Attukal Pongala | The Feast of Millions | Bharatbala | Virtual Bharat | Short Film | Documentary
Women from most households of Kerala step out of their homes. Fuelled by the faith in a goddess and carrying earthenware pots in their hands, they walk towards the streets of Attukal Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The entire city comes to a grinding halt. For they make way for these millions of women, some of them visiting from other states, to come together for a celebration. It is the world’s largest women congregation that made it to the Guinness World Records.
This year as the pandemic restricts public gathering for the first time in history, Virtual Bharat brings to you the experience of the festival. A story of celebration, devotion, and feast prepared by millions of women.
Smoke billows from temporary hearths followed by tearful women swaying to the chanting of mantras. They howl shrilly as is the custom, invoke blessings of the goddess, and pray for the prosperity of their families. Millions of hearths are lit up from the main hearth of the temple and a collective spirituality is witnessed in this mega festival.
The earthenware pots are overflowing as Pongal, a combination of rice and jaggery is cooked and offered to the goddess, Attukal Bhagavathy.
Come enjoy the feast, this Attukal Pongala.
Virtual Bharat. A 1000 film journey, one story at a time.
Visit our world directly: www.virtualbharat.in
Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2030524889602703724
@Jijith_NR
While the Iran issue is boiling, a 4,000-year-old village has just been uncovered in Cuttack, Odisha! This is inside the Kalinga Janapada!
It falls squarely within the Aitihāsic Age (1950–1750 BCE) in the Indian historical framework.
The same era includes:
• Rāma Era – 1950–1850 BCE
• Pāṇḍava Era – 1850–1750 BCE
• Kurukṣetra War – 1793 BCE
During this period, due to the decline of Sarasvati in 2000 BCE, the Iksvakus migrated from Sarasvati to Sarayu, and the Kuru-Panchalas migrated from Sarasvati to Ganga.
Both Ramayana and Mahabharata reflect this shift of major political powers onto the Ganga and Sarayu, while the oldest text Rgveda shows the major political powers along Sarasvati aligning with Sarasvati Sindhu Civilization whose nerve center was Sarasvati River.
In other words, while the great Itihāsa traditions speak of events unfolding in North India, organised agricultural settlements were flourishing in eastern India as well.
The excavation shows structured habitation pits and pottery vessels, indicating a stable farming village with storage and domestic activity.
This discovery reminds us that during the Aitihāsic period, civilisation in India was not limited to one region. From the Sarasvatī–Gaṅgā plains to the eastern coast of Kaliṅga, organised communities were thriving across the subcontinent.
Around 4,000 years ago, during the age remembered in the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata traditions, people in Kaliṅga were already living in organised agricultural settlements.
History is slowly catching up with the Itihāsas.
@Jijith_NR
While the Iran issue is boiling, a 4,000-year-old village has just been uncovered in Cuttack, Odisha! This is inside the Kalinga Janapada!
It falls squarely within the Aitihāsic Age (1950–1750 BCE) in the Indian historical framework.
The same era includes:
• Rāma Era – 1950–1850 BCE
• Pāṇḍava Era – 1850–1750 BCE
• Kurukṣetra War – 1793 BCE
During this period, due to the decline of Sarasvati in 2000 BCE, the Iksvakus migrated from Sarasvati to Sarayu, and the Kuru-Panchalas migrated from Sarasvati to Ganga.
Both Ramayana and Mahabharata reflect this shift of major political powers onto the Ganga and Sarayu, while the oldest text Rgveda shows the major political powers along Sarasvati aligning with Sarasvati Sindhu Civilization whose nerve center was Sarasvati River.
In other words, while the great Itihāsa traditions speak of events unfolding in North India, organised agricultural settlements were flourishing in eastern India as well.
The excavation shows structured habitation pits and pottery vessels, indicating a stable farming village with storage and domestic activity.
This discovery reminds us that during the Aitihāsic period, civilisation in India was not limited to one region. From the Sarasvatī–Gaṅgā plains to the eastern coast of Kaliṅga, organised communities were thriving across the subcontinent.
Around 4,000 years ago, during the age remembered in the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata traditions, people in Kaliṅga were already living in organised agricultural settlements.
History is slowly catching up with the Itihāsas.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2033919490682188035
@SagasofBharat
Wrong!
India’s GDP:
Before Mughals -33%
After Mughal loot- 24-16%
Mughal court physician, Bernier exposes your lies. He records a steady drain of India’s gold and silver under Mughal rule.
THREAD on how much each Mughal sent India’s wealth to other Islamic nations.
@SagasofBharat
Wrong!
India’s GDP:
Before Mughals -33%
After Mughal loot- 24-16%
Mughal court physician, Bernier exposes your lies. He records a steady drain of India’s gold and silver under Mughal rule.
THREAD on how much each Mughal sent India’s wealth to other Islamic nations.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/halleyji/status/2035221104554348949
@halleyji
Good.
Stories from old Bharat which may upset certain citizens of new India today.
---
Pune-based history researcher, Raj Memane, 42, has brought to light yet another unpublished historical document. This time around, it is a rare Modi script document dated May 27, 1696 preserved at the Pune Archives according to which, Shahaji Raje Bhosale, father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had made an annual provision of 19 hons for daily worship and rituals at the Pandeshwar Mahadev temple, a historic Shiva temple in Purandar taluka known for its long-standing religious traditions and Maratha-era patronage. A gold-based currency used back then, one hon was roughly equal to about 2.8 to 3 grammes of gold.
As per this rare document, the grant included funds for daily abhishek, worship, and oil for a continuously-lit sacred lamp (Nanda Deep). The document also notes that this provision was reinstated after around 30 to 40 years during the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; it was disrupted during the Mughal invasions.
Full article:https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/p ... 39213.html
@halleyji
Good.
Stories from old Bharat which may upset certain citizens of new India today.
---
Pune-based history researcher, Raj Memane, 42, has brought to light yet another unpublished historical document. This time around, it is a rare Modi script document dated May 27, 1696 preserved at the Pune Archives according to which, Shahaji Raje Bhosale, father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had made an annual provision of 19 hons for daily worship and rituals at the Pandeshwar Mahadev temple, a historic Shiva temple in Purandar taluka known for its long-standing religious traditions and Maratha-era patronage. A gold-based currency used back then, one hon was roughly equal to about 2.8 to 3 grammes of gold.
As per this rare document, the grant included funds for daily abhishek, worship, and oil for a continuously-lit sacred lamp (Nanda Deep). The document also notes that this provision was reinstated after around 30 to 40 years during the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; it was disrupted during the Mughal invasions.
Full article:https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/p ... 39213.html
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/TVMohandasPai/status/2034640865902440855
@TVMohandasPai
The Brutal Goa Inquisition led by the Catholic Church. Never forget
Video in link
@TVMohandasPai
The Brutal Goa Inquisition led by the Catholic Church. Never forget
Video in link
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
We are now officially and archeologically an 8000 year old civilization. Hope everyone including our leaders start using 8000 year old civilization instead of 5000 year old civilization. With each Scientific evacuation and discovery, it need to be told to the world who we are.
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2034985865664237636
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Gold necklaces. Armlets. Bangles. Silver ornaments.
Copper furnaces. Steatite bead workshops. Fired kilns.
Kunal, Haryana. Dried bed of the Saraswati.
Carbon-14 dated: 5700–6000 BCE.
**7,700 years old.**
Look at what emerged.
Three occupation phases. Pit dwellings evolved into planned rectangular mud-brick houses with organized layouts.
Then workshops appeared. Copper smelting. Bead manufacturing. Systematic craft production.
Then the gold.
A complete hoard. Necklace beads. An armlet. Bangle fragments. Semi-precious stones.
