Tuesday 24 December 2019
Tuesday 10 December 2019
Third Battle of Panipat:That Changed History of India
Panipat
is 90 Km away from Delhi. Three battles were fought here. Third battle of
Panipat has great significance in the history of sub continent.
This Battle was a colossal defeat for the Marathas, after this battle colonial rule starts in Indian sub-continent. Third battle of Panipat is a core example of foreign invasion.
This Battle was a colossal defeat for the Marathas, after this battle colonial rule starts in Indian sub-continent. Third battle of Panipat is a core example of foreign invasion.
The Third Battle of Panipat was a major battle of Indian history, fought on 14th January 1761.
It was fought between the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the king of Afghanistan along with his local Rohilla and other Pathan and Oudh allies, against the Maratha Empire, which were the main actors to scuttle the Mughal rule and tried to take over the Mughal crown.
It was fought between the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the king of Afghanistan along with his local Rohilla and other Pathan and Oudh allies, against the Maratha Empire, which were the main actors to scuttle the Mughal rule and tried to take over the Mughal crown.
It
was the time in which the glory of Mughal Empire was about to fade away, other
powers in sub-continent were emerging in order to replace the Mughal rulers.
French, British, Sikhs, Marathas and other independent groups were rising to claim the throne which was about to be vacated by Mughals due to their inefficiency and apathetic behavior.
French, British, Sikhs, Marathas and other independent groups were rising to claim the throne which was about to be vacated by Mughals due to their inefficiency and apathetic behavior.
Ahmed shah Abdali invaded India many
times. Ahmed Shah invaded Punjab for the first time in January 1748 then in
1750, 1751, 1753, 1756, 1757, 1758, and 1759. The third battle of Panipat
starts when Ahmed Shah Abdali invades India in 1759. Afghan army enters India
in 1759 in Karnal without any apparent resistance by this time Marathas had
captured Delhi.
But
when Afghan forces gradually started to approach towards center, skirmishes
started between Maratha and Afghan forces.
This
was the time when both forces started making allies and partners and perceived
war as a final and inevitable solution in the shape of Panipat battle. Sikhs,
Jatts, Rajputs, and Nawabs of Oudh, Bengal, Mysore, etc were tried to win over
by both the sides.
Since
Marathas had strained relations with almost all other groups so it helped them
very little in this regard, whereas, Ahmad Shah won support of Shuja-uddin-
Duala, Rajputs, and Jatts.
The
main factor which strengthened Afghans was the support of Muslim rulers such as
Najib-ud-Daulah and Shuja-ud-Daulah. In 1760 Afghan forces marched to Shahdara
near Delhi river Jamuna divides both armies on each side.
Marathan army was
led by Sadashiv Rao cousin of Marathan Peshwa Balaji Bhaji Rao on the other
hand Afghan army was led by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Ahmad Shah Abdali |
The
course of battle starts on 27th March 1760 when Marathan army begins its
advance from Deccan to reach Delhi and in October they reached Delhi.
This was the time when small conflicts occurred between them. On 23rd, 24th October Afghans crossed Jumna River and reached Bhagpat. On 26th October Afghans drove Marathan forces to Panipat ground.
This was the time when small conflicts occurred between them. On 23rd, 24th October Afghans crossed Jumna River and reached Bhagpat. On 26th October Afghans drove Marathan forces to Panipat ground.
Ahmad
Shah Abdali took his position 5 miles south to Jumna River and created a complete
blockade of Marathan camps. Skirmishes continued till November.
Ahmad did not make any advance on Marathan forces albeit it was continuously advised by his allies to finish of the enemy.
Ahmad did not make any advance on Marathan forces albeit it was continuously advised by his allies to finish of the enemy.
Marathas wanted to make settlement with
Afghans but allies did not accept their proposal.Due to the failure of
negotiations it made Marathas desperate and they launched a sudden offensive
upon Afghan forces on 6th January 1761.
It
was the day when conclusion of this battle was drawn; Ahmad Shah Abdali kept his
nerves and composure and handled this sudden attack professionally.
Initially Marathan forces got edge due to their surprising attack and movement but very quickly Afghan army led by French trained general Gardi was able to overpower them.
Initially Marathan forces got edge due to their surprising attack and movement but very quickly Afghan army led by French trained general Gardi was able to overpower them.
Sadashiv Rao was killed and Marathas faced a complete defeat by
Afghan invaders, which paralyzed Marathan power for next 10 years.
This, Third battle of Panipat was victory of invaders. Defeat of Marathas cleared the way for later British supremacy
and fall of Moghul Empire,that changed history of India
Note:---This
blog and photos are based on various sources available on net,and taken with
thanks.
The End
Thursday 5 December 2019
Life in Web of Likes: Obsession on Social Media
A 'like' has the power to change our entire
mood? Why do we get So obsessed with 'Likes' on
Social Media?
