Avagunthana, Ghoonghat, Hijab: One Practice, Many Names
Ghoonghat, Hijab, Purdah, Burkha–one costume, many names. One practice, many traditions, many interpretations; contentious, especially in the context of gender equality, liberty & freedom.
Mughal women
The Many Stories Of Diwali Share A Common Theme Of Triumph Of Justice
A scholar of Asian religion & popular narratives demonstrates how ancient tales in epics become part of religious practice.
Gorkhas Are Here! The Tale Of Two Treaties To Keep One Army
The Gorkhas are regarded as the most dangerous fighting force in the world. Their legacy is as much of war as it is of honour & loyalty.
Habba Khatun: The Peasant Queen & Poetess Of Kashmir
Habba Khatun, the peasant queen, poet & singer is the ‘originator of love-lyrics in Kashmiri literature.’
Why Are North & South India So Different On Gender?
Women from South & North-east India are more likely to survive infancy, be educated, marry later & own more assets. Why?
Fear Of Lions
Kanekar’s story of the heroic yet tragic resistance by the socially marginalised makes for heartfelt reading.
How Guru Gobind Singh Created The Khalsa To Fight Aurangzeb’s Tyranny
Guru Gobind started the Khalsa to fight in defence of righteousness–not to pursue destructive goals or to seek revenge.
Operation Bluestar: Why The Horrors Of 1984 Must Not Be Forgotten
Every Sikh must learn about 1984, feel anguished & channel that anguish to confront ugly sectarianism.
The Fire & Sermon
As the world slept at the midnight hour, India’s soul was slashed through imaginary boundaries, writes Abhay K.
The Zafarnama: When Aurangzeb Broke The Oath Sworn Upon The Qur’an
The Zafarnama, a letter sent by Guru Gobind Singh, rebukes Aurangzeb for breaking the oath sworn upon the Qur’an.
When Babur Met Guru Nanak
Baburvani, a collection of hymns by Guru Nanak, comments on Babur’s crimes & proclaims devotion to God.
The Tale of The Tutinama
Tutinama, a Persian text originated from the Sanskrit work Śukasaptati. It reflects a syncretic literary tradition.
Nur, The Courtesan, & The Koh-i-Noor
Could Nur Bai, the courtesan etched in history as the one who tipped Nadir Shah about Koh-i-Noor, be mistakenly tainted?
Muslin: The Finest Ancient Fabric
Muslin, the finest, ancient fabric mentioned years ago in the time of Ptolemy, has yet to see its story weaved for good.
Pirates Of The Arabian Sea & The Letter Of Marque
In the 17th-Century, European pirates got the Letter of Marque – a license to kill. Will it be given to robots today?