Archaeologists call this **"the earliest remains of pre-Harappan culture in India."**
The gold regalia? **"First of its kind."**
Now notice what this proves.
• Planned architecture: 5700 BCE
• Copper metallurgy: 5700 BCE
• Craft specialization: 5700 BCE
• Ornamental culture: 5700 BCE
Mohenjo-daro reaches its peak around 2500 BCE.
That's a **3,000-year gap**.
Three millennia of developed settlement culture **before** what textbooks call "the Indus Valley Civilization."
On the bed of a river colonial scholarship dismissed as mythological.
The Saraswati.
So here's what shifts.
This isn't pre-civilization.
This is early-phase civilization.
The timeline we inherited cuts off 3,000 years of continuity.
Kunal doesn't rewrite history.
It **extends** it.
The question isn't what we're not being taught.
The question is: how long does it take for excavated evidence to become accepted history?
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2034985865664237636
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Gold necklaces. Armlets. Bangles. Silver ornaments.
Copper furnaces. Steatite bead workshops. Fired kilns.
Kunal, Haryana. Dried bed of the Saraswati.
Carbon-14 dated: 5700–6000 BCE.
**7,700 years old.**
Look at what emerged.
Three occupation phases. Pit dwellings evolved into planned rectangular mud-brick houses with organized layouts.
Then workshops appeared. Copper smelting. Bead manufacturing. Systematic craft production.
Then the gold.
A complete hoard. Necklace beads. An armlet. Bangle fragments. Semi-precious stones.
Archaeologists call this **"the earliest remains of pre-Harappan culture in India."**
The gold regalia? **"First of its kind."**
Now notice what this proves.
• Planned architecture: 5700 BCE
• Copper metallurgy: 5700 BCE
• Craft specialization: 5700 BCE
• Ornamental culture: 5700 BCE
Mohenjo-daro reaches its peak around 2500 BCE.
That's a **3,000-year gap**.
Three millennia of developed settlement culture **before** what textbooks call "the Indus Valley Civilization."
On the bed of a river colonial scholarship dismissed as mythological.
The Saraswati.
So here's what shifts.
This isn't pre-civilization.
This is early-phase civilization.
The timeline we inherited cuts off 3,000 years of continuity.
Kunal doesn't rewrite history.
It **extends** it.
The question isn't what we're not being taught.
The question is: how long does it take for excavated evidence to become accepted history?
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/irudragaur/status/2034911901646279063
@irudragaur
Goa Inquisition documentary part 1 by @mmpandit shows how brutal the inquisition actually was:
The Goa Inquisition (Part 1)
@irudragaur
Goa Inquisition documentary part 1 by @mmpandit shows how brutal the inquisition actually was:
The Goa Inquisition (Part 1)
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2035348222672306346
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Rakhigarhi, 2600 BCE.
Square rooms. 1:1 ratio.
Kitchen in the southeast corner.
Entrance facing east.
Haras (हारा) at the threshold.
Pyaau (प्याऊ) outside for strangers.
Now walk through any village in northern India.
Same layout.
Same logic.
Same hospitality.
4,600 years later, the grammar hasn't changed.
We were told continuity was myth.
Archaeology keeps proving it's structure.
Source: Puratattva 33
Look at your own home.
Your grandmother's village.
Whose design vocabulary are you still speaking?
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Rakhigarhi, 2600 BCE.
Square rooms. 1:1 ratio.
Kitchen in the southeast corner.
Entrance facing east.
Haras (हारा) at the threshold.
Pyaau (प्याऊ) outside for strangers.
Now walk through any village in northern India.
Same layout.
Same logic.
Same hospitality.
4,600 years later, the grammar hasn't changed.
We were told continuity was myth.
Archaeology keeps proving it's structure.
Source: Puratattva 33
Look at your own home.
Your grandmother's village.
Whose design vocabulary are you still speaking?
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Ten Heads of Ravana' exposes the work of Marxist scholar Irfan Habib
Irfan Habib, the Marxist scholar from Aligarh Muslim University, is the subject of Manogna Sastry’s essay in the book 'Ten Heads of Ravana.' Habib has the distinction of being amongst the most vocal and unrelenting voices opposing the archaeological results of the excavations at Ayodhya against the backdrop of the dispute for the land demolished at the erstwhile Babri Masjid.
Sastry analyzes his notorious role as a witness and ‘expert’ in the Ram Janmabhoomi issue at Ayodhya, as well as his and his coterie’s hold over the country’s premier historical research institutes and universities. Sastry’s lucid essay highlights several such points and key observations on a range of issues, drawing from original readings of Habib’s works and others.
She traces the significant contributions of Irfan Habib to the disfiguring of Indian history and his role in creating a hegemony in academic institutions that perpetuate divisive and false historical accounts.
watch video
https://x.com/i/status/1725163636082041184
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
I second the above recommendation. In fact, all the others in that conference are quite good. Shashi Tharoor was also deconstructed quite well by another speaker.
Added later:
The following page has links to videos.
https://rajivmalhotra.com/ten-heads-of-ravana/
Added later:
The following page has links to videos.
https://rajivmalhotra.com/ten-heads-of-ravana/
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
no need for any elaboration because this गड़ारी has been ongoing since those early days and is evident in the current stewardship
which means that from the times of the earliest management, they were always in the know, they guided their minions and collaborated with their colonial masters and served their interests, all in the hope that they would be allowed to ascend to the throne of Hindustan
which means that from the times of the earliest management, they were always in the know, they guided their minions and collaborated with their colonial masters and served their interests, all in the hope that they would be allowed to ascend to the throne of Hindustan
When history is selectively remembered, truth becomes uncomfortable.
In 1910, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years of Kala Pani -one of the harshest punishments ever given to any freedom fighter.
And who pronounced this judgment? Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar -A former President of the Indian National Congress. A man later knighted by the British. Let that sink in.
A revolutionary who dared to challenge the British Empire… was punished by a system where Indian elites aligned with the colonial power and also sat in judgment. This is not just history.
This is a reminder. Freedom wasn’t just a fight against foreigners… It was also a fight against those who chose Comfort,Power and Privileges over courage.
Savarkar endured Cellular Jail, chains, torture, isolation but never surrendered his vision for Bharat. Some became legends. Some became footnotes. And some… became tools. History deserves to be told completely not conveniently.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2036844936755335621
@MeghUpdates
BIG DISCOVERY
GPR survey in Odisha’s Puri finds EVIDENCE of an ANCIENT CITY beneath the modern town, with remains across multiple sites and 43 potential heritage spots.
Artefacts, a 30-foot wall and a 7.6x3 m chamber FOUND, along with a possible passage to the sea
@MeghUpdates
BIG DISCOVERY
GPR survey in Odisha’s Puri finds EVIDENCE of an ANCIENT CITY beneath the modern town, with remains across multiple sites and 43 potential heritage spots.
Artefacts, a 30-foot wall and a 7.6x3 m chamber FOUND, along with a possible passage to the sea
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/thekaipullai/status/2036847180133392643
@thekaipullai
In the olden days, when ships used to dock in Mumbai, they used to tie their boats to the door at the harbour.
The Sanskrit word for tie is Bandh and for a door, is Dwar. So the place they tied a boat was called BandhDwar.
The word then travelled to Persia and became Bandar or Bunder. Which meant port or harbour
So any place in Mumbai which has the word Bunder in it, was a place where once upon a time boats used to dock.
So the place where boats used to dock and had a lot of sacks in it, became BoriBunder
The port where Palla or Hilsa fish was available became Palla Bunder, which then transformed to Apollo Bunder
The port where the Portuguese traded Horses with the Arabs, became Ghodbunder
And a port which had no particular significance was called Bunder. In Marathi, this became Vandre. Which over a period of time became what we
know today as Bandra
The word Bunder in Mumbai is not just a pointless word.
