajadhiraja Shri Samudragupta, Maharajadhiraja Shri Chandragupta and Maharajadhiraja Shri Skandagupta indicating that this village must have been an important seat of learning,... Continue Reading →
The princely state of Rajputana has since the ancient times been an important seat of Vedic philosophy, learning and spirituality. Archaeological excavations conducted across Rajasthan have revealed the existence of thriving Vedic practices, Vedis (sacrificial altars) and yūpas (sacrificial pillars). It is evident that successive dynasties that ruled this rich province were totally dedicated to Advaitha... Continue Reading →
While Peshwa Bajirao was busy settling matters at home, Nasir Jung, the sharpest of Nizam-ul-Mulk's six sons who had raised an army to help his father in the Battle of Bhopal began to prepare for military operations against the Marathas. After Nadir Shah departed from Akhanda Bharat in 1739, Nizam-ul-Mulk began his political intrigues with Sumant Anandrao... Continue Reading →
The lesser - known Atru, known as Atalpuri in the ancient times is a treasure trove of temples of unmatched beauty, structural ingenuity and artistic and architectural excellence. Though the temples were looted and razed to the ground by the Muslim barbarians, one has to only see the broken carved panels, sculptures, plinths and niches... Continue Reading →
The hard - fought battle to annex Bassein and bring to an end a cruel Portuguese regime of two hundred years that saw unmentionable atrocities, heinous form of torture, unethical forced conversions to Christianity and deplorable religious persecution is one of the most glorious chapters of Maratha history. This resounding success for the Marathas and Peshwa... Continue Reading →
Bilasgarh, a treasure trove of ancient ruins and artefacts was once dotted with temples (dating back to the Vedic Period), forts, dharmashalas, Gurukulas and bhojanashalas. Archaeological excavations around this area uncovered caves with prehistoric drawings and petroglyphs. According to historical documents, this city located on the banks of a tributary of the Parbati River was once... Continue Reading →
Badoh and the neighbouring village of Pathari formed a part of the ancient town of Badnagar (Vatanagara), a prosperous trading hub in the days of the Gurjara - Pratiharas. As per inscriptions found, this region was dotted with temples belonging to the olden days though countless of them have either disappeared entirely or are buried... Continue Reading →
The Marathas began their campaign on a high note capturing Mahim on 9 January 1739 and Tarapur and Asheri on 24 January 1739. They captured the important island of Dharavi at the mouth of the Bassein creek on 6 March 1739 effectively sealing the fate of the main fortress. This victory gave the Marathas... Continue Reading →
Coined the 'Khajuraho of Sariska' and 'Khajuraho of Aravalli', the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple situated atop a hillock in the midst of stunning natural beauty is a prized architectural gem of the ancient times. This temple located deep inside the protected Sariska Tiger Reserve is believed to have been established by the Pancha Pandavas. According... Continue Reading →
One of the finest examples of Bhumija style of architecture is the ancient Udayeshwara Mahadeva Temple in Udaipur. This city as per Sanskrit inscriptions was founded by the Paramara king Maharaja Udayaditya of Malwa, brother of Maharajadhiraja Bhoja who also designed a kund known as Udayasamudra. According to the many Sanskrit inscriptions found in... Continue Reading →
The fortified enclosure of Bassein, the pride of the Portuguese on the west coast held its own and resisted all attacks by the Marathas from land. This triangular piece of land measuring a mile and a half in circumference had good defensive walls of 5 feet thickness and were almost 30 to 40 feet high.... Continue Reading →
The Baroli group of Temples, one of the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan has received much admiration from historians, artisans, architects and archaeologists for its sublime beauty and elegance. Since its discovery during the British Raj, this temple complex has been researched in detail, photographed and written about in many publications. The oldest, largest... Continue Reading →
The total annihilation of the Portuguese, a dominant naval power with advanced artillery is one of the most glorious chapters of Maratha history. The Portuguese controlled several strategic posts on the west coast extending from Goa to Daman. These fortified enclosures served as impregnable defences to any attacks from land or sea. The Peshwa desired... Continue Reading →
Sringar Chauri, an elegant ranga mandapa is the last structure built in the Badoli group of Temples. Deemed to be the finest of its time, this late 10th century edifice is largely accepted to be an extension to the famous Ghateshwara Temple. This pillared hall on plan has a square space in the middle with... Continue Reading →
The sacred city of Ujjain known in the ancient days as Avanti (or Avantika) and Ujjayini is revered for its spiritual and religious potency. Ujjain is one of seven sacrosanct cities (Sapta Puri) mentioned in the Puranas that helps one realize his or her true purpose of existence. This holy city is located on... Continue Reading →
The ruler at Delhi in his hour of distress and humiliation turned to Sawai Jai Singh and summoned him to his aid. However, Sawai Jai Singh on hearing the reports of savagery and atrocities committed by the Muslim invader Nadir Shah and his men chose to stay in Jaipur. Dhondo Govind wrote to Peshwa Bajirao... Continue Reading →
The Trimurti Temple (also known as the Sadashiva Temple or Maheshwara Temple or Trimurti Shiva Temple) in the Baroli group of Temples is perhaps one of the most underrated temples of its time. Listed as Temple No. 4 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this 10th century temple is a fine example of the... Continue Reading →
The Seshashayan Temple listed as Temple No. 2 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a 10th century edifice of the Gurjara – Pratiharas. This temple stands near the Shiv Temple built in the middle of the ancient kund. The original temple in plan had an ardha mandapa,... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Karnal resulted in a complete decimation of the warring factions of the Mughal army. The Mir Bakshi Khan Dowran VII (Khan-i-Dauran) received mortal wounds and died two days later. Saadat Khan was wounded and captured. Nizam-ul-Mulk did not participate in the actual operations and waited for events to unfold. The Muslim barbarian... Continue Reading →
Listed as Temple No. 3 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the 10th century Shiv Temple seated in the middle of an ancient kund is an outstanding example of artistic excellence, architectural mastery and unique sculptural art. This temple built by the Gurjara – Pratiharas in the typical Nagara... Continue Reading →
After Nizam-ul-Mulk faced another ignominious defeat at the hands of the astute Peshwa Bajirao, he made a hasty return to Delhi. He did not reveal the events that transpired at Bhopal and refused to proceed with the ratification of the terms of the agreement drafted on 7 January 1738 near Sironj. In December 1738, the... Continue Reading →
The Ganesha Temple listed as Temple No. 8 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a stunning 10th century edifice. This temple built by the Gurjara – Pratiharas in the typical Nagara style of architecture is a fine example of understated elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. This south... Continue Reading →
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