Subject: History

Central Idea

• The Supreme Court clarified that children born from void or voidable marriages can inherit the parent’s share in a joint Hindu family property governed by Mitakshara law.
• However, the inheritance rights are limited to the parent’s share and do not extend to other family members’ properties.

Mitakshara School of Law

Nature of Marriages and Law

• A voidable marriage is made invalid by the husband or wife through a decree.
• A void marriage is invalid from the beginning.
• Mitakshara Law of Succession applies to Hindu Undivided Families across India, except West Bengal and Assam.

Ruling Details

• The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, clarified that the child from a void or voidable marriage cannot claim rights to other family members’ properties.
• The child’s inheritance rights pertain only to the parent’s share in the ancestral property.
• A “notional partition” is conducted to ascertain the parent’s share immediately before their death.

Inheritance Calculation

• The law assumes a partition of the ancestral property between the deceased parent and other family members before the parent’s death.
• The child’s inheritance is based on the share the parent would have received through this notional partition.

Legal Basis

• Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act grants legitimacy to children born from void or voidable marriages.
• The court held that these children have the right to their parents’ property.
• The intent of granting legitimacy to such children in the Hindu Marriage Act is reflected in the Hindu Succession Act.

Impact of Amendment

• The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, allows a deceased person’s share in a joint Hindu family property to devolve to heirs by testamentary or intestate succession.
• Before the amendment, devolution occurred only through survivorship.
• Equal rights of succession are now granted to women as well as men.

Background and Precedents

• The case was centered on Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act.
• In 2011, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court championed the rights of children born from illegitimate marriages to inherit their parents’ properties.
• The Division Bench emphasized that these children deserve the same rights as those born from valid marriages.

Conclusion

• The concept of legitimacy evolves with changing social norms.
• The court observed that what was considered illegitimate in the past may be legitimate today.
• Children born from void or voidable marriages should not be denied inheritance rights based on evolving social consensus.

Central Idea

• Madras Day celebrated on August 22, commemorates the foundation day of the city of Madras, now known as Chennai.

The Birth of Madras

• 1639: The East India Company (EIC) purchased the town of Madrasapatnam on August 22, 1639, laying the foundation for the modern-day city of Chennai.
• British Presence: The EIC established trading posts and fortified settlements along the eastern and western coasts, leading to the emergence of Madras as a crucial hub.

Transition from Madras to Chennai

• British Rule: The region remained under British rule until India gained independence in 1947, with both the state and city referred to as Madras.
• 1969: The state was officially renamed Tamil Nadu, and in 1996, Madras transformed into Chennai as a nod to its historical roots.

Origins and Significance of Madrasapatnam

• Origins of the Name: The origin of the name “Madras” remains debated, with theories suggesting connections to local fishermen, churches, and the term “pattinam” (town on the coast).
• Pre-British History: Madrasapatnam had a history shaped by various rulers, including the Pallavas and Cholas, before the British arrival.

Purchase and Founding of Madrasapatnam

• Damarla Venkatapathy Nayak: Under his influence, the English were granted a piece of land between the Cooum River and the Egmore River in 1639, where Fort St. George was established.
• Chennapatanam: The city around Fort St. George was named Chennapatanam, honoring Chennappa Nayak, which later inspired the name “Chennai.”

Urban Growth and Development

• Growth of the City: Over the centuries, Chennai evolved from Fort St. George and the Black and White towns into a significant urban center.
• Institutionalization: Under Governor Elihi Yale, a mayor and Corporation were established, and areas like Egmore and Tondiarpet were acquired.

Evolution to Tamil Nadu and Chennai

• Post-Independence Era: After British rule ended, Madras province became Madras State.
• Demand for Change: Various demands to rename the state as Tamil Nadu gained traction, with K P Sankaralinganar’s protest in 1956 being a pivotal moment.
• Name Change: The renaming to Tamil Nadu was approved by Parliament in 1968 and came into effect in 1969.
• Chennai’s Transition: Chennai’s renaming from Madras in 1996 was part of a broader trend to shed colonial influences, though British influence on these names’ evolution cannot be denied.

Continuing Identity

• The transformation of Madras to Chennai is not just a change in nomenclature, but a reflection of the dynamic interplay between historical heritage, regional identity, and post-colonial aspirations.
• The city’s evolution stands as a testament to the diverse threads that weave India’s urban tapestry.

Central Idea

The recent discovery of two sculptures in the Basrur region near Kundapura, Udupi (Karnataka), has brought to light the existence of the ancient Mylara cult in the coastal area.

What is the news?

• A remarkable sculpture, discovered in a well at Basrur, showcases a royal hero seated on a horse, wielding a sword and a bowl in his right and left hands, respectively.
• Notably, this sculpture lacks the depiction of Mylaladevi on the horse’s back.

About Mylara Cult

• Mylara, a revered folk deity, is believed to be a divine incarnation of Lord Shiva.
• Known by various names such as Mailara, Khandoba, Khanderao, and Khandnatha, this deity holds a diverse range of titles that highlight its multifaceted nature.
• Its origins can be traced back to the 12th century Shaivite tradition, associated with the revered Lingayat saint and philosopher Siddharama, aka. Siddharameshwara or Siddhalinga.
• The influence of the Mylara cult spans across the southern regions of India, encompassing Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Historical Significance

• Basrur was a thriving trading hub during the Medieval period, bustling with trading guilds like Uhayadesi and Nanadesi.
• These guilds actively participated in trade, making Basrur a pivotal center for various cults and cultural exchange.
• The Mylara cult, known for its prominence in the Deccan region, flourished in Basrur as well.

Central Idea

• Recent archaeological excavations in Tirunaya near Nagaparamba (Kerala) have brought to light a collection of hemispherical laterite stones known as hat stones or Thoppikkallu in Malayalam.

Nagaparamba Megalithic Treasure

• Thoppikkallu: Hat stones, referred to as Thoppikkallu in Malayalam, served as lids for burial urns during the megalithic era, offering a unique glimpse into burial practices.
• Cultural Insights: The discoveries may provide valuable insights into the life and culture of the ancient inhabitants of the area, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Unraveling the Mystery of Megaliths

• Megalithic Structures: Megaliths were constructed as either burial sites or commemorative memorials, creating a distinctive landscape of archaeological significance.
• Burial Remains: Examples of burial megaliths include dolmenoid cists, cairn circles, and capstones, each with its unique design and purpose.
• Non-Sepulchral Megaliths: Non-burial megaliths, such as menhirs, hold a different purpose and significance.
• Historical Context: The majority of Indian megaliths are attributed to the Iron Age, spanning from 1500 BC to 500 BC.
• Regional Concentration: These intriguing structures are concentrated in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.