It actually represents Mumbai's maritime heritage and importance
@thekaipullai
In the olden days, when ships used to dock in Mumbai, they used to tie their boats to the door at the harbour.
The Sanskrit word for tie is Bandh and for a door, is Dwar. So the place they tied a boat was called BandhDwar.
The word then travelled to Persia and became Bandar or Bunder. Which meant port or harbour
So any place in Mumbai which has the word Bunder in it, was a place where once upon a time boats used to dock.
So the place where boats used to dock and had a lot of sacks in it, became BoriBunder
The port where Palla or Hilsa fish was available became Palla Bunder, which then transformed to Apollo Bunder
The port where the Portuguese traded Horses with the Arabs, became Ghodbunder
And a port which had no particular significance was called Bunder. In Marathi, this became Vandre. Which over a period of time became what we
know today as Bandra
The word Bunder in Mumbai is not just a pointless word.
It actually represents Mumbai's maritime heritage and importance
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
ASI is busy protecting Barbarians tombs. This is a great opportunity for the State of Maharashtra to turn it into a tourist attraction with proper protection of the whole area and people can watch these through wide glass doors and detailed explanation of the site through touch screen displays. Something beautiful can be done.
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2036856815275958614
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Ratnagiri. 30,000 years. Zero protection.
Ratnagiri petroglyphs were buried, preserved by time itself.
Then we “discovered” them… and left them naked under open sky.
Not an accident. A system.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 mandates preservation.
The Archaeological Survey of India is legally bound to protect.
So answer this:
After excavation —
Where is the conservation plan?
Where is the protective cover?
Where is the monitoring?
Excavation without preservation is not archaeology.
It is state-enabled erosion.
We are not losing history to time.
We are losing it to administrative indifference.
30,000 years survived nature.
It may not survive us.
@MaheshGNaik
Human figures, Elephant, Fishes, Birds carved in the #kudopi #petroglyphs in the district #Sindhudurg of #Maharashtra . There are more than 85 figures at this single location alone. The site now has been shortlisted for possible entry into UNESCO world heritage site.
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2036856815275958614
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
Ratnagiri. 30,000 years. Zero protection.
Ratnagiri petroglyphs were buried, preserved by time itself.
Then we “discovered” them… and left them naked under open sky.
Not an accident. A system.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 mandates preservation.
The Archaeological Survey of India is legally bound to protect.
So answer this:
After excavation —
Where is the conservation plan?
Where is the protective cover?
Where is the monitoring?
Excavation without preservation is not archaeology.
It is state-enabled erosion.
We are not losing history to time.
We are losing it to administrative indifference.
30,000 years survived nature.
It may not survive us.
@MaheshGNaik
Human figures, Elephant, Fishes, Birds carved in the #kudopi #petroglyphs in the district #Sindhudurg of #Maharashtra . There are more than 85 figures at this single location alone. The site now has been shortlisted for possible entry into UNESCO world heritage site.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2036783423306801368
@Ayudhika1310
Meet the Brahuis of Balochistan
They speak Dravidian tongues of the South, yet live 1500 kms away in the rugged North-West.
How did this happen? Historians debate. Migration, ancient trade routes, forgotten kingdoms.
But beyond theories, there’s something magical: a shared ethnicity across deserts and mountains, across centuries and silence.
It’s a reminder that identity isn’t bound by borders. It flows like rivers, carrying echoes of Tamil and Telugu into the heart of Balochistan.
@Ayudhika1310
Meet the Brahuis of Balochistan
They speak Dravidian tongues of the South, yet live 1500 kms away in the rugged North-West.
How did this happen? Historians debate. Migration, ancient trade routes, forgotten kingdoms.
But beyond theories, there’s something magical: a shared ethnicity across deserts and mountains, across centuries and silence.
It’s a reminder that identity isn’t bound by borders. It flows like rivers, carrying echoes of Tamil and Telugu into the heart of Balochistan.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
The Invention of Zero: How Ancient Mesopotamia Created the Mathematical Concept of Nought and Ancient India Gave It Symbolic Form
Saw this article today on my news feed. How valid is this article's thesis. Or is this another attempt to negate the origin of the concept of zero from India? This article is based on Robert Kaplan's book " The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero".
I would appreciate comments from the learned members on the forum.
Thank you
Saw this article today on my news feed. How valid is this article's thesis. Or is this another attempt to negate the origin of the concept of zero from India? This article is based on Robert Kaplan's book " The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero".
I would appreciate comments from the learned members on the forum.
Thank you
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
On zero and infinity: the vedas allude to them indirectly in the sense the Brahman is considered smaller than the smallest and larger than the largest.
कठोपनिषद् १.२.२० Kato Upanishad 1.2.20
अणोरणीयान्महतो महीयानात्मास्य जन्तोर्निहितो गुहायां ।
तमक्रतुः पश्यति वीतशोको धातुः प्रसादान्महिमानमात्मनः ॥ २० ॥
aṇoraṇīyānmahato mahīyānātmāsya jantornihito guhāyāṃ |
tamakratuḥ paśyati vītaśoko dhātuḥ prasādānmahimānamātmanaḥ || 20 ||
Subtler than the subtle, greater than the great, in the heart of each living being, the atman reposes. One free from desire, with his mind and the senses composed, sees the glory of the atman and becomes absolved from grief.
Zero technically is not "nothing" or naught. It is smaller than the smallest, i.e. any number divided by zero is deemed infinite and zero/zero is undefined and so is zero*infinity. Using the zero for positions in numbering is uniquely from India. West loves to shove Greeks into the picture but Greeks learnt most of the stuff from India.
Two books explain origin of Greek thought:
India in Greece by Edward Pococke
Shape of ancient thought by Thomas McEvilley
कठोपनिषद् १.२.२० Kato Upanishad 1.2.20
अणोरणीयान्महतो महीयानात्मास्य जन्तोर्निहितो गुहायां ।
तमक्रतुः पश्यति वीतशोको धातुः प्रसादान्महिमानमात्मनः ॥ २० ॥
aṇoraṇīyānmahato mahīyānātmāsya jantornihito guhāyāṃ |
tamakratuḥ paśyati vītaśoko dhātuḥ prasādānmahimānamātmanaḥ || 20 ||
Subtler than the subtle, greater than the great, in the heart of each living being, the atman reposes. One free from desire, with his mind and the senses composed, sees the glory of the atman and becomes absolved from grief.
Zero technically is not "nothing" or naught. It is smaller than the smallest, i.e. any number divided by zero is deemed infinite and zero/zero is undefined and so is zero*infinity. Using the zero for positions in numbering is uniquely from India. West loves to shove Greeks into the picture but Greeks learnt most of the stuff from India.
Two books explain origin of Greek thought:
India in Greece by Edward Pococke
Shape of ancient thought by Thomas McEvilley
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
FWIW: Skimmed through the article. (I am interested in the subject, Mathematics and it's History, - also have studied Indian maths scholars )Kanoji wrote: ↑26 Mar 2026 19:28 The Invention of Zero: How Ancient Mesopotamia Created the Mathematical Concept of Nought and Ancient India Gave It Symbolic Form
Saw this article today on my news feed. How valid is this article's thesis. Or is this another attempt to negate the origin of the concept of zero from India? This article is based on Robert Kaplan's book " The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero".
I would appreciate comments from the learned members on the forum.
Thank you
Compared to mathematically careful histories by known authors
This article is:
- Elegant narrative
- Cross-cultural framing
- Captures *some* conceptual importance (philoshopical) of zero
But is quite Weak, IMO
- Under-citation of key Indian sources
- Misplaced emphasis (Āryabhata vs Brahmagupta)
- Lack of technical detail (rules of arithmetic with zero -)
- Mythologized progression
Summary:
-Historically reasonable at a some high level
-Not precise enough for a specialist
- Better read as i storytelling than rigorous history of Indian Math.