Now like is not only a simple word,it
relates our social status.In this era of social media, we are obsessed for a
likes.Our social status depends that how many likes we are getting on the posts
and selfies at facebook,twitter, or Instagram.
This is obsession to count comments and
likes on social media.Some of them feel depression over less likes,and loose
self confidence. This
chasing of likes and comments attitude are because,we have less time for off-line
activities
People
honestly believe that their popularity and self worth all stem from the count of
likes that they receive on their selfie and posts. Before social media, our sweet memories were
silently stored in album.
Remember: all that
glitters is not gold
Note---The photos in
this blog are taken with thanks from various sites on internet
I believe that many of us are wasting
precious energy of life online and as a result forgetting to nurture our real,
off-line life.
Some people are so obsessed With 'Likes' on
Social Media, that they purchase Apps to get more likes and followers.
Very rarely, you will see people sharing or
discussing their low phases of life in social media. So in social media, only
one side of the story is shown. Which is not a good message for someone who is
going through a low phase in life?
Social media is spoiling relationships and
life. Everyone has problems in their life but no one writes about it in the
social networking sites. if you check your facebook profile, then you will end
up believing that the whole world is celebrating and is very happy and
prosperous. but that is not the case in reality. its a wrong projection and
many people in the world are feeling emotionally low by spending time in such
sites.
The
silver line attitude for obsession on likes in social media
I am ending with a note to get rid of this obsession
of getting more likes and notes on virtual on-line life.Try to be liked by your
family members, friends and neighbours of your real off-line life.
To know that what we like and think and
believe is enough and that no need of a mouse click to validate that.
Your worth is not measured in likes,
comments, notes or followers; but in your ability to love, keep comments to
yourself. It’s important to be
comfortable in our own thoughts and feelings.
The End
Friday 22 November 2019
Travelogue of Jaisalmer: An Oasis in Thar Desert
The finely
sculptured monuments in Jaiselmer city have successfully retained all
its glory, cultural diversity, vibrant glory and the richness of a bygone era.
Be it the camel safaris, the ascetic beauty of the surrounding, the city
reflects the timeless beauty of a legacy left behind by the rulers.At the end of your tour
of Jaiselmer,you will realize that;Jaiselmer is an Osis in Thar Desert.
Railway Station of Jaisalmer
A number of birds belonging to rare species
that make a stop over this place to have a few drinks out of these sparkling
clean waters of the lake. Here I spent most memorable few hours of my life and
clicked few most beautiful clicks from camera.
The
chhatris appear to sprout from the very rocks they are built on and since they
are the same color as the landscape around them, also appear like a mirage.
Railway Station of Jaisalmer
At
about 11.15 P.M, train entered in station of Jaisalmer. It was a desolate
station of Jaisalmer .no porter to lift and carry our luggage.Retiring room of
Jaiselmer was on first floor. Any how we lifted luggage and kept in our
rooms.We were were hungry.
Jaiselmer Fort-(Sonar Quila) |
Again
surprised to see that Jaiselmer station has only a small tea stall without food
items, only tea biscuits and bread. This tea stall opens only at arrival and
departure time of a train.No option so we took tea and bread as dinner.
Retiring
room was well maintained, after a shower I laid down upon my bed to sleep.Next
morning after refreshing we came down stairs to tea stall for breakfast.It was
about 9A.M. There were few local groups of men and women ,searing colorful
costumes ,were sitting on floor of platform.They seemed me as banjara tribes.
History of Jaisalmer
The name
of Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert Jaisalmer is a beautiful city near the Thar Desert. The border to Pakistan is
100 kilometers away:
The city
was established in the 12th century (year 1156 AD) and gets its name from its
founder Maha Rawal Jaisal who founded it.
According
to the local legend, Rawal Jaisal, the eldest son of the Rawal of Deoraj, was
passed over for the throne of Ludharva (15 kms from Jaisalmer) by his younger half-brother
after which he went on a search for a safe location to establish his capital.
He came
across the massive rock that rose almost 250 feet from the surrounding desert
sands. Rawal Jai singh constructed here a mud fort around the rock and named it Jaisalmer
after himself.
Over the
year the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside
influence and even during the days of the Raj, Jaisalmer was the last to sign
the Instrument of Agreement with the British.
Gadesar Lake of Jaisalmer, in deep Thar desert.
This
Lake in the city of Jaisalmer is one of the primary tourist attractions of the
region. A view of this beautiful lake freshens up the mind and soul of the
travelers. In the bone melting heat of
Jaisalmer desert it is hard to imagine a peaceful pond with temples, shrines,
ghats, trees such as Gadisar Lake.
