Amritsar The Golden heritage..............Must Read

Amritsar, which literally means a pool of nectar, lies twenty kilometres east of the lndo-Pakistan border, is the Punjab state's second largest town. It was founded in 1577 by Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs. Here a tank was excavated and a temple was got built by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in its midst and a new city began to grow up round the sacred pool. The name Amritsar meaning 'Pool of Nectar', is named after the sacred pool around which the Sikh's Golden Temple is built. Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification is the major landmark of the place. The present city dates back to the 15th century but there are evidence that this city is related to ramayan yug so city's sacred heritage must be measured in terms of millenniums and not in centuries.

Amritsar lied at a distance of about 280 miles from Delhi and is only 16 miles from Wagha, the outpost of the Indo-Pakistan border.The city is an important regional market center for agricultural goods, woollens, spices and dry fruits and also the center for India's border security. Today it is India's important distribution centre of dry-fruits, tea (next only to Calcutta), of condiments and is a leading exporter of goods to the Middle East.

 

Woollen tweeds, suitings, blankets, shawls in traditional weaves, ivory (now plastic) inlay furniture, swords of all designs, oils, scents, jutties (traditional embroidered shoes), cut-glass crockery, selective musical instruments,

 

 carpets are manufactured here almost in every bazaar. Its pickles, murabbas (Indian jams) and papads and warian and sweetmeats are exported to far off places, right into Punjabi Diaspora abroad. With a population of about 4,00,000 and a number of educational institutions, business markets, industrial concerns, banks, hotels parks and restaurants, Amritsar still remains the most important, the largest and, perhaps, the most picturesque city in the Punjab. Amritsar is also characterised by the hard working and warm-hearted people.
 

Climate

Amritsar has an extreme climate with very hot summers and very cold winters. Monsoon hits the city around the first week of July and brings average rainfall. The best time to visit Amritsar is between October and March.The best clothing for summer is cotton and for winter is woollen. Temperature usually ranges between 30 to 46 °C in summers and between 0 to 17 °C in winters.

Distance From
New Delhi	450 Kms
Chandigarh	235 Kms
Jammu	216 kms
Ferozepur	160 kms
Wagah	29 kms

How To Reach :-

Air : Amritsar is connected by Indian Airlines flights to Delhi and Srinagar. There is a weekly flight to Birmingham and Kabul. Rajasansi airport is not far from the city and taxis are available for the transfers.

Rail : Amritsar is connected with direct trains to delhi , Calcutta , Mumbai , Puri, and other places. The important ones include the Frontier Mail to Mumbai, Shatabdi Express to Delhi and Utkal Express to Puri. There are twice-weekly runs by Lahore Express, the train to Pakistan. Amritsar Railway station provides amenities including Retiring room and refreshment rooms. Taxis are available outside the station.

Road : There is vast network of bus services of Punjab, Himachal , Delhi . Haryana, PEPSU, Chandigarh, U.P , J& K , Rajasthan state roadways, apart from private operators. Important destinations include Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Kullu, Manali and Jammu. Taxis are also available, but not everywhere. They stand outside the airport and railway station. There are autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also very common for local transfers.

Amritsar at a Glance
Area	5,075sq.km
Altitude	234 m
Population	25,03,165
Literacy	About Fifty percent
Languages	Hindi, Punjabi and English

Basic Information
Climate
Summer	30 to 46 °C
Winter	0 to 17 °C
Monsoons	July to September
Best Season	September to March
Rain Fall	59.2 cms.
Other Information
STD Code	0183
District	Amritsar
State	Punjab
Tehsils	Ajnala, Amritsar (2) Baba Bakala, Khadur Sahib, Patti,Tarn Taran
Sub-Tehsils	Goindwal Sahib, Jhabal, Khem Karan, Lopoke, Ramdas, Bhikhiwind, Chola Sahib, Majitha, Attari, Tarsikka
Development Blocks	Ajnala, Bhikhiwind, Chogawan, Chohla Sahib, Gandiwind Harsa Chhina, Jandiala Guru, Khadur Sahib, Majitha, Naushehra Pannuan Patti, Rayya, Tarn Taran, Tarsika, Valtoha, Verka
Crops	Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Sugarcane
Airport	Raja Sansi, International Airport

Places of Interest in Amritsar

Golden Temple, Jaliawal Bagh, Durgiana Mandir, Baba Atal Rai Tower, Khalsa College & Guru Nanak Dev University, Bazaars Around Amritsar Rambagh Garden, Ram Tirth, Wagah Border, Amanat Khan Serai, Baba Bakala, Dharamsala, Gobindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran, Harike Wetland, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh

Karnataka’s spell-binding waterfalls...Must read....!