If I had to grade it from a mathematician’s perspective:
C for insight, D for historical precision.
___
My Take: Few random points:
Core thesis: broadly right, but oversimplified:
(The central claim—conceptual zero emerging in Mesopotamia and symbolic/operational zero in India—may be directionally correct, and aligns with many common mainstream books. but sloppy (Very much IMO) over-compresses a long, non-linear evolution into a neat two-step story .
In reality: Mesopotamian “zero” was a placeholder, not a number, and even that evolved gradually..
Indian mathematics didn’t just “add a symbol”—it fully arithmetized zero (rules for operations), especially in texts like those of Brahmagupta—who is conspicuously missing from the article.
==> This omission is significant. If you had to name one figure central to zero as a number, it’s Brahmagupta,
Overemphasis on Āryabhata (and few misplacement)
The article leans heavily on Āryabhata, but this is historically imprecise:
(Āryabhata used place-value ideas, but did not use a symbol for zero.
His system (word-based positional encoding) is interesting, but not central to the emergence of zero as a number)
Brahmagupta explicitly defined *many* current theorems of zero (I mentioned it in my math daga - many times)
eg a+0 = a and
Rules for negative numbers and zero
Later mathematicians like Bhāskara refined these ideas further.
So the article’s narrative focus is not historical mathematical. weighted.
Mesopotamian contribution: slightly romanticized (The description of Mesopotamian origins is mostly accurate, but:
The “invention moment” is less clear-cut than implied)
Placeholder symbols appeared inconsistently in that late (~300–500 BCE) there.here was no concept of zero as a number, and crucially - No use at the end of numbers (so ambiguity remained).
) Greek mathematics: somewhat misleading framing
The discussion of Archimedes is elegant but misleading in context:
(Greek mathematics did not need zero because it was:
Geometric, Not positional Their “lack of zero” is not a failure, but a different mathematical paradigm.
India’s role: some part correct but underplayed in depth.
(Gets the big picture right—India made zero a number—but understates how deep this contribution was:)
Eg it misses important details: eg
- Integration with decimal place-value system
- Use in astronomy and algebra
-Conceptual link to “śūnya” (void), which may or may not have philosophical influence (debated, and the article glosses this carefully but vaguely)
- Philosophical layer: not rigorous
The discussion of: “Is zero invented or discovered?” Gödel/Vienna Circle references
…is philosophically evocative, but:..More in the realm of popular science writing than scholarship
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Thank you Bala ji for your comments and the reference to these books. I have also seen Shri S. Gurumoorthy refer to the book by Pocoke in one of his talks.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Thank you Amber G ji for your detailed comments and feedback.Amber G. wrote: ↑28 Mar 2026 10:41
FWIW: Skimmed through the article. (I am interested in the subject, Mathematics and it's History, - also have studied Indian maths scholars )
Compared to mathematically careful histories by known authors
This article is:
- Elegant narrative
- Cross-cultural framing
- Captures *some* conceptual importance (philoshopical) of zero
But is quite Weak, IMO
- Under-citation of key Indian sources
- Misplaced emphasis (Āryabhata vs Brahmagupta)
- Lack of technical detail (rules of arithmetic with zero -)
- Mythologized progression
Summary:
-Historically reasonable at a some high level
-Not precise enough for a specialist
- Better read as i storytelling than rigorous history of Indian Math.
If I had to grade it from a mathematician’s perspective:
C for insight, D for historical precision.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
J Sai Deepak thought provoking speech on the history of partition
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
S Gurumurthy at IIT Madras
S. Gurumurthy explains the profound link between NASA’s space sonification and Vedic philosophy at IIT Madras. The NASA Connection: NASA Sonification Proves Ancient Vedic Wisdom? Brahman is Music. The Scientific Bridge: How Big Bang "Music" Validates the Vedas. Topics include NASA Space Sonification, Brahman is Music, Big Bang Soundwaves, Vedas and Upanishads Science, Universal Consciousness, Roger Penrose Consciousness.
NASA sonification proves that sound initiated the initial big bang. Wonderbar. This is in the Vedas as शब्दब्रह्मन् shabda brahman and नादब्रह्म nada brahman. That indestructible transcendent vibrating sound is शब्दब्रह्मन् Shabda-Brahman - Shiksha Upanishad.
// S. Gurumurthy praises Newton for current scientific advances in the world mainly western. However he does not know that वैशेषिक सूत्र Vaisesika Sutra by Sage कणाद Kanaad enunciated long ago has the same laws. Newton also took calculus from India.
// Just to recap Vedas:
Brahman is सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म Satyam Gyanam Anantam according to Vedas and is सर्वव्यापि sarvavyapi all pervasive, नित्य nithya all times, सर्वगत sarvagath immanent. These concepts make the entity Brahman as integral to the world/universe, so there is no creation but the universe (and there is an infinite of them) is just a व्यक्त manifestation or projection. This cycle of व्यक्त manifest and अव्यक्त unmanifest is forever.
This Universe is due to Maya an inherent power of ब्रह्म and chaya or shadow created is where this universe exist. The initial तन्मात्र tanmatra undifferentiated rudimentary subtle elements were involved from which gross elements are created. The Universe manifestation is of infinite combinations and no man can understand it entirely, since just when you think you do, there is another variation unbeknown to you.
// current music notes are from vedas:
Rig Veda accents of udata, anudata and svarita
From udata the notes of nishada (निषाद) and gandara (गान्धार) were created; from anudata the notes of rishaba (ऋषभ) and dhaivata (धैवत) were created; from svarita the notes of shadja (षड्ज), madhyama (मध्यम) and panchama (पञ्चम) were created.
Singing of Sama Veda chants had assigned singer roles and these were प्रस्तोता prastotha (or prastothri), उद्गातृ udgata (chief), प्रतिहर्तृ pratihartha (or pratiharthri) and सुब्रह्मण्य subramanya.
Sa-----Sadja------------------------------------------The cry of the peacock
Ri-----Rishaba----------------------------------------The blowing of the bull
Ga----Gandhara--------------------------------------The bleating of the goat
Ma----Madhyama (literally - "middle note")-------The cry of the kraunja bird (crane/stork)
Pa-----Panchama (literally - "fifth note")----------The cry of the kokila bird (cuckoo)
Da----Dhaivata---------------------------------------The neighing of the horse
Ni-----Nishada----------------------------------------The trumpeting of the elephant
S. Gurumurthy explains the profound link between NASA’s space sonification and Vedic philosophy at IIT Madras. The NASA Connection: NASA Sonification Proves Ancient Vedic Wisdom? Brahman is Music. The Scientific Bridge: How Big Bang "Music" Validates the Vedas. Topics include NASA Space Sonification, Brahman is Music, Big Bang Soundwaves, Vedas and Upanishads Science, Universal Consciousness, Roger Penrose Consciousness.
NASA sonification proves that sound initiated the initial big bang. Wonderbar. This is in the Vedas as शब्दब्रह्मन् shabda brahman and नादब्रह्म nada brahman. That indestructible transcendent vibrating sound is शब्दब्रह्मन् Shabda-Brahman - Shiksha Upanishad.
// S. Gurumurthy praises Newton for current scientific advances in the world mainly western. However he does not know that वैशेषिक सूत्र Vaisesika Sutra by Sage कणाद Kanaad enunciated long ago has the same laws. Newton also took calculus from India.
// Just to recap Vedas:
Brahman is सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं ब्रह्म Satyam Gyanam Anantam according to Vedas and is सर्वव्यापि sarvavyapi all pervasive, नित्य nithya all times, सर्वगत sarvagath immanent. These concepts make the entity Brahman as integral to the world/universe, so there is no creation but the universe (and there is an infinite of them) is just a व्यक्त manifestation or projection. This cycle of व्यक्त manifest and अव्यक्त unmanifest is forever.