Gadesar Lake-Jaiselmer |
This
lake was built in 1400 A D by Maharwal Gadsi Singh in the middle of desert, the
lone water resource for the city of Jaisalmer before modern water pipelines
arrived.
Gadesar Lake-Jaiselmer |
Bada Bagh
After
visiting Gadesar Lake, We hired a taxi for Bada Bagh, situated atop a hill,
6K.m away from the desert city of Jaisalmer; travelers will find a romancing
calm setting of this place. I find it
difficult to narrate the quiet isolation beauty mixed with a romancing
experience of Bada Bagh
Bada Bagh-Jaiselmer |
The towering windmills in the distance only add to the fantastic
photo-ops the area has to offer and I find it rather tough to put my camera
away. Giant wind turbines hum in unison interspersed around the domed roofs
shading the sandstone and marble markers.
After
a beautiful mesmerizing trip to Bada Bagh, we decided to back in city market
for lunch. There were dozen hotels around Gandhi Chowk area of Jaisalmer.We
entered in a hotel, ordered thali meals, Gatte ki sabzi, kadhi, curd and desi
ghee soaked chapattis with pickles and sweet. It was a delicious but heavy
meal for us due to Desi ghee.
Around
market, I clicked some local and road side views. I found people of Jaisalmer a
friendly to camera, they liked to be clicked.
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Fort)
The
first view of the Jaisalmer Fort(it is popular by name of Sonar fort or Sonar Quila) was a sight I will remember till my last days;
a massive fort built in yellow sand-stone rising out of the flatland “like a
mirage in the desert”, its ramparts glowing in shades of gold in the rays of
the morning sun, Sonar Fort is a spectacle in every sense.
We were walking on roads, lanes and by lanes inside fort .It is Interesting that local families were living inside houses on both side .They were doing their domestic works as we passed through.
Ladies were cooking food, children were playing. Some of them have converted their one living room or verandas as handicraft shops.
At one place inside fort, we saw marketing area, selling sweets, fruits, antique items.Some local were maintaining live painting studio in their houses.
I was amused to see bhang shops (a mild preparation of marijuana) inside fort area. On that bhang shops many foreigners were sitting in opane of bhang .This area was a gift for photography.
Guide
told us a story of this place as:--when the Patwas were struggling to set up
their trade and business. On the advice of a priest at the Jain Temple, the
patwa brothers left Jaisalmer with the intention of never returning (they were
advised by the priest that their business could not flourish in Jaisalmer).
The legend has it that the patwas were immensely successful thereafter and their business spanned across banking & finance, silver, brocade and opium trade.
The
houses are built in the same architectural style that merges with the old
structure of the fort. Even the houses outside the fort are built mostly with
sand stones with the same distinctive Rajasthani architecture that transported
us to an altogether different period of time.
There
are temples where conch still blows every morning as it did 500 hundred year
ago, homes and havelis where people go on with their lives as they have been
doing for centuries.It
is this liveliness apart from its ethereal beauty, which makes the Golden Fort.We were walking on roads, lanes and by lanes inside fort .It is Interesting that local families were living inside houses on both side .They were doing their domestic works as we passed through.
Ladies were cooking food, children were playing. Some of them have converted their one living room or verandas as handicraft shops.
At one place inside fort, we saw marketing area, selling sweets, fruits, antique items.Some local were maintaining live painting studio in their houses.
I was amused to see bhang shops (a mild preparation of marijuana) inside fort area. On that bhang shops many foreigners were sitting in opane of bhang .This area was a gift for photography.
Kothari’s Patwa Haveli
Out
of Jaisalmer Fort, we found my self in market court having restaurants full of
sweets and rajasthani food stuffs.Tired hungry and thirsty; entered in a one of
them. Treated us with hot kachauries, sweets and malai qulfi .After recharging full with fresh energy,we moved towards Kothari’s Patwa Haveli.
Kothari's Patwa Haweli-Jaiselmer |
The legend has it that the patwas were immensely successful thereafter and their business spanned across banking & finance, silver, brocade and opium trade.
Eventually, patwas rose to such heights
that they were called upon to finance the state deficit. This brought the clan
back to their old habitat. The then head of the family, Ghuman Chand Patwa,
decided to gift each of his five sons a separate and elaborate mansion,
ignoring the advice of the priest. Thus came up the five grandiose havelis
facing the Jailsamer Fort.
Unfortunately, the lives of the patwas took a ‘u’ turn after
their return to Jaisalmer and their fortunes started dwindling. Consequently,
they had to abandon the city-state again, leaving the havelis at the mercy of
care takers. The care takers became the owners in the course of time and
decided to put the havelis up for sale.
You
will notice individual depictions and theme on each and every arch. Although
the whole building is made yellow sandstone, the main gateway of the Patwon Ji
ki Haveli is in brown color.