When the monsoon kicks into top gear, waterfalls reach the peak of their grandeur. The dry trickle of summer is long forgotten as these cascades gush with resurgent life and energise their surroundings as well as those who gaze upon their beauty. Many of the most captivating waterfalls, including some famous around the world, are in Karnataka, and many of these are located in the Western Ghats, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel photographer SHIVAKUMAR L NARAYAN reveals nine of the most spectacular waterfalls in the state.

Gaganachukki: Located in Mandya district of Karnataka, Gaganachukki (the name means “Fallen from the Sky”), and its twin Barachukki (next photo), are just over an hour’s journey from Bangalore. These falls are formed by the Cauvery River.

Barachukki: The spectacular Barachukki Falls are on the eastern branch of the Cauvery River and located just over an hour’s drive from Bangalore. A visit to these falls, along with one to the forceful Gaganachukki nearby, make for a refreshing day-trip.

 

Iruppu Falls: These picturesque waterfalls are situated at the edge of the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, about 50 km from the district headquarters at Madikeri. They are also known as the Lakshmana Theertha Falls, a name derived from the Lakshmana Theertha River, a tributary of the Cauvery River that rises in these hills.

Chunchi Falls: Nestled among the rocky terrain of Kanakapura in rural Bangalore, these falls formed by the Arkavati River are less than 90 km by road from the city. A short off-road trek leads you to face the falls, which are a sight to behold.

Hebbe Falls: A treacherous drive along rough terrain inside a private coffee estate in Kemmanagundi – a famous hill station of the region – leads you to Hebbe Falls. The cascade plunges over 500 feet in two stages of varying sizes, aptly named Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe. The water from the falls drains into the Bhadra River.

Jog Falls: One of the most spectacular waterfalls in India and India’s second-highest, Jog Falls needs no introduction. Formed by the Sharavathi River in Shimoga district of Karnataka, it falls from a height of over 900 feet and has four branches named Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani.

Sathodi Falls: About 50 km the town of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, the Sathodi Falls are a tributary of the Kali River. Plunging nearly 50 feet, it is fed by numerous streams and eventually drains into the Kali. The challenging terrain of its location, together with lush forests infested with leeches, makes access to this waterfall difficult. Nonetheless, it is a view to be enjoyed.

Magod Falls: Magod Falls is located in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district, about 80 km from the district headquarters at Karwar and about 20 km from the town of Yellapur, which is the nearest railway station. Formed by the Bedti River, it falls in two steps and plunges nearly 650 feet. 

Royal Period of INDIA in Mughal Dynasty............!

Delhi has seen the advent of several kingdoms. Some of these were born and brought up in the Indian soil itself. The other kingdoms came to India as guests or for business and ended up conquering India. MughalDynasty was one of the biggest dynasties which conquered India. The Mughal Dynasty or the Mogul Empire, as it is commonly known as, was Indian- Islamic kingdom which began in 1526.

After the Timurids, the Mughals came to the forefront as the rulers. They were the descendents of the Timurids. The Mughal Dynasty ruled India from the 16th century till the 18th century. Towards the end of the 19th century, they existed as powerless entities.

The beginning ofMughal Rule in India :

Delhi saw a change in the rule with the coming of the Mughal dynasty. The Mughal dynasty set its foot in India under the guidance of Mughal Emperor Babur. He first captured Punjab with his army and then aimed at the capital Delhi. Delhi and a major part of India then belonged to Ibrahim Lodhi, who was the Delhi sultan. Babur already had Afghanistan under his kingship, but he later quenched his thirst of more places after capturing Indian regions. With Babur, came the Mughal Empire to Delhi as well as other places.

Mughal Empireand their rule :

Mughal Empire had one of the longest rules in India. The word Mughal had come up from the homeland of the Mughal, called Moghulistan. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the famous battle of Panipat. He then defeated Rana Sanga of Chittor.