This Universe is due to Maya an inherent power of ब्रह्म and chaya or shadow created is where this universe exist. The initial तन्मात्र tanmatra undifferentiated rudimentary subtle elements were involved from which gross elements are created. The Universe manifestation is of infinite combinations and no man can understand it entirely, since just when you think you do, there is another variation unbeknown to you.
// current music notes are from vedas:
Rig Veda accents of udata, anudata and svarita
From udata the notes of nishada (निषाद) and gandara (गान्धार) were created; from anudata the notes of rishaba (ऋषभ) and dhaivata (धैवत) were created; from svarita the notes of shadja (षड्ज), madhyama (मध्यम) and panchama (पञ्चम) were created.
Singing of Sama Veda chants had assigned singer roles and these were प्रस्तोता prastotha (or prastothri), उद्गातृ udgata (chief), प्रतिहर्तृ pratihartha (or pratiharthri) and सुब्रह्मण्य subramanya.
Sa-----Sadja------------------------------------------The cry of the peacock
Ri-----Rishaba----------------------------------------The blowing of the bull
Ga----Gandhara--------------------------------------The bleating of the goat
Ma----Madhyama (literally - "middle note")-------The cry of the kraunja bird (crane/stork)
Pa-----Panchama (literally - "fifth note")----------The cry of the kokila bird (cuckoo)
Da----Dhaivata---------------------------------------The neighing of the horse
Ni-----Nishada----------------------------------------The trumpeting of the elephant
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
History need to rewritten in the correct chronological order in school text books and our understanding of history. Whatever is discovered and comes first in chronological order should be taught and everything need to be brought under Bharatiya civilization.
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2037945340540923981
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
We named an entire civilization after a site discovered in 1921.
But Kunal shows pottery dating to 7500 BCE. Bhiranna has pre-7000 BCE early phases.
Harappa itself? Later.
Colonial archaeology named things in discovery order, not chronological accuracy. So our textbooks call it "Harappan Civilization" when Kunal and Bhiranna were thriving millennia before Harappa existed.
It's like naming your entire family lineage after the middle child who happened to answer the door first.
We built our understanding of ancient India on labels chosen by convenience, not truth. The oldest sites became footnotes. The famous site became the face.
Who benefits when the chronology stays confused?
https://x.com/Behera__Pritam/status/2037957607231730059
@Behera__Pritam
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2037945340540923981
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
We named an entire civilization after a site discovered in 1921.
But Kunal shows pottery dating to 7500 BCE. Bhiranna has pre-7000 BCE early phases.
Harappa itself? Later.
Colonial archaeology named things in discovery order, not chronological accuracy. So our textbooks call it "Harappan Civilization" when Kunal and Bhiranna were thriving millennia before Harappa existed.
It's like naming your entire family lineage after the middle child who happened to answer the door first.
We built our understanding of ancient India on labels chosen by convenience, not truth. The oldest sites became footnotes. The famous site became the face.
Who benefits when the chronology stays confused?
https://x.com/Behera__Pritam/status/2037957607231730059
@Behera__Pritam
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
I recently saw astrologer PunyaPrakop reposting a successful prediction by Prashant Kini. I asked Grok to analyse his predictions in the last two years. Link below.
What makes me hopeful is the prediction that Mamata Banerjee will lose election, not sure if it is just her seat or TMC losing to BJP.
https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMi1jb3B5 ... 40d9cb54c7
What makes me hopeful is the prediction that Mamata Banerjee will lose election, not sure if it is just her seat or TMC losing to BJP.
https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMi1jb3B5 ... 40d9cb54c7
Prashanth Kini (@AstroPrashanth9), the self-described "Devil’s Astrologer | Time Traveller" on X, is a popular Indian astrologer focused on geopolitics, elections, markets, disasters, and celebrity events.
..
I analyzed his activity from roughly March 2024 onward (the last two years as of March 2026) using his X posts, self-claimed successes, and media coverage of viral predictions. He makes dozens of predictions monthly, often broad or conditional (e.g., "possible" accidents, wars intensifying, or economic caution).
..
Accuracy Level
Rough estimate: 60-75% on notable, verifiable predictions he highlights publicly.
Strengths:
He scores frequent "hits" on timed geopolitical, economic, and disaster events that gain media traction. Examples include energy crises, specific military actions, and crashes that match his windows. Media outlets (Deccan Herald, News18, Tribune India, etc.) have covered several as "spot-on" or "viral," boosting his profile. He cherry-picks and reposts successes prominently.
Weaknesses:
Many predictions are vague, open-ended, or interpretive (e.g., "difficult times," "trouble for ruling class," or generic disasters). Critics note misses or stretches (e.g., a Nov 2025 prediction about a senior leader/CM/Union Minister perishing Dec 2025–Feb 2026 was linked by some to an Ajit Pawar-related incident, but others called it inexact since Pawar hadn't held those exact roles). Some older predictions (pre-2024) get recycled. Like most astrologers, confirmation bias plays a role—successes go viral, failures are quieter. Overall, he outperforms many peers in public perception for high-profile calls in 2025–early 2026, but it's far from 100% or scientifically rigorous.
..
Most Interesting and Important Successful Predictions (Last Two Years)
..
1.
India fuel/natural gas shortage after March 2026 (predicted September 2025)
He warned of supply chain disruptions leading to fuel and natural gas shortages post-March 2026. This went massively viral in March 2026 amid reports of commercial LPG crises in Indian cities. He reposted it calling it accurate ~5 months later. Multiple news outlets (Deccan Herald, News18, Tribune India) highlighted it as a precise hit.
2.
Russia-Ukraine war intensification after March 2026, with Ukraine attacking Russian cities and petrochemical/oil installations (predicted September 2025)
He forecasted escalation, Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, targeting of oil tankers, and broader European spread. In March 2026, he reposted after Ukraine hit Russia's biggest petrochemical installation and an oil terminal—exact match on timing and details. He explicitly called it "My prediction came True."
3.
Major air crash in February/March 2026 (predicted January 2026)
Listed as one of several sample disasters: "One big Air crash will happen in February/ March 2026." Shortly after, a Colombian military aircraft crashed with over 100 deaths. He reposted the original prediction with "My prediction came True
4.
Stock market caution in March 2026 (especially 2nd/3rd week) (predicted August 2025)
He advised traders to be careful in March 2026. He later referenced it during market movements, positioning it as prescient (part of his broader 2025–2026 economic warnings).
5.
Bitcoin reaching its 2026 low in the 3rd week of April 2026, sliding from late 2025 highs (predicted October 2025)
At the time, Bitcoin was near ₹98 lakhs; he called for a bottom near 2025 lows in mid-April 2026 (not a full crash, but a slide). He reposted in March 2026 as validation while the downtrend was playing out.
6.
Qatar ruling class in deep trouble (June 2025–July 2026), including fire/mishap and gas loss (timeframe prediction from earlier, but events in 2025–2026 window)
He claimed massive fire, 17% natural gas loss for ~5 years, and other troubles. In March 2026 posts, he highlighted "QATAR on fire" and gas supply hit as "My prediction came True
Other notable mentions (slightly broader but impactful within the period): Ongoing claims about India facing "difficult times till February 2027" (Sep 2025 prediction, tied to global conspiracies/wars) and wars (Iran/America, Pakistan/Afghanistan) not ending easily due to eclipse timing (Feb 2026 prediction, still raging as of late March).
He also has political calls (e.g., the recent Mamata Banerjee "will go home" post from March 23, 2026, which is too fresh to score yet) and celebrity ones, but the above stand out for specificity, timing, and real-world resonance in geopolitics/economy/disasters. These have driven his visibility spikes.