I came out of the
haveli complex completely mesmerized, with memories in my canon camera, my best
companion. Returned back in retiring room for rest.
The End
Sunday 17 November 2019
A Desert Safari of Sam Sand Duens in Jaiselmer.
Journey
of Jaisalmer is incomplete without a Sam Sand Duens. A rare desert area which lies just in the
edge of Jaisalmer Desert National Park and is also rated as top 10 must see
tourist destinations in Rajasthan
The roads stretched
wide open across the barren landscape with very little traffic and the tarmac
was smooth as butter. It seemed like we were merely cruising at 80 kms/hr
After completing necessary formalities, we kept luggage in allotted cottages, A Commander Jeep
was ready to take us in side deep of Thar Desert.It was an exciting and
adventurous ride for me.
After a brief stay of about
20 mts, jeep driver called us to return back.On our return, Bablu Bhai,
arranged a camel cart for a Sam Sand Dunes ride on other side of road.Now it was
around 6.15PM. To be on the sand dunes of a desert is an experience to be
remembered.
We planned to spend
an evening and night for a desert safari.Hired Taxi was in wait out side
station.We had already decided to reach in desert before Sun sets.
The whirling wind
mills on both side of road were presenting a unique scene. I was sitting on
front seat by the side of driver, clicking the moments going in the past
memories.
It was the best ride
of my life.After going for around 50 km.Perhaps it was one of the same evening
for which lyric is:
Ye Shaam
mastani madhosh kiye jaye
After
45 mts. ride taxi stopped on a camping site along road side.On other side of
road there was a stretch of un-ending desert. We entered in camping area. Bablu Bhai,
the Manager of “Camel Safari Dunes Camp Sam Resort”, opposite Sam Sand Dunes,
welcomed us.
There
were available dozens Swiss tents and cottages of varying cost.For smart
travellors ,it is very special to bargain over cost at every stage.We too
bargained , got A/C cottages @1600/= per person.
It
included, welcome cold drinks-snacks, desert safari on jeep, camel ride,
cultural programs, dinner, night satay and break fast. It is important to hire
a taxi to stay in night and return you back; otherwise it will be difficult to
get any vehicle for return from Sam Sand Dunes.
A Jeep Safari in Sam Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer
The jeep was running
fast, some it times it appeared as riding up on hill suddenly riding down hill,
we gripped tight seats.
At one point in
desert driver make the jeep in a circular dancing motion, experience to be
remembered for ever.
After
few mts of ride jeep stopped and we left down.OMG-before me was an ocean of
desert. I was standing on sand.Till then I had seen deserts in films only. For
miles in front of us, all we could see were sand dunes of various shapes and
heights, some as high as a skyscraper.
There were many other groups of travelers enjoying at that point of desert.A local female dancer was singing and dancing in a typical Rajasthani style.She gave my camera some amazing clicks in dancing. In return I paid her Rs 100/=
A Camel
Cart Ride in Sam Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer
The sun
was nearing the horizon now and we were to witness the famed sunset of the
desert. As the skies started taking the different hues of orange and red, the
spectacle were every bit worthy of their fame.
The strangest
phenomenon was the silence of the desert. There was no man-made noise, no birds
chirping, no animals in sigh, not even a breeze rustling through leaves, for
there were no trees. If one stood still, one could feel silence in its absolute
magnitude.
When you are in the
middle of so much peace, it feels criminal to disturb the tranquility; and so
even we came down to whispers among ourselves.
Camel cart boys told us
that name of camel driving cart is Slaman Khan.In that quite isolated moments
in desert; my camera was fully loaded with those moments to refresh my memory
lane.
A
Cultural evening in Resort
At entrance resort
management welcomed us by putting a colored teeka on our forehead, a bouquet
of flowers.We took our seats, at place of cultural programme .The programme
started with traditional welcome lyric of:
Kesariya
balam aaoni
Padharoni
mare des rey, padharoni mare des
Kesariya
balam aaoni, padharoni mare des
After
this song, other Rajasthani folk songs and dances were performed by artists.
During this programme, all guests were offered tea with spicy fresh hot
snacks.This programme continued about 1.30 hours.
Dinner was ready at
the end of show. After dinner I went out the resort campus to have a look of
desert in silence of night. The night was relatively calmer a pin drop silence.
I lay down on sand
quietly gazing at the stars. In my entire life, I have never seen a sky so
brightly lit with countless stars.I craned my head backwards and could not see
a single area which wasn’t covered with twinkling white dots.Amidst the star
dotted sky I saw two shooting stars.
Second
Day
After
break fast, we found that our hired taxi driver was standing on the gate of
resort.WE took our luggage and back to jaisalmer. He dropped us at railway
station of Jaisalmer, where we were staying in retiring room.
The End
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