History Under Your Feet

Sam Manekshaw, aka Sam Bahadur, first Indian army officer to become Field Marshal, who led the Army to it’s greatest moment of triumph in 1971 as Chief of Army Staff.

Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, aka K.M.Munshi, freedom fighter, founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, as well as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A lawyer by profession, he was also one of the foremost writers in Gujarati. And presided over the surrender of the Nizam post Operation Polo.

Birsa Munda in Jharkhand, the only tribal leader whose portrait hangs in Parliament Central Hall and whose Jayanti is celebrated as Jharkhand Day too.

Lachit Borphukan, who would rise to become one of the greatest heroes of Assam, and one of the symbols of resistance to the the Mughal rule. When one writes of the history of resistance to the Mughals, Lachit Borphukan’s name would be there right up with Shivaji and Rana Pratap.

One of the biggest advances in the field of molecular biophysics, has been the discovery of the triple hellical structure of collagen, that enabled a better understanding of the peptide structure.The Ramachandran plot has become a standard description of protein structures in the text books. And the man behind this discovery,  G.N. Ramachandran or GNR as he was known, one of the great Indian scientists of modern era, who was an equally good Vedic scholar, studied the Upanishads in depth and interpreted their teachings.

Komaram Bheem led an intense uprising against both the British and the Nizam rule, in the forests of North Telangana, and gave the slogan of Jal, Jangal, Zameen.

Typically when we speak of Mewar, it usually ends with Rana Pratap and the Battle of Haldighati.  Not much is really known about his succesors, nor his son Amar Singh.  While Pratap’s rivalry with Akbar is well known and chronicled, not known is the fact that his son Amar Singh fought an equally long war with Jahangir, before he was forced to surrender.

Tatya Tope one of the greats of the 1857 Revolt, who waged a long guerilla war against the British even after the Revolt was crushed. A man who had no formal military training, but was considered one of the finest rebel generals.

One of the great Maratha rulers, who established the Scindias as a powerful ruling kingdom in Central India, made Gwalior the capital.

Satish Dhawan, the 3rd chairman of ISRO, who shaped it’s organizational structure and put in a fine process in place. The father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India, one of the eminent researchers in the field of turbulence.

Shyamji Krishna Varma, one of the most brilliant minds of the modern era, a selfless patriot, who gave his everything for the nation’s freedom. He was deeply influenced by the views of Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s teachings, as well as that of Herbert Spencer.

 “I am just an ordinary man and not a very bright man.” While we celebrate October 2 as Gandhi Jayanti  not many are aware that is the Jayanti of another great soul Lal Bahadur Shastri born on the same date, who never really got his due.

Jatindranath Mukherjee, also known as Bagha Jatin, after he killed a tiger with his bare hands, one of the greatest revolutionaries ever.

Valiappan Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai, or more popularly known as V.O.C.  He was also called as Kapalottiya Tamizhan( The Tamil Helsman), one of the foremost freedom fighters of Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Kesari,Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu,  one of the great freedom fighters from Andhra Pradesh, and also the first Chief Minister of the newly created Andhra State.  

Madan Lal Dhingra, close associate of Veer Savarkar, assasinated Curzon Wylie in London.

Madame Bhikaji Cama, revolutionary leader, close associate of Veer Savarkar, designed of the early versions of the Indian flag.

August 10, 1741- Battle of Kolachel, when  the Dutch were defeated by Marthanda Varma, ruler of Travancore,

Khudiram Bose, one of the youngest martyrs in the struggle for freedom, who sacrified his life for the country at the age of 18 years. 

August 9, 1925, the  Kakori Conspiracy or the Kakori Train Robbery an important chapter in the revolutionary struggle.

If one were to compile a history of medicine, in the world, the name of  Dr.Subbarow, would be standing right up there along with other greats like Alexander Fleming,  Ronald Ross.

Kamaraj also called as Kalvi Thanthi( Father of Education), 3 time CM of Tamil Nadu, played a crucial role in the establishment of two Prime Ministers- Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi earning him the ephithet of “King Maker”.

Veer Hammir founded the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar and began the reign of the Ranas.

Havaldar Abdul Hamid and the epic battle of Asal Uttar during the 1965 War. One of the largest tank battles fought post World War II, after the Battle of Kursk, it was a turning point in the 1965 War, gave a huge blow to Pakistani ambitions.

. A man who was a terror to Mughals, a hero they called Banda Singh Bahadur.

Khub lade mardani, woh hai Jhansi wali Rani A woman whose name has come to symbolize courage, independence and honor. A legend in her lifetime, Manikarnika,  better known as the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmibai.

One of the most famous schools of mathematics and astronomy in India was the Kerala school of maths and astronomy, founded by Madhava of Sangamagrama during the 14th century. One of the foremost mathematicians and astronomers of this school was Nilakantha Somajayi, known for his astronomical treatise Tantrasamgraha and a commentary on Aryabhatta.

Andhra Ratna Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya, the first ever Telugu person to become the secretary of All India Congress Committee, who did his post graduation in economics from the University of Edinburgh. A polyglot fluent in English, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, a brilliant writer known for his extempore verse composition,who set up the  Andhra Vidya Peetha Gosthi, a literary society.

Veer Kunwar Singh. A man who at 80 years of age, was the oldest warrior of the 1857 revolt, in a league that included such greats like Rani of Jhansi, Rao Tula Ram, Nana Saheb and Tantiya Tope.

Dhondo  Keshav Karve, also known affectionately as Annasaheb. For the 100 odd years of his life on earth, he lit the lamps in the lives of many a child widow, and women, fought for their emancipation.

Kandukuri Veeresalingam, often regarded as  the father of Modern Andhra Pradesh,  social reformer, activist, writer, the quintessential Renaissance man.

Jallianwala Bagh,a name that evokes painful memories in our history, a reminder of the brutality of the British rule. 1500 massacred here on April 13,1919 on the orders Gen Reginald Dyer, on a Baisakhi Day.

Rani  Tarabai Bhonsle the daughter in law of Chattrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, who took over the Maratha Empire at a critical juncture, fought back Aurangzeb, and saved the Empire from destruction. T

Lala Hardayal, the man who co founded the Ghadar Party in US, along with Sohan Singh Bhakna. A legend among revolutionaries, one of the key members of India House in London along with Shyamji Krishna Varma, Veer Savarkar and Madame Bhikaji Cama.

The first in a series on Mewar, where I look at the region's history, it's backdrop, and Bappa Rawal

Kanneganti Hanumanthu, was famous for the Pullari Satyagraha, against the draconian tax imposed by the British on the peasants for grazing their cattle or gathering wood in the forests of Palnadu.

Uyyalavada Narasimha Reddy, born in Rupanagudi  and grew up in Uyyalavada, had around 66 villages under his control in Bellary, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool districts, and was a patron of arts and literature. One of the heroes of the Polygar Wars against the British.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar one of the greatest Indian scientists of the modern era, who was an equally good writer. To most Indians, his name would be familiar with CSIR, that he founded as well as the awards given out in his name to aspiring scientists.  Yet not many know that he was also an equally good Urdu poet under the name of Seemab, and composed the Kulgeet for Benaras Hindu University in Sanskrit.

The brave queen of Kittur, who took on the British.

Vasudev Balwant Phadke, often called as the father of the Indian armed revolt, an inspiration to many a revolutionary. He was an inspiration for Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s landmark novel Anand Math, which