Bottom line: In the last two years, Prashanth Kini has built a reputation for timely, headline-grabbing calls that align with unfolding crises—especially energy shocks, conflicts, and accidents. His hit rate on promoted predictions is impressive enough to sustain a growing following, even if not every forecast lands perfectly.
."
" and gas supply hit as "My prediction came True Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
संवाद # 311: One billion Hindus do this everyday but don't know why | Ami Ganatra
Ami Ganatra is a bestselling Indian author and management professional who has built a rare bridge between the corporate world and India's classical knowledge tradition. An alumna of IIM Ahmedabad. Her work on original Sanskrit sources, presenting their insights with a focus on contemporary relevance — a rare discipline in a space crowded with popular mythology. She first made her mark with the Unravelled series — Mahabharata Unravelled and Ramayana Unravelled — which have since been translated into several Indian languages.
// Ami provides enough background in Vedas which anchors the "Hindu" way of life. Her experience with international crowd of people in various areas provides a glimpse on why Indians are accepting of all viewpoints. She recounts reading Rajiv Malhotra's books.
Ami Ganatra is a bestselling Indian author and management professional who has built a rare bridge between the corporate world and India's classical knowledge tradition. An alumna of IIM Ahmedabad. Her work on original Sanskrit sources, presenting their insights with a focus on contemporary relevance — a rare discipline in a space crowded with popular mythology. She first made her mark with the Unravelled series — Mahabharata Unravelled and Ramayana Unravelled — which have since been translated into several Indian languages.
// Ami provides enough background in Vedas which anchors the "Hindu" way of life. Her experience with international crowd of people in various areas provides a glimpse on why Indians are accepting of all viewpoints. She recounts reading Rajiv Malhotra's books.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Akbar the Chineesee
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 6886985128
@MumukshuSavitri
Chalo ji -
@devinamehra the Parsi/Irani Mughlai spokesperson from Prithviraj Kapoor’s blue-eyed mohalla finally blocked me. First she had the audacity to try and pass off a 19th c. Painting of Akbar as a “contemporary portrait” of his times and then the arrogance to lecture
@authoramish
on the importance of academic research & historical rigor, when she herself put up a misleading image to distort the truth about Akbar’s Turko-Mongol features
It’s hilarious to expose these overconfident, historically illiterate Mughal lovers with real evidence and watch them crumble when they can’t cope with reality
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 9716988113
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 9716988113
@MumukshuSavitri
Lol this is hilarious.
Don’t you people have any shame being so arrogant when you are so ignorant?
The so called “authentic contemporary portrait” that you shared was painted in 1850 a full 250 years after Akbar’s death!
It looks nothing like his original face.
Instead of endlessly spewing clueless rants
about historical scholarship and arrogantly advising Amish Tripathi about his research - maybe try using an actual contemporary portrait of Akbar painted during his lifetime instead?
There are plenty of portraits of Akbar painted during his lifetime or immediately after his death where his central Asian features are self evident. They clearly depict him with features that suggest Central Asian / Turko-Mongol ancestry: high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a broad forehead, and a relatively flat face compared to typical South Asian phenotypes. These traits are consistent with the Timurid lineage, as Akbar was descended from the Timurids on his father's side (Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, traced his ancestry to Timur and Genghis Khan).
Here are some real authentic portraits painted by court artists from Akbarnama and other folios. Even the last official portrait of Akbar’s son Jahangir holding a painting of Akbar after his death, shows that he had the same Turko-Mongol facial features, reflecting his foreign ancestry.
Maybe go read a book and learn what real research is next time before arrogantly posturing & making up BS about history first.
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 6886985128
@MumukshuSavitri
Chalo ji -
@devinamehra the Parsi/Irani Mughlai spokesperson from Prithviraj Kapoor’s blue-eyed mohalla finally blocked me. First she had the audacity to try and pass off a 19th c. Painting of Akbar as a “contemporary portrait” of his times and then the arrogance to lecture
@authoramish
on the importance of academic research & historical rigor, when she herself put up a misleading image to distort the truth about Akbar’s Turko-Mongol features
It’s hilarious to expose these overconfident, historically illiterate Mughal lovers with real evidence and watch them crumble when they can’t cope with reality
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 9716988113
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 9716988113
@MumukshuSavitri
Lol this is hilarious.
Don’t you people have any shame being so arrogant when you are so ignorant?
The so called “authentic contemporary portrait” that you shared was painted in 1850 a full 250 years after Akbar’s death!
It looks nothing like his original face.
Instead of endlessly spewing clueless rants
about historical scholarship and arrogantly advising Amish Tripathi about his research - maybe try using an actual contemporary portrait of Akbar painted during his lifetime instead?
There are plenty of portraits of Akbar painted during his lifetime or immediately after his death where his central Asian features are self evident. They clearly depict him with features that suggest Central Asian / Turko-Mongol ancestry: high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a broad forehead, and a relatively flat face compared to typical South Asian phenotypes. These traits are consistent with the Timurid lineage, as Akbar was descended from the Timurids on his father's side (Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, traced his ancestry to Timur and Genghis Khan).
Here are some real authentic portraits painted by court artists from Akbarnama and other folios. Even the last official portrait of Akbar’s son Jahangir holding a painting of Akbar after his death, shows that he had the same Turko-Mongol facial features, reflecting his foreign ancestry.
Maybe go read a book and learn what real research is next time before arrogantly posturing & making up BS about history first.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/sringerimath/status/2038685590485704881
@sringerimath
Europe: A rare opportunity is being extended to seekers across the EU to receive authentic exposure to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta, in the sacred lead-up to Sri Shankara Jayanti Mahotsava. With the blessings of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus, esteemed scholars from Bharat will offer interactive sessions on key Vedantic insights. Through sincere engagement with these teachings, one is guided toward clarity, purpose, and inner steadiness, rooted in the eternal vision of Sanatana Dharma.
Further info & registration: http://tinyurl.com/VedantaEU
http://tinyurl.com/VedantaUK
Queries: [email protected]
*-*-*-*
Join our WhatsApp Channel: http://tinyurl.com/SharadaPeethamWA
#Shankaracharyas #sanatandharma #sringeri #Jagadguru #Sadhguru #Guru #Hinduism #spirituality #philosophy #Bhakthi #advaita #dharma #sanatan #life #vedic #bhagavadgita #hindutemple
@HindusinUK @hfbritain
@sringerimath
Europe: A rare opportunity is being extended to seekers across the EU to receive authentic exposure to the timeless wisdom of Vedanta, in the sacred lead-up to Sri Shankara Jayanti Mahotsava. With the blessings of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus, esteemed scholars from Bharat will offer interactive sessions on key Vedantic insights. Through sincere engagement with these teachings, one is guided toward clarity, purpose, and inner steadiness, rooted in the eternal vision of Sanatana Dharma.
Further info & registration: http://tinyurl.com/VedantaEU
http://tinyurl.com/VedantaUK
Queries: [email protected]
*-*-*-*
Join our WhatsApp Channel: http://tinyurl.com/SharadaPeethamWA
#Shankaracharyas #sanatandharma #sringeri #Jagadguru #Sadhguru #Guru #Hinduism #spirituality #philosophy #Bhakthi #advaita #dharma #sanatan #life #vedic #bhagavadgita #hindutemple
@HindusinUK @hfbritain
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/Vishnu_Jain1/status/1767117463190118820
@Vishnu_Jain1
My request for Asi survey of bhojshala/dhar in madhya pradesh is allowed by indore high court. Maa vag devi ki jai
@Vishnu_Jain1
My request for Asi survey of bhojshala/dhar in madhya pradesh is allowed by indore high court. Maa vag devi ki jai
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
Vande Mataram to Nalanda: Uncovering India’s Lost Heritage and Cultural Soul
What does “Vande Mataram” truly mean in today’s India?
