Subject: History

Central Idea

• Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar raised the national flag at the Gaja Dwar (elephant gate) of India’s new Parliament building just days before its first session.
• This event sheds light on the symbolic importance of the Gaja Dwar and the other entrances in the new Parliament.

Gaja Dwar (Elephant Gate)

• Wisdom and Wealth: The new Parliament building features six entrances, each representing a distinct role. The Gaja Dwar, adorned with a sculpture of an elephant, guards the northern entrance. The elephant is a symbol of wisdom, wealth, intellect, memory, and embodies the aspirations of elected representatives in the democracy.
• Vastu Shastra: According to Vastu shastra, the northern direction is associated with planet Mercury, the source of higher intellect, and is presided over by Kubera, the god of wealth. Hence, the Gaja is placed at the northern entrance.

Cultural Symbolism

• Guardian Statues: All six entrances of the New Parliament Building feature red sandstone sculptures of auspicious animals known as “guardian statues.” These selections were made based on their significance in Indian culture, aesthetic appeal, positive qualities, and Vaastu Shastra principles.

1. Asva (Horse): Positioned at the southern entrance, the vigilant horse symbolizes endurance, strength, power, and speed, reflecting the quality of governance.
2. Garuda (Eagle-like Bird): The Garuda stands at the eastern ceremonial entrance, representing the aspirations of the people and the country’s administrators. In Vastu shastra, the east is associated with the rising sun, symbolizing hope, victory, and success.
3. Makara (Mythological Aquatic Creature): Combining features of different animals, the Makara signifies unity in diversity among the nation’s people.
4. Shardula (Mythological Creature): Regarded as the most powerful among all living beings, the Shardula symbolizes the strength of the country’s people.
5. Hamsa (Swan): Located at the public entrance to the northeast, the Hamsa highlights the essential quality of discernment and self-realization, born of wisdom, in the nation’s people.

Ceremonial Entrances

• Three of these entrances are designed as ceremonial entrances, meant to welcome special guests and mark significant events.
• These entrances showcase Indian art, culture, ethos, and patriotism.
• They are named Gyan, Shakti, and Karma, representing the Indian knowledge system, patriotism, and artistic traditions, respectively.

Central Idea

• Situated in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, the small town of Santiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• This is the place where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore spent much of his life.

About Santiniketan

• Santiniketan, situated in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India, is an iconic cultural and heritage destination with a rich historical legacy.
• Its prominence is attributed to its association with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Significance of Santiniketan

• Rabindranath Tagore’s Home: Santiniketan served as the residence of Rabindranath Tagore, where he not only lived but also composed numerous literary works, encompassing songs, poems, and novels.
• Artistic Abode: The Santiniketan campus is adorned with magnificent sculptures, frescoes, murals, and paintings created by eminent artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar, Binodbehari Mukhopadhyay, and others.
• Cultural Festivals: The broader Birbhum District, where Santiniketan is nestled, is renowned for its vibrant fairs and festivals. Notable celebrations include Poush Mela (December), Joydev Mela (January), Basanta Utsav (Holi) in March and the renowned mystic Baul Singers.
• Unique Events: Santiniketan hosts special cultural festivities during Bengali New Year and Rabindra Janmotsav (Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary) in the Bengali month of Boisakh, marked with great enthusiasm.
• Distinctive Festivals: The region observes distinctive festivals such as Briksharopan (festival of Planting Saplings) and Halakarshan (festival of Plowing the Fields) on the 22nd and 23rd days of Sravana (August), respectively. Additionally, Varshamangal, the festival of rains, is celebrated in August/September.
• Poush Mela: Santiniketan hosts the annual Poush Mela, commencing on the 7th day of the Poush month. While officially spanning three days, vendors may extend their stay throughout the month. The festival is renowned for live performances of Bengali folk music, particularly by bauls (traditional wandering minstrels), and showcases tribal dances like Santali.

West Bengal’s Presence on the World Heritage List

• Santiniketan is the second cultural symbol from West Bengal to join the prestigious UNESCO list.
• In 2021, UNESCO added ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, highlighting West Bengal’s rich cultural heritage.

