Queen of Jhansi

"A symbol of bravery and patriotism"

The Great Warrior " Rani Lakshmi Bai "

 On 19 November 1828, a girl was born to a Maratha family at Kashi Varanasi, India at the time of British rule. She was named as "Manikarnika". She lost her mother at the age of four. She was educated at home. Her father raised her like a son. He supported her to learn to ride elephants and horses and also to use weapons effectively.  She grew up with Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope, who were active participants in the first revolt of independence. Her father Moropant Tambey worked at the court of Peshwa Baji Rao II at Bithur and then traveled to the court of Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the King of Jhansi. 

                                   

When Manikarnika was thirteen years old, she was married to Gangadhar Rao. After her marriage, she came to be known as "Queen Lakshmi Bai". In 1851, Rani Lakshmibai gave birth to a son , Damodar Rao but unfortunately this child died when he was about four months old. Her husband the Raja never recovered from his son's death, and he died on 21 November 1853. After this tragedy, she adopted a son. His name was Anand, but was renamed Damodar, after their actual son. During that period, Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General of British India. As per the Hindu tradition, Damodar Rao was their legal heir. However, the British rulers refused to accept him as the legal heir. As per the Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie decided to seize the state of Jhansi. 
Rani Lakshmibai went to a British lawyer and consulted him. Thereafter, she filed an appeal for the hearing of her case in London. But, her plea was rejected. Lord Dalhousie decided to conquer the state of Jhansi as Maharaja Gangadhar Rao had left no legal heir. This misfortune of Jhansi was used by the British to expand there Empire. 

In March 1854, the Rani was given a pension of 60,000 rupees and ordered to leave the palace at the Jhansi fort. Rani Jhansi was determined not to give up Jhansi. She had more independence than most women and even she assembled a volunteer army of rebellions.

After all the British in Jhansi had been killed by mutinous Indian troops in June 1857 the Rani took over the administration provisionally until the British returned. However she had to form an army to defeat the invading forces of Orchha and Datia. The British believed she had been responsible for the earlier British deaths. In March 1858, British forces led by Sir Hugh Rose came to Jhansi to take back the city from the Rani who now wanted independence. Jhansi was besieged and finally taken after strong resistance. Many of the people of the city were killed in the fighting. Along with the young Damodar Rao, the Rani decamped to Kalpi along with her forces where she joined other rebel forces, including those of Tatya Tope. The Rani and Tatya Tope moved on to Gwalior, where the combined rebel forces defeated the army of the Maharaja of Gwalior after his armies deserted to the rebel forces. They then occupied the strategic fort at Gwalior.  However, on 18th June of 1858 the second day of fighting, the great heroine of the first struggle for India freedom, lost her life. Her father, Moropant Tambey, was captured and hanged a few days after the fall of Jhansi. Her adopted son, Damodar Rao, was given a pension by the British Raj and cared for, although he never received his inheritance.

 Owing to her bravery, courage, wisdom, sacrifie and her progressive views on women's empowerment in 19th century India, she became an icon of Indian independence movement. The Rani was memorialized in bronze statues at both Jhansi and Gwalior, both of which portray her on horseback. Rani Lakshmi Bai became a national heroine and was seen as an epitome of female bravery in India. When the Indian National Army created its first female unit, it was named after her.

"No one could guess whether she was Laxmi or Durga devi ( Durga Goddess , also called Bhavani ) or reincarnation of Devi durga,
Her expertise in using a sword made the people of Marathward (Pulkit) wonder,

She came as a good luck to the royal palace of Jhansi and for a log time the palace remained decorated with lighting candles in celebration.
But as days passed the dark clouds of misfortune covered the royal palace.
She stopped wearing bangles for that was the time for a battle.
The queen got widowed and her fate was very unkind to her.
The royal king had no children when he died and the queen was grief stricken.
From the mouths of the Bandelas and the Harbolas (Religious singers of Bandelkhand), we heard the tale of the courage of the Queen of Jhansi relating how gallantly she fought like a man against the British intruders: such was the Queen of Jhansi" - Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
Translated by Qazi Muhammad Ahkam

Eternal love of Meera

This is a story of a princess who dedicated her whole life seeking for love. 