In this conversation, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, reflects on the spirit behind Vande Mataram and its deeper connection to India’s civilisational values, unity, and cultural consciousness.
The discussion explores how symbols, songs, and shared expressions shape national identity, foster belonging, and evolve with time, while continuing to anchor a diverse society. From cultural pride to collective responsibility, this conversation looks at why Vande Mataram remains more than a slogan and continues to be a unifying idea for India.
Watch the full conversation for a thoughtful take on patriotism, culture, and the meaning of nationhood.
Like, share, and subscribe for more such conversations.
00:00 Intro
01:59 Vande Mataram: growing up with it and today’s social media narratives
03:29 Why Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote Vande Mataram
10:10 The controversy around Vande Mataram
15:00 Indian culture and humanism
21:50 The Battle of Dewair
22:56 Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence?
25:46 Sanatani philosophy
32:14 Nalanda University and lost manuscripts
36:13 Did India preserve its cultural heritage?
41:42 Origins of Yoga
42:00 The future of India
What does “Vande Mataram” truly mean in today’s India?
In this conversation, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, reflects on the spirit behind Vande Mataram and its deeper connection to India’s civilisational values, unity, and cultural consciousness.
The discussion explores how symbols, songs, and shared expressions shape national identity, foster belonging, and evolve with time, while continuing to anchor a diverse society. From cultural pride to collective responsibility, this conversation looks at why Vande Mataram remains more than a slogan and continues to be a unifying idea for India.
Watch the full conversation for a thoughtful take on patriotism, culture, and the meaning of nationhood.
Like, share, and subscribe for more such conversations.00:00 Intro
01:59 Vande Mataram: growing up with it and today’s social media narratives
03:29 Why Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote Vande Mataram
10:10 The controversy around Vande Mataram
15:00 Indian culture and humanism
21:50 The Battle of Dewair
22:56 Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence?
25:46 Sanatani philosophy
32:14 Nalanda University and lost manuscripts
36:13 Did India preserve its cultural heritage?
41:42 Origins of Yoga
42:00 The future of India
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2039498340652736604
@IndicMeenakshi
Undavalli caves in Vijayawada, A.P. have an almost 1,600 year old monolithic sculpture of Hanuman. The revered rock-cut image is located on the upper level of the main complex. The oldest surviving inscription on Hanuman is from Khajuraho, dated 922 CE.
@IndicMeenakshi
Undavalli caves in Vijayawada, A.P. have an almost 1,600 year old monolithic sculpture of Hanuman. The revered rock-cut image is located on the upper level of the main complex. The oldest surviving inscription on Hanuman is from Khajuraho, dated 922 CE.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2040615972462100969
@itiha29
In 1705, Portuguese authorities in India created a chilling law. They placed a tax on the Shikha, the sacred tuft of hair worn by Hindu men. To keep your ancestral vow, you had to pay the state
@itiha29
In 1705, Portuguese authorities in India created a chilling law. They placed a tax on the Shikha, the sacred tuft of hair worn by Hindu men. To keep your ancestral vow, you had to pay the state
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/UnamPillai/status/2040268742215753759
@UnamPillai
Kerala, Breasts, and the Tax that Wasn't. A long read on Kerala's historical clothing practices and the (silly) "breast tax" controversy:
https://waatcoconut.substack.com/p/kera ... that-wasnt
@UnamPillai
Kerala, Breasts, and the Tax that Wasn't. A long read on Kerala's historical clothing practices and the (silly) "breast tax" controversy:
https://waatcoconut.substack.com/p/kera ... that-wasnt
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/ProfVemsani/status/2040576130755801440
@ProfVemsani
Ghori and Ghazni were more focused on transporting captives as slaves to Central Asia. They complained prices are of slaves fell in Cental Asia due to the large number of slaves Ghori brought from India. Largest slave markets of the world were located in Central Asia during 10-17th century C.E.
@ProfVemsani
Ghori and Ghazni were more focused on transporting captives as slaves to Central Asia. They complained prices are of slaves fell in Cental Asia due to the large number of slaves Ghori brought from India. Largest slave markets of the world were located in Central Asia during 10-17th century C.E.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 8396348836
@MumukshuSavitri
Ok, I'll be patient and educate you.
We know that Chandragupta Maurya commissioned golden images of the Hindu divine family (Shiva, Parvati, Skanda, Vishakha) because Patanjali (2nd c. BCE) specifically refers to it while discussing the proper grammar to refer to such images as what the Mauryas sold in a discussion about proper suffixes from Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī (4th-c. BCE).
And the 2000 yr old Buddhist text Lalita Vistara clearly describes Gautama Buddha's father King Shuddhodhana taking him to worship at a Hindu temple in Kapilavastu which had Murtis of bhagwans Shiva, Skanda, Narayana, Kubera, Chandra, Surya, Indra, Brahma etc. etc. which existed before Buddha was even born. In typical Buddhist historiographical fashion it also claims all the Hindu gods "fell at the feet of Boddhisatva"
7th c, Chinese Buddhist traveller monk Xuanzang also describes it as a temple of Ishvara (ancient name for Shiva) So Buddhist sources themselves confirm that all the Hindu gods (especially Shiva & Vedic gods) were already being worshipped in Hindu temples by Buddha's own father & family.
Got the evidence now?
Now go tell your buddy to eat his $10 Million.
I don't need it - but you all will - to pay for the huge amount of copium & burnol that you need to buy now.
@MumukshuSavitri
Ok, I'll be patient and educate you.
We know that Chandragupta Maurya commissioned golden images of the Hindu divine family (Shiva, Parvati, Skanda, Vishakha) because Patanjali (2nd c. BCE) specifically refers to it while discussing the proper grammar to refer to such images as what the Mauryas sold in a discussion about proper suffixes from Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī (4th-c. BCE).
And the 2000 yr old Buddhist text Lalita Vistara clearly describes Gautama Buddha's father King Shuddhodhana taking him to worship at a Hindu temple in Kapilavastu which had Murtis of bhagwans Shiva, Skanda, Narayana, Kubera, Chandra, Surya, Indra, Brahma etc. etc. which existed before Buddha was even born. In typical Buddhist historiographical fashion it also claims all the Hindu gods "fell at the feet of Boddhisatva"
7th c, Chinese Buddhist traveller monk Xuanzang also describes it as a temple of Ishvara (ancient name for Shiva) So Buddhist sources themselves confirm that all the Hindu gods (especially Shiva & Vedic gods) were already being worshipped in Hindu temples by Buddha's own father & family.
Got the evidence now?
Now go tell your buddy to eat his $10 Million.
I don't need it - but you all will - to pay for the huge amount of copium & burnol that you need to buy now.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/i/status/2040305183880843306
@Yaduvam
Wall painting of Shiva with fragment of a worshipper, Bactria, 3rd century CE, Kushan period.
@Yaduvam
Wall painting of Shiva with fragment of a worshipper, Bactria, 3rd century CE, Kushan period.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/GemsOfINDOLOGY/status/2040799146823872707
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
The Vedas were not composed "somewhere in ancient India".
They name three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati. That confluence is today's Haryana belt.
This isn't ideology. This is internal geographic evidence the texts themselves provide.
So why does nobody mention the location? Haryana
@GemsOfINDOLOGY
The Vedas were not composed "somewhere in ancient India".
They name three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati. That confluence is today's Haryana belt.
This isn't ideology. This is internal geographic evidence the texts themselves provide.
So why does nobody mention the location? Haryana
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/Kautilya02/status/2040765006426550664
@Kautilya02
Imperial Guptas were the greatest patrons of Puranic Hinduism!