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Back2Basics: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

	Description
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	Landmarks or areas selected by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant value, legally protected by international treaties.
Importance	World Heritage Sites represent collective and preservative interests of humanity, signifying remarkable accomplishments and intellectual history.
Selection Criteria	Sites must be already-classified landmarks, unique and significant culturally or physically, such as ancient ruins, historical structures, cities, monuments, etc.
Conservation	World Heritage Sites require practical conservation to protect them from risks like trespassing, uncontrolled access, or administrative negligence.
World Heritage Committee	Selects and monitors World Heritage Sites, manages the World Heritage Fund, and provides financial assistance. Composed of 21 states parties elected for a four-year term.
Membership	India is not a member of the World Heritage Committee.

Note: “States parties” refer to the countries that have ratified the World Heritage Convention and participate in the decision-making process.

Central Idea

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at the G20 Summit, traces its historical roots to an ancient maritime trade route connecting the Indian subcontinent and the Europe.

India- Europe: Glimpse into Historical Trade Route

• Early Discoveries: The trade between Rome and India during antiquity was established by early excavations. Sir Mortimer Wheeler’s work at Arikamedu in the 1930s and 40s confirmed the existence of Indo-Roman trade in the 1st century CE.
• Recent excavations: Ongoing archaeological excavations, such as those at Muziris in Kerala and Berenike in Egypt, continue to yield new evidence.
• Revised Understanding: However, early interpretations often overlooked the agency of Indian merchants and ship owners in this trade. Recent discoveries have expanded and corrected our understanding of this ancient trade network.
• Staggering Scale: Recent estimates, supported by the Muziris Papyrus, reveal the immense scale of the Red Sea trade. Custom taxes on goods from India, Persia, and Ethiopia possibly contributed up to one-third of the Roman exchequer’s income.

Details unveiled by Muziris Excavations

• Custom Taxes: The Muziris Papyrus detailed a cargo’s value, highlighting its enormous worth, with one cargo alone being equivalent to the purchase of premium farmland in Egypt or a prestigious estate in central Italy.
• Roman Revenue: The import tax collected on this cargo alone exceeded two million sesterces. Extrapolating from these figures, Indian imports into Egypt were likely worth over a billion sesterces annually, with tax authorities generating 270 million sesterces.
• Comparative Significance: These revenues surpassed those of entire subject countries, emphasizing the pivotal role of this trade route in sustaining the Roman Empire’s vast conquests and legions.

Trade details

• Peak Period: During the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, a maritime highway connected the Roman Empire and India through the Red Sea. This route witnessed hundreds of ships travelling in both directions annually.
• Traded Goods: The Romans had a great demand for Indian luxuries, including perfumes, ivory, pearls, gemstones, and exotic animals like elephants and tigers. Pepper, India’s major export, was particularly sought after, finding its way into Roman cuisine.
• Trade from Rome: The flow of goods from Rome to India was limited, with gold being a prominent export. Roman wine was one notable exception, appreciated by Indians.

Pre-Common Era Trade

• Early Indian Diaspora: Evidence suggests the existence of an Indian diaspora in the Middle East during the time of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE). This early trade was coastal and involved smaller quantities of goods.
• Roman Period Expansion: The trade expanded significantly during Roman times, facilitated by large cargo ships directly connecting the subcontinent and the Roman Empire. Romans played a key role in industrializing this trade.
• Post-Conquest Peak: The conquest of Egypt by the Romans in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE opened up the route to India, leading to a substantial increase in trade.

Organization and Duration of Journeys

• Highly Organized Trade: Contracts were established between Indian merchants in Kerala and shippers in Alexandria. Goods were transported in containers, similar to modern practices, with references to insurance.
• Understanding Monsoons: Indians recognized the monsoon winds’ seasonal patterns, enabling them to navigate the route efficiently. The journey to Egypt took approximately six to eight weeks, depending on favorable wind conditions.
• Extended Stays: Indian diaspora rented houses in Egyptian ports while waiting for wind patterns to shift, allowing for the integration of Indian culture into these regions.

Roles of Indians in the Trade

• Indian Seafaring Culture: Evidence suggests that Indian dynasties were interested in seafaring, as depicted in Ajanta paintings and early Indian coin designs featuring ships.
• Indian Sailors: Graffiti left by Indian sailors, primarily Gujaratis from Barigaza (modern-day Bharuch), has been discovered in the Hoq caves on the island of Socotra, emphasizing their active participation in the trade network.