Initially, with the advent of the Mughal in India, there were several confusions. The Mughal dynasty had brought in the Persian culture along with them. They were Turks but they had a lot of Persian effect on them too. India too got a taste of this Persian and Turkish taste in many ways.

The Mughal andtheir likes :

Mughal were people of good taste. They did bring in barbarous ways of administration in the initial and the later years. But, they also touched Delhi and its neighboring places with some excellent Mughal art. Babur and his successors had great love for art in terms of monuments, sculptures, mosques, gardens and so on. The Mughal dynasty contributed a lot to the India in terms of Persian art. There are remarkable monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Fatehpur Sikri and so on.

Mughal Rulers ofMughal Dynasty :

Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur was the first Mughal Emperor in India. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun, who was known as the ailing and less brave prince. In a battle with the famous Sher Shah Suri, Humayun fled from the battlefield. He died at an early age and was succeeded by his 13 year old, chivalrous son, Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar. Akbar was the strongest and most powerful of all the Mughal Emperors who followed after him or who ruled before him. He not only won several battles but also won acclaim as a great ruler. This great Mughal Emperor was succeeded by Nooruddin Muhammad Jahangir. He was more of an alcoholic and a lover of beauty. The throne was mainly managed by his wife Noor Jahan. Jahangir was then succeeded by his son, Shahaabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan. He became famous for his love of art and architecture. Under him, several great monuments came up in Agra and Delhi. He was not a great ruler and thus came under the domination of one of his sons, Moinhuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir. Aurangzeb is known as a cruel Mughal Emperor. But he was also a great conqueror and spread his kingdom to cover more of India. Last important Mughal Dynasty ruler was Bahadur Shah Zafar was deposed by the British Government for conspiring against them.

Mughal Dynasty conquered India with an intention to rule. They did so but also gifted India and specially Delhi, with some great work of architecture.

Rajasthan The Royal Place of INDIA

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Rajasthan is where all the country's similes and metaphors appear to have come together. Sand dunes, wooded hills and amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts, men and women in colorful turbans and skirts, bustling towns and quiet villages, camels, elephants and tigers, harsh sunlight and the cool evening breeze - are all there in abundance.

History of Rajasthan

Rajasthan was inhabited by the Rajput clan in the 8th century. The waning of their power led to the emergence of Jats, Nath, Ahirs, Gujars, Bhils and Meenas, who established their dominance in the different districts of Rajasthan. It is noteworthy that these clans largely influenced the culture of Rajasthan. The 12th century heralded the rule of the Muslims, who were followed by the Mughals. The people, culture and architecture of Rajasthan largely owe to the Mughal Empire.

Rajasthan, land of princes, comprised many small kingdoms ruled over by clans who warred constantly for supremacy and individually tried to stem the tide of the Islamic invasions. The clans were all Rajputs

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Rajputs of Rajasthan were the descendants of the Kshatriyas or warriors of Vedic India. The emergence of the Rajput warrior clans was in the 6th and 7th centuries. Rajputs ancestry can be divided into two: the "solar" or suryavanshi-those descended from Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, and the "lunar" or chandravanshi, who claimed descent from Krishana, the hero of the epic Mahabharata. Later a third clan was added, the agnikula or fire-born, said to have emerged from the flames of a sacrificial fire on Mt Abu.

It has been accepted that the Rajputs were divided into thirty-six races and twenty-one kingdoms. The Rajput clans gave rise to dynasties like Sisodias of Mewar (Udaipur), the Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur), the Rathors of Marwar (Jodhpur & Bikaner), the Hadas of Jhalwawar, Kota & Bundi, the Bhattis of Jaisalmer, the Shekhawats of Shekhawati and the Chauhans of Ajmer.

Some popular rulers have been listed and given below according to period:

Ancient Period, upto 1200Century

Rajput clans emerged and held their sway over different parts of Rajasthan from about 700 AD. Before that, Rajasthan was a part of several republics. It was a part of the Mauryan Empire. Other major republics that dominated this region include the Malavas, Arjunyas, Yaudhyas, Kushans, Saka Satraps, Guptas and Hunas.

The Rajput clans ascendancy in Indian history was during the period from the eighth to the twelfth century AD. The Pratihars ruled Rajasthan and most of northern India during 750-1000 AD. Between 1000-1200 AD, Rajasthan witnessed the struggle for supremacy between Chalukyas, Parmars and Chauhans.

