2025
-
A Starry Network of Arabian Trade
The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word ‘mausam’, meaning season. Incidentally, the word ‘ara’ in Sanskrit means desert.
-
A Bow Made of Bones
Those who depict Rama holding a bow, and insist he ate a plant-based diet in the forest, often reject the idea of the composite bow.
-
How Buddhism Saved Brahminism
The current narrative is ‘Hindus are in danger’ and everyone is pointing towards Bangladesh. But the Hindu of the narrative is expected to be vegetarian, and respect cows and caste. This is a Brahmanical definition of Hinduism. Not even a…
-
The Rational Attack On Science
Originally, in the 18th century, rationalists and scientists were in the same camp. They challenged tradition, religion, feudalism, using science and logic. In the 21st century, the rational folk came to realise that science, like religion, was becoming the handmaiden…
-
How Currency Notes, Piece of Fabric and Thali Symbolise India’s Diversity
India is neither superior nor inferior to other nations—it is simply different, shaped by history, geography, and the interplay of numerous cultures. The lesson for the world is that India’s diversity is not a challenge but its strength, and understanding…
-
When Islam Was Called the ‘Religion Of Peace’
The phrase ‘religion of peace’ used rather ironically to describe Islam today was the title of a book written in 1930 by Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi, a graduate of St Stephen’s college, Delhi; Aligarh Muslim University; and Cambridge, who advocated the…
-
Three Worlds, Four Eras
In ancient Vedic culture, the number three held great significance. However, in the later Vedic period, we observe the number three being replaced by the number four.
-
Satan, Santa, Sanat, Sant
Anagrams are fun. They are also thought provoking. Reorganise the letters and the word takes a totally different meaning. Here are three such words: Satan, Santa, and Sanat.
-
Why Hindu Gods Dance, and Those In Other Religions Don’t
Dance is an integral part of culture. It cannot be captured in a museum — except as photographs or videos. But as a performance, it is something that changes with time and space. Therefore, like music, it is an intangible…
-
In the Lion’s Royal Shadow
Lions have long been symbols of royalty across the world. In India, kings sat on lion thrones (simha-asana), and Durga, the patron goddess of royal households, is shown riding into battle on a lion. Uniquely, in our country, lions are…
-
How Is Indian Music Different From Western Music?
Music was not linked with the ascetic. It was popular with bhakti saints. Music was a sin in orthodox Christian and Muslim circles, except songs and hymns in praise of God. Music thus reveals a lot about culture.
-
An Imagined Battle: The Violence of Ashoka and Yudhishthira
The oldest manuscripts of the Mahabharata are dated to a century after Ashokaʼs rule but the story refers to an earlier period, before Kali Yuga, which may be seen as code for a time before the rise of the Buddhist…
-
लंकेश: रावण संग एक रोमांचक यात्रा
यह पुस्तक भारत के सबसे विख्यात महाकाव्य रामायण और इस कारण भारत के सबसे बड़े खलनायक, रावण, को विस्तार से जानने की राह खोलती है।