A love between the God and a human.

      

Meera (drawing)

A princess was born in Merta District in the kingdom of Rathod Dynasty in Rajasthan (1557 AD) to Ratan Singh (Father) and Vir Kuvari (Mother). She was named as "Meera", a beautiful princess and the beloved of everyone who came close to her. When she was five years old, a saint came to the palace with a Lord Krishna vigraham (statue). On seeing the vigraham she stopped what she doing and went after him. Saint Ravidas was greeted by the king Ratan singh. Meera went near the saint and asked him to give the vigraham to her. On seeing this, her mother advised her not to do. But the saint gave the Lord Krishna's vigraham to her. He saw the divine love for the Krishna in her eyes. From that day meera only spend her whole time playing, singing and dancing with the krishna's vigraham. Everyone didn't consider about her love for krishna. They thought it was her childishness. 

When she became 13, her love for krishna not a little changed. It became even strong. She had a very beautiful voice and she wrote many poems, songs about Krishna. Her voice echoed all over the India. At the time where everyone has been mesmerized by her songs. It also captivate the king of Mewar, Khumba Rana. He wanted to marry Meera for her pious nature and divine intent. The marriage proposal was sent to the Merta palace. This news delighted everyone in the palace except meera. She told her father about her love and marriage is only with lord Krishna . Those words were unbelievable for him. He said, "You are the princess of Metra and has the responsibility to lead the family's generation. Your love for Lord krishna is not possible.You have to accept the proposal of King Rana or to accept my decision". Everyone in the palace were trembled by the king's words towards Meera. He ordered the servant to present the prepared poisoned milk before Meera. He gave two choice one to marry or to drink the milk. Meera hold to the Krishna's vigraham her thoughts about loving krishna didn't changed. She told to Lord Krishna "All of my heart is filled by you Krishna, nobody can change my love for you and my seeking for love from you will never end". She choose to drink milk and she thought this is the only way to go to Lord Krishna. After she drink the milk, she became unconscious. Divine miracle was happened on that day.The poison didn't affect her instead the vigraham (statue) in her hand turn into blue. Everyone saw the power of her love for Krishna. But this miracle didn't help her to stop the marriage. She thought that Krishna didn't want her to sacrifice her life. In the respect of her father's words she unwillingly accept to marry King Rana.

Meera was married to Rana Kumbha, before she turned 14. She left for (Chittorgarh) Mewar with the Rana Kumbha. KumbhaRana's mother and his sister did not like the ways of Meera, as they were worldly-minded and jealous. Meera requested Rana to allow her to temple to worship Lord Krishna. Rana accepted her request though everyone against it. Rana decided to spend time with Meera alone so he asked her opinion to choose a place. Her choice was always temples of Krishna. Though she was King's wife she only liked to be simple. When she go to temple she only wears brown saree without gold ornaments and use tambura (a musical instrument) to sing. 

Rana's sister formed a conspiracy and began to defame the innocent Meera. She informed Rana that Meera was in secret love with some one, that she witnessed Meera talking to her lover in the temple. These thoughts created hateness in Rana's heart towards Meera. After her household duties were over, Meera would go to the temple of Lord Krishna, worship, sing and dance before Lord Krishna Idol daily. Due to her melodious voice and poetic songs everyone in the kingdom were enchanted. Akbar was one of the great Mughal emperor who was also enemy of Rana's kingdom came to know about Meera's songs. One day Birbal (an adviser of King Akbar) sang Meera's song infront of Akbar which attracts the King. Akbar likes to hear Meera's song himself so he went disguised to the Krishna temple in Rana's kingdom. After heard the song he personally went to meera and gave a pearl chain jewellery as gift. This news was sent to Rana's ear in a negative way that his wife was in relationship with his enemy. He went to temple and shouted at Meera, "Meera, show me your lover with whom you are talking now". Meera replied, "There sits my Lord-Krishna who has stolen my heart". Rana starred at the jewelry that Akbar gave to her was on the Krishna's neck. He became furious. He ordered Meera, "Drown yourself in the river and never show your face to the world in future. You have brought great disgrace on my family". Meera realized the relation with Krishna and the love of God are the only elements that are true and eternal; all other relationships are unreal and temporary. She obeyed the words of Rana and proceeded to the river to drown herself. She sang and danced in ecstasy on her way to the river. When she raised her feet from the ground, a hand from behind grasped her and embraced her. She turned behind and saw her beloved Krishna. She fainted on him. 