Comparing with the Silk Road

• Indian Centrality: The ancient economic and cultural hub of Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and its ports played a central role in maritime East-West exchange. The concept of the “Silk Road” is relatively recent and inaccurately portrays the ancient trade routes.
• Historical Invisibility: The Silk Road concept was coined in the late 19th century and did not exist in ancient or medieval times. It gained popularity in the 20th century, fostering romanticized ideas about East-West connectivity.
• Recent Politicization: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative has politicized the Silk Road, making it a central component of Chinese foreign policy.

Central Idea

• In New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, a grand 27-foot Nataraja statue, the world’s tallest depiction of Lord Shiva in his dancing form, awaits the arrival of G20 leaders.
• Craftsmen behind the statue trace their lineage 34 generations back to the Cholas.

The Nataraja Masterpiece

• Crafted from an eight-metal alloy (ashtadhatu) by skilled artisans from Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu.
• Weighing approximately 18 tonnes, it was transported across the country on a 36-wheel trailer.

• The statue’s design draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols:

• 1. Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.
  2. Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram.
  3. Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple in Thanjavur (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

The Cholas and Nataraja

• All three temples that inspired the Bharat Mandapam Nataraja statue were originally constructed by the Cholas.
• During the 9th-11th centuries AD, the Cholas ruled much of peninsular India and were known for their patronage of art and culture.
• Chola art and architecture flourished during their territorial expansion.

Significance: Shiva as the Lord of Dance

• Lord Shiva’s portrayal as Nataraja evolved from the Vedic deity Rudra.
• Shiva is a complex deity, embodying both destructive and protective aspects.
• Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, symbolizes Shiva’s role as both the destroyer and protector.
• He is known to have invented numerous dances, ranging from calm to fierce and orgiastic.

Iconography of Nataraja

• Nataraja is often depicted within a flaming aureole or halo, representing the circle of the world.
• He has long dreadlocks, signifying the energy of his dance, and four arms.
• In his upper right hand, he holds a damru (hand drum), in the upper left, agni (fire).
• A dwarf-like figure beneath his foot symbolizes illusion.
• Nataraja’s front right hand makes the ‘abhayamudra’ (gesture to allay fear), and he points to his raised feet with his front left hand.
• Despite its complex symbolism, Nataraja typically wears a serene smile, signifying the duality of life and death.

The Lost Wax Method

• The 27-foot Bharat Mandapam Nataraja statue was created using the traditional ‘lost-wax’ casting method, indigenous to the Chola era.
• This method dates back at least 6,000 years.
• It involves creating a wax model, covering it with a special soil paste, heating it to remove the wax, leaving behind a hollow mould, which is then filled with molten metal.
• This technique was mastered by the Cholas and is considered a pinnacle of metallurgical artistry.

Central Idea

• Seethakali folk dance of Kerala has been fading from the public domain, and around three decades ago, it was on the verge of extinction.

Seethakali Folk Art

• Seethakali is a traditional folk dance that originates from the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
• It is performed primarily by Dalit artists from the Veda and Pulaya communities.

Key Features

• Seethakali is a unique form of folk art that combines elements of storytelling dance, drama, and song.
• The central narrative revolves around the epic Ramayana, particularly focusing on the characters of Sita, Ram, and Laxman.
• Artists adorn themselves with eye-catching makeup, traditional ornaments, and elaborate costumes, enhancing the visual appeal of the performance.

Central Idea

• India, with its rich heritage, has borne various names throughout its history, each encapsulating a distinct facet of its identity.
• The process of naming this diverse land has sparked debates, controversies, and reflections on its collective consciousness.

Historical Evolution of Names

1. Meluha (Third Millennium BCE):

• The ancient Mesopotamian texts referenced ‘Meluha’ to denote the Indus Valley Civilization, highlighting India’s antiquity and interactions with ancient civilizations.
• ‘Meluha’ is believed to have been used to describe the Indus Valley Civilization in texts from the third millennium BCE.

2. Bharata (Ancient Times to Modern Era):

• Rooted in Puranic literature and the Mahabharata, ‘Bharata’ resonates with religious and socio-cultural connotations.
• Associated with a supraregional and subcontinental territory where Brahmanical society prevailed.
• Evident during the freedom struggle through slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
• ‘Bharata’ was derived from the mythological founders of the race, and its popularity during modern times is also due to its usage during the freedom movement.

3. Aryavarta, Jambudvipa, Nabhivarsa (Ancient Vedic Period):

• ‘Aryavarta’ referred to the land between the Himalayas and Vindhya ranges, where the Indo-Aryans resided.
• ‘Jambudvipa’ and ‘Nabhivarsa’ were also used in Vedic texts and Jain literature to signify the subcontinent, emphasizing different cultural contexts.