Here is Emperor Chandragupta Vikramaditya depicting himself at the feet of Varaha, the 3rd avatar of Vishnu saving the Earth (Bhudevi)
Puranic Hinduism took Indian Civilization to its peak!
https://x.com/Kautilya02/status/1813067190381519235
@Kautilya02
Emperor Chandragupta Dwitiya Vikramaditya of India depicts himself at the feet of the Varaha Avatara of God Vişnu. Imperial Guptas were staunch Vaishnavites.
Udaygiri, 380 СЕ
It's a humble request to all the novel writers, film, series & documentary makers that please while..
@Kautilya02
Imperial Guptas were the greatest patrons of Puranic Hinduism!
Here is Emperor Chandragupta Vikramaditya depicting himself at the feet of Varaha, the 3rd avatar of Vishnu saving the Earth (Bhudevi)
Puranic Hinduism took Indian Civilization to its peak!
https://x.com/Kautilya02/status/1813067190381519235
@Kautilya02
Emperor Chandragupta Dwitiya Vikramaditya of India depicts himself at the feet of the Varaha Avatara of God Vişnu. Imperial Guptas were staunch Vaishnavites.
Udaygiri, 380 СЕ
It's a humble request to all the novel writers, film, series & documentary makers that please while..
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/MumukshuSavitri/status/20 ... 5780936942
@MumukshuSavitri
The 1889 Government of India report on British cantonment prostitution documents a horrifying colonial system that didn't just force Indian women into sexual slavery - it shows that even little girls as young as 9-10 years old were not spared by the British soldiers.
A Chakla was a state-regulated brothel attached to a military cantonment where women were registered by colonial authorities & made "available" to British soldiers stationed in the cantonments. Under the Contagious Diseases Act, the "prostitutes" were subjected to brutal medical examinations to detect venereal disease and if infected, were thrown out on the street, to starve and die from the disease.
In 1891, Elizabeth Wheeler Andrew, a British investigative journalist and Kate Bushnell, a U.S.-trained medical doctor, personally visited the British cantonments to interview Indian women in Chaklas and recorded their experiences as firsthand evidence. They testified in In April 1893 during debates to finally abolish the Contagious Diseases Act, because of growing condemnation by women's rights groups.
Their testimony is incredibly disturbing because it records the presence of several young girls in the Chaklas down to the age of 11-12 and shockingly even one little girl who was only 4 years old. These young children are described as decked up like prostitutes. Teenage girls ranging from 14-17 were common, and the overwhelming majority of girls were less than 20 years old.
This horrifying abuse of underage children is further corroborated by the British doctor's reports about the number of cases infected by venereal diseases in the Chaklas. The report from Ambala cantonment during the year 1892 showed 447 cases of venereal disease, out of whom 41 were women and children. The explicit mention of “children” here among venereal disease cases is very disturbing, because it indicates that young children were also being exposed to transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in these cantonment brothels.
What's even more harrowing is that these victims lived in wretched conditions. Not only were they not paid for their "prostitution services", the British soldiers would rob them of their money or property and torture them physically. Often the British soldiers would get drunk and violently abuse the females, beating them up, & inflicting physical horrors like cutting their arms & breasts. They lived in pathetic conditions and suffered greatly during the winter without warm clothes or even doors to survive the freezing temperatures,
They were humiliated and forced to exist in a framework aimed only at managing the soldiers’ health not theirs. Compulsory medical inspections and confinement in “lock hospitals” for those diagnosed with disease were terrifying, as speculums were inserted into their bodies to "inspect" for signs of venereal disease, while the girls were chained to chairs, with their feet restricted by screws so that they could not escape.
Epstein Files pales in comparison to the unforgivable crimes that the British committed against Indian women and children with their cantonment prostitution policy. The most vulnerable and weakest sections of our society were violated & exploited barbarically due to their helplessness in such exploitative environments.
Time may forget such inhuman brutality but Karma never will
Source: Secretary of State for India. (1889). Report of the committee appointed to inquire into the rules, regulations, and practice in the Indian cantonments and elsewhere in India, with regard to prostitution and the treatment of venereal disease; together with minutes of evidence and appendices. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
@MumukshuSavitri
The 1889 Government of India report on British cantonment prostitution documents a horrifying colonial system that didn't just force Indian women into sexual slavery - it shows that even little girls as young as 9-10 years old were not spared by the British soldiers.
A Chakla was a state-regulated brothel attached to a military cantonment where women were registered by colonial authorities & made "available" to British soldiers stationed in the cantonments. Under the Contagious Diseases Act, the "prostitutes" were subjected to brutal medical examinations to detect venereal disease and if infected, were thrown out on the street, to starve and die from the disease.
In 1891, Elizabeth Wheeler Andrew, a British investigative journalist and Kate Bushnell, a U.S.-trained medical doctor, personally visited the British cantonments to interview Indian women in Chaklas and recorded their experiences as firsthand evidence. They testified in In April 1893 during debates to finally abolish the Contagious Diseases Act, because of growing condemnation by women's rights groups.
Their testimony is incredibly disturbing because it records the presence of several young girls in the Chaklas down to the age of 11-12 and shockingly even one little girl who was only 4 years old. These young children are described as decked up like prostitutes. Teenage girls ranging from 14-17 were common, and the overwhelming majority of girls were less than 20 years old.
This horrifying abuse of underage children is further corroborated by the British doctor's reports about the number of cases infected by venereal diseases in the Chaklas. The report from Ambala cantonment during the year 1892 showed 447 cases of venereal disease, out of whom 41 were women and children. The explicit mention of “children” here among venereal disease cases is very disturbing, because it indicates that young children were also being exposed to transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in these cantonment brothels.
What's even more harrowing is that these victims lived in wretched conditions. Not only were they not paid for their "prostitution services", the British soldiers would rob them of their money or property and torture them physically. Often the British soldiers would get drunk and violently abuse the females, beating them up, & inflicting physical horrors like cutting their arms & breasts. They lived in pathetic conditions and suffered greatly during the winter without warm clothes or even doors to survive the freezing temperatures,
They were humiliated and forced to exist in a framework aimed only at managing the soldiers’ health not theirs. Compulsory medical inspections and confinement in “lock hospitals” for those diagnosed with disease were terrifying, as speculums were inserted into their bodies to "inspect" for signs of venereal disease, while the girls were chained to chairs, with their feet restricted by screws so that they could not escape.
Epstein Files pales in comparison to the unforgivable crimes that the British committed against Indian women and children with their cantonment prostitution policy. The most vulnerable and weakest sections of our society were violated & exploited barbarically due to their helplessness in such exploitative environments.
Time may forget such inhuman brutality but Karma never will
Source: Secretary of State for India. (1889). Report of the committee appointed to inquire into the rules, regulations, and practice in the Indian cantonments and elsewhere in India, with regard to prostitution and the treatment of venereal disease; together with minutes of evidence and appendices. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
^^ Uddu ji, thanks for the above.
I have been saying this: the Devadasi system is another monster creation of the Britshits in India. They conveniently used the temple dancing traditions (part of 64 kalas for women/girls to be skilled in) and turned it into a brothel for the britshit soldiers posted in India. At the same time they tarnished the Indic culture to allow young girls to practice their brahman given potential to express themselves in devotion to their chosen diety.
I have been saying this: the Devadasi system is another monster creation of the Britshits in India. They conveniently used the temple dancing traditions (part of 64 kalas for women/girls to be skilled in) and turned it into a brothel for the britshit soldiers posted in India. At the same time they tarnished the Indic culture to allow young girls to practice their brahman given potential to express themselves in devotion to their chosen diety.
Re: Tradition, Culture, Religion & Law in Indian Society
https://x.com/poetryinstone/status/2041778848094941518
@poetryinstone
Recovered fm Sucindram temple pond
@poetryinstone
Recovered fm Sucindram temple pond