After a few minutes she opened her eyes. Lord Krishna smiled and gently whispered: "My dear Meera, your life with your mortal relatives is over now. You are absolutely free. Be cheerful. You are always been mine." Meera walked barefoot on the hot sandy beds of Rajasthan. On her way, many ladies, children and devotees received her with great hospitality. She reached Brindavan (or Vrindaban). It was at Brindavan that she again met and was inspired by Saint Ravidas. She spend her days in brindavan by worshipping Lord Krishna. Atlast she left for Dwarka in Gujarat ( Lord Krishna,  the king of Dwarka). After some years Rana realised his cruelty against Meera by hearing from his surroundinds. He went to search Meera for his forgiveness. By the time he arrived, Meera already went to her love Krishna.

"My Dark One has gone to an alien land.

Lord Krishna

He has left me behind, he's never returned, he's never sent me a single word.

So I've stripped off my ornaments, jewels and adornments, cut my hair from my head.

And put on holy garments, all on his account, seeking him in all four directions.

Meera: unless she meets the Dark One, her Lord, she doesn't even want to live.

After making me fall for you so hard, where are you going?

Until the day I see you, no repose: my life, like a fish washed on shore, flails in agony.

For your sake I'll make myself a yogini, I'll hurl myself to death on the saw of Kashi.

Meera's Lord is the clever Mountain Lifter, and I am his, a slave to his lotus feet"

— Meera , Translated by John Stratton Hawley.

Raja raja cholan - "The King of Kings"

Raja raja cholan was born in Thirukoilur. His true name was "Arulmozhivarman", also called as "Ponniyin Selvan". His parents are Parantaka Sundara Chola and Vanavan Maha Devi was the daughter of Thirukkovilur king. Aditya Karikala was the elder brother and Kundhavai, the elder sister. He is one of the greatest Emperors of India, who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE.

During the lifetime of his father Sundara Chola, Arulmozhivarman had carved a name for himself through his exploits in the battles against the Sinhala and Pandyan armies.He had a number of wives. One daughter of Rajaraja cholan called Rajaraja Kundavai Alvar who he named after his sister. After the death of Aditya II,  Madhuranthaga was declared by Sundara Chola as the heir apparent ahead of Arulmozhivarman.Arulmozhivarman ascended the throne after the death of Madhuranthaga (Uttama Chola).

Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions depicts

"…Though his subjects…entreated Arulmozhi Varman, he…did not desire the kingdom for himself even inwardly "

Mummudi Chola

      Rajaraja's initial campaigns were against the combined Pandya and Chera armies.The first military achievement of Rajaraja’s reign was the campaign in Kerala c. 994 CE. In the war against the Pandyas, Rajaraja seized the Pandya king Amarabhujanga and the Chola general captured the port of Virinam. To commemorate these conquests Rajaraja assumed the title "Mummudi-Chola", (the Chola king who wears three crowns – the Chera, Chola and Pandya).

Conquest of Srilanka

      Rajaraja invaded ancient Sri Lanka in 993 CE. Mahinda V was the king of Sinhalese at that time. In 991 CE,Chola armies occupied the northern half of Lanka and named the dominion ‘Mummudi Chola Mandalam’.Cholas made the city of Polonnaruwa as their capital and renamed it Jananathamangalam. Rajaraja also built a Temple for Siva in Pollonaruwa. RajaRajan's desire to bring the whole Lankan island under Cholan empire was never fulfilled and the southern part of the island (Ruhuna) remained independent.

Rajaraja also expanded his conquests in the north and northwest.