4. Hindustan (7th Century BCE):

• Originated during Persian occupation, ‘Hindustan’ referred to the lower Indus basin.
• ‘Hind’ in Persian meant ‘Sindhu’ (Indus river), leading to its application to the region beyond Indus.
• The Persian suffix ‘stan’ (land) was added to form ‘Hindustan’.

5. India (Ancient to Colonial Era):

• The Greeks transliterated ‘Hind’ as ‘Indus’, establishing ‘India’ as a name for the region.
• Colonial usage solidified ‘India’ as a political and geographical term, signifying the subcontinent under British rule.
• ‘India’ was adopted due to its Graeco-Roman associations, history of use in Europe, and bureaucratic usage such as the Survey of India.

Constitutional Deliberations (1947-1949)

• The Constituent Assembly engaged in heated debates over the nation’s official name.
• Jawaharlal Nehru noted the significance of ‘Hindustan’, ‘Bharat’, and ‘India’.
• Nehru’s book “The Discovery of India” captured the coexistence of these names in the collective consciousness.
• The Constitution retained ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’, reflecting diverse visions of the nation.
• The first Article of the Constitution reads, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of states.”

Fact for Prelims In the ancient Indian text, Vishnu Purana, the name ‘Bharat’ finds mention as the landmass that lies north of the ocean and south of snow mountains. It states: Uttaraṃ yatsamudrasya himādreścaiva dakṣiṇam varṣaṃ tadbhārataṃ nāma bhāratī yatra santatiḥ This shloka means: “The country (Varsam) that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bharatam; there live the descendants of Bharata.

 

Contemporary Reflections

1. Identity and Pride (2023):

• Recent developments suggest a potential change in India’s official name to ‘Republic of Bharat’.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hinted at the change, signaling a reset in India’s central identification.
• Political leaders and citizens expressed opinions on the potential change, invoking sentiments of national pride.

2. Symbolism and Debate:

• The change of name is interpreted as a move to reflect India’s ancient identity and cultural heritage.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh discussed the implications of the change on national identity and opposition alliances.
• Shashi Tharoor, a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighted the significance of both ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’.

3. Constitutional and Historical Context:

• Article 1 of the Indian Constitution declares ‘India, that is Bharat’ as a ‘Union of States’.
• Some leaders emphasized the importance of preserving the brand value associated with the name ‘India’.
• The historical roots of ‘Bharat’ as described in ancient texts and its constitutional adoption were highlighted.

4. ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ Coexistence:

• Both ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ have been used interchangeably, signifying the country’s diverse identity.
• The official names ‘Bharat Ganarajya’ (in Hindi) and ‘Republic of India’ (in English) are present on Indian passports.
• The names reflect the continuity of historical legacy and modern nation-building.

Conclusion

• The journey of India’s names mirrors its complex identity, blending history, culture, and politics.
• As India continues to evolve, its names continue to encapsulate its essence, fostering a deep connection with its past and an ever-evolving future.
• Each name is a testament to India’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and collective consciousness.

Central Idea

• The culmination of Onam festivities witnessed the Pulikkali celebration, a traditional folk art form from Kerala, where humans dressed as tigers and leopards paraded through the streets.

About Pulikkali

• Pulikkali, also known as Tiger Dance, is a unique folk art of Kerala.
• Celebrated on the fourth day of Onam, artists adorn themselves as tigers with distinctive yellow, red, and black stripes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional percussion instruments like thakil, udukku, and chenda.
• The central theme revolves around tiger hunting, with individuals playing the roles of both the tiger and the hunter.
• It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the former ruler of Cochin, Pulikkali reflects a rich cultural heritage.

Onam Festival: Key Highlights

• Onam, the most significant celebration in Kerala, holds great cultural importance.
• Occurring at the onset of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar, it’s a harvest festival celebrating prosperity.
• The Onam Carnival extends for four to ten days, with Atham (first day) and Thiruonam (tenth day) as the most pivotal.
• A popular belief holds that Onam welcomes King Mahabali’s spirit, who is believed to visit Kerala during this period.
• The festival includes Vallamkali, a thrilling snake boat race ‘Vallamkali’ conducted on the Pampa River.
• Onam showcases Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal, graceful dances performed by women, adding elegance to the celebrations.