Category History

The story behind Varanasi’s Shivala Ghat

Shivala Ghat is one of the historically significant riverfront steps along the Ganga in Varanasi. Located south of the more crowded central ghats, this ghat is known for its calm stretch of river, old temples, and palatial structures built by…

How Kos Minars guided travelers in Medieval India

Kos Minars are medieval milestones that once dotted the highways of northern India. The name combines “kos,” a traditional unit of distance (2 miles or roughly 3.22 kilometers), with “minar,” meaning tower or pillar. These solid brick-and-lime structures were first…

The story behind “diaspora”

The word “diaspora” refers to people living outside their ancestral or native land, and the communities formed by such people. It also describes the scattering or movement of a population from its original homeland, often through migration, exile, or displacement. The word comes from…

What makes the Kailasa Temple at Ellora unique

The Kailasa Temple at Ellora in Maharashtra is one of the most extraordinary achievements of ancient Indian architecture. Designated as Cave 16 within the Ellora complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this massive rock-cut shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva.…

Why Pondur Khadi owes its texture to a fish bone

Pondur, a small town in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, is renowed for its centuries-old tradition of producing khadi of exceptional quality. This handspun, handwoven fabric has earned admiration from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, poet C. Narayana Reddy, and actor Akkineni…