Bappa Rawal (713 - 753)

Bappa Rawal was one of the most powerful and famous rulers of the Mewar Dynasty. Although a surviving member of the Guhilot clan, Prince Kalbhoj (his actual name) did not continue the family name of seven generations when he came to the throne; instead, he established the Mewar Dynasty, naming it for the kingdom he had just taken.

Prithvi Raj Chauhan (1168 -1192)

Prithvi Raj Chauhan was the second last Hindu king to sit upon the throne of Delhi (the last Hindu king being Hemu). He succeeded to the throne in 1179 CE at the age of 11, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. He controlled much of Rajasthan and Haryana, and unified the Rajputs against Muslim invasions

Medieval Period, 1201 - 1750Century

Around 1200 AD a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers. The principal centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer. Ranthanbhor was also under their suzerainty. At the beginning of the 13th century AD, the most prominent and powerful state of Rajasthan was Mewar.

Some of the rulers have been listed below.

Rana Kumbha (1419 - 1469)

His reign was one of expansion and consolidation. Kumbha was a remarkable ruler. He was a great general and defeated the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat. He built the forts at Kumbalgarh, Achalgarh, and Mandalgarh. He erected the Tower of Victory at Chittor and built innumerable temples. He was a scholar of Sanskrit and a fine musician. He wrote several commentaries on musical treatises. He was a tolerant ruler and during his reign the beautiful Jain temples at Ranakpur were built.

Maharana Pratap (1540 - 1597)

Maharana Pratap belonged to the Sisodia clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs. The epitome of fiery Rajput pride and self-respect, Pratap has for centuries exemplified the qualities that Rajputs

Pratap, eldest of 25 brothers and 20 sisters, was born at Kumbhalgarh to Maharana Udai Singh II and Maharani Javanta Bai Songara (Chauhan). Maharana Pratap was born in Pali-Marwar. His birthplace is known as Juni Kacheri.

Maharana Udai Singh (1542 -1572)

Maharana Udai Singh was a king of Mewar and the founder of the city of Udaipur in the present day Rajasthan He was the 53rd ruler of the Mewar dynasty. He was the fourth and posthumous son of Maharana Sangram Singh and Rani Karmavati, a princess of Bundi

Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1611 -1667)

He was ruler of the kingdom of Amber (later called Jaipur). His father was Maha Singh the Raja of Garha, and his mother was Damayanti, a princess of Mewar.

At the tender age of 10 Jai Singh I became the Raja of Amber and the head of the Kachwaha Rajputs. His military career spans the full reign of Shah Jahan and the first half of Aurangzeb's reign. Jai Singh's first step in his rise to greatness took place on the accession of Shah taking advantage of this change of sovereigns.

Rao Bika

Rao Bika was the founder of the city and principality of Bikaner. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the city and principality of Jodhpur.

Rao Bika left Marwar (Jodhpur) to create his own kingdom. Rao Jodha supported Bika in his endeavours in return in return for which he made Bika promise never to try and take the throne of Mewar.Some valuable family heirlooms which would legitimize his right to found a kingdom were promised to Bika.

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh(1688-1743)

During his time Amber proved too small for the growing power of the state. He built the new capital of Jaipur (1712) and being a great diplomat maintained equitable relations with the bigoted Emperor Aurangzeb.

Due to the policy of appeasement, the matrimonial alliances and the solid military support offered by Amber-Jaipur to the Moghuls, this state escaped the sacking and constant warfare which disrupted other Rajput principalities. As a result, the state of Jaipur was the most advanced at the time of Indian independence (1947)

Jaipur as a matter of course became the capital of the newly formed state of Rajasthan. Its ruler, Sawai Man Singh II became Rajpramukh of Rajasthan. His wife, now Rajmata Gayatri Devi entered politics and is a member of parliament. Sawai Man Singh was a great polo player. His son and heir Bhavani Singh is an officer in the Indian Army and won the Mahavira Chakra for conspicuous bravery in the 1971 war with Pakistan thus maintaining the martial traditions of the Rajputs.