Conquests of Naval regions

      One of the last conquests of Rajaraja was the naval conquest of the ‘old islands of the sea numbering 12,000.The Cholas controlled the area around of Bay of Bengal and turned it to Chola Lake. Nagapattinam on Bay of Bengal was the main port of the Cholas and could have been the navy headquarters. The success of Raja Raja allowed his son Rajendra Chola to expand the Chola empire beyond the Bay of Bengal Sea. Rajendra Chola improved the ships of his father and was the First Indian Ruler to establish the First Indian Naval Fleet some 1200 years back. He had established his rule extending from India up to South East Asia with his Naval Fleet. Rajendra Chola annexed Java, Sumatra, Bali, parts of Malaysia, Brunei islands and demanded tribute from Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.

Brihadeeswarar Temple(Vimana tower), Thanjavur

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Entry), Thanjavur

Thanjavur Temple - A great example of Tamil architecture

       Raja Raja I had his capital at Thanjavur (the rice bowl of Tamilnadu). Rajaraja’s reign is commemorated by the Siva temple in Thanjavur, called the Peruvudaiyar Koyil also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple, Rajarajeswaram and ‘Big Temple', turned 1008 years old in 2018.The temple is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forming part of the Great Living Chola Temples site. Temple was build using granite. One of the interesting feature of this temple is it's shadow never falls on ground at noon. From the 23rd to the 29th year of Rajaraja’s rule his dominions enjoyed peace and the king apparently devoted his energies to the task of internal administration.

References:

 *KAN Sastri, History of South India p 164

 *KAN Sastri, The Colas

 *Chakravarti, Prithwis Chandra (December 1930). "Naval Warfare in ancient India"

Thiruvalluvar- "God of the golden words "

A man who enlightened the world with his indepth golden words. His background was unknown but some articles were published that his birth time was between 4th centuary B.C and 7th centuary B.C but not proved. He was born in Tamilnadu, India. Valluvar was one of the son of Bhagwan (Father) and Adi (Mother) [1]. His wife name was vasuki.

Thirukkural is one of his valuable literary work -2000 years older approximately. It is the world renowned couplets which is translated into many languages. It has total 1330 couplets,133 sections of 10 couplets each. Aram (38 sections) about ethics, Porul (70 sections) about economic and political matters & Inbam (25 sections) about love. All these couplets explain the basic traits of life.

"அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் 
ஆதி பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு"
"A is the first of the alphabet;
God is the primary force of the world"......Aram-Thiruvalluvar

"தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச் 
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு"
"Unfailing crops, exemplary people, and the wealthy
with untarnished and undiminishing wealth, constitute a country"....Porul-Thiruvalluvar

"மன்னுயிர் எல்லாம் துயிற்றி அளித்திரா 
என்னல்லது இல்லை துணை"
"The night which graciously lulls to sleep 
all living creatures, has me alone for her companion"....Inbam-Thiruvalluvar

Valluvar's other works are "Gnana Vettiyan" and "Pancharathnam"[2] which describes the ayurvedic medicine. In the memory of thiruvalluvar a statue was build by tamilnadu government in Kanyakumari beach adjacent to the vivekanada rock memorial. The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet to represent the 133 sections of thirukkural. Another memorial was constructed in chennai as "Valluvar kottam". All 1330 couplets are inscribed on it. People celebrate "Thiruvalluvar day" on january 15th.

Some meaningful incidents that happened in valluvar's life....

Valluvar's wife vasuki was an ideal woman. She never questioned about her husband's actions. One day a poet was came to their home. Valluvar and the poet were eating the cold fermented rice (palaya sadham).Valluvar told the rice was hot and asked his wife to brought hand fan to cool the rice. (How can the fermented rice be hot?).She did and never questioned him.Everyday while eating valluvar kept a needle and a bowl of water near the serving leaf. His wife didn't asked about it. On the last days of her life only she asked about it. He answered "needle was to pick the rice and the water to rinse it if the rice grains fall while you serving. None of the food should be wasted. But till now your serving was good. So I kept this unused". They were a perfect example of husband and wife.

References:
1.Kamil Zvelebil,1973.
2.Ca.Ve Cuppiramaṇiyann,1980.