Rajasthan had never been united politically until its domination by Mughal Emperor - Akbar. Akbar created a unified province of Rajasthan. Mughal The political disintegration of Rajasthan was caused by the dismemberment of the Mughal Empire. The Marathas penetrated Rajasthan upon the decline of the Mughal Empire. In 1755 they occupied Ajmer. The beginning of the 19th Century was marked by the onslaught of the Pindaris.

Post Independence

The erstwhile Rajputana comprised 19 princely states and two chiefships of Lava and Kushalgarh and a British administered territory of Ajmer-Merwara. Rajasthan State was heterogeneous conglomeration of separate political entities with different administrative systems prevailing in different places.

The present State of Rajasthan was formed after a long process of integration which began on March 17, 1948 and ended on November 1, 1956. Before integration it was called Rajputana; after integration it came to be known as Rajasthan. At present there are 33 districts (including the new district of Pratapgarh) in the State.

 

Will be Back

                              

TomarDynasty Developed In Delhi.....................! Must Read.

TomarDynasty

 Developed In Delhi.....................!

Delhi as a city saw a lot of dynasties ruling them.

In the ancient history of India, the Mauryas and then the Pandavas had a dominant rule in and around Delhi. It was these rulers, who founded the two cities of Indraprastha and Hastinapur. The great kingdom of the Pandavas was continued as the Tomardynasty. It was more like a succession than a take over, which took place at Indraprastha, now Delhi.

Mauryas

Pandavas

Delhi witnessed this change of dynasties.

Since no outsider had taken charge, not much changed in the style of ruling.

Indraprastha

Hastinapur

History ofthe Tomar Dynasty :

The Tomar Dynasty came up after the Pandavas ceased to rule. The Tomaras are said to be the descendents of the Pandavas. The dynasty began with the great grandson, of the Pandava prince Arjuna. Emperor Janmejaya is the great grand son of Arjuna and the son of Emperor Parikshit. After King Yudhisthir passed on his legacy to his brother’s grandson Parikshit, the Tomaras came up as a dynasty.

 

The rule of this Tomar dynasty lasted till the last Tomar king ruled. It was Maharaja Anangpal Tomar –III who ruled as the last Tomar king. As per the succession rule, his sons were to continue with the Tomar dynasty legacy. But, as the story goes, the king had gone for a pilgrimage after handing over the kingdom to his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan (daughter’s son). Prithiviraj Chauhan who was not the actual successor and was merely appointed as the caretaker of the kingdom later refused to return the kingdom to the Tomaras. Hence, Prithviraj Chauhan was never crowned as the ruler of the dynasty, but continued to rule.

Spread of Tomar Dynasty :

The Tomar dynasty was defeated by the Ghoris, which led to their shift from core Delhi to Gwalior area. A famous citadel which still stands high in Gwalior was built by the Tomar rulers, Man Singh Tomar and Virsingh Deo. After the Mughal Emperor Akbar defeated the Tomaras, some of them converted themselves to Islam.

The Tomar Clan :

The Tomar clan continued as a part of the Pandavas. Hence they descended serially as a part of the Chandravanshi lineage. They were descendents of the famous rulers, Puru, Kuru, Dushyant, Arjuna, Kshemaka, and Tungpal and so on. The Tomaras were also known as Toor and Tanwar.

Different sub-clan type of the Tomar Dynasty :

The Tomaras were subdivided into several sub clans, apart from the major Rajputana clan. These clans include:

1. Janghara
2. Rajputs
3. Pathania
4. RajputsJatu
5. Rajputs
6. Berurai
7. Jarral Rajputs
8. Janjua Rajputs

The Kingdom spread of Tomar Dynasty:

The Tomar Dynasty emerged at Indraprastha after the Pandavas finished their rule and passed on the crown to their successors. The Tomar dynasty further spread to other areas such as:

Gwalior: Gwalior was their second major stop. Tomar rulers had spread to Gwalior after a war with the Ghori ruler.

Hastinapur: Hastinapur was already a part of the Pandavas. Hence, this city went on to become a part of the Tomar dynasty automatically.

Dholpur: Dholpur was discovered by Raja Dholan Deo Tomar in 1004. This country of the Tomar king was in between the Banganga and the Chambal River.

The Tomar Dynasty gifted a great style of administration. The dynasty existed with the descendents of the Great Pandavas. The ruins of that era have some architectural works by the Tomar Dynasty in and around Delhi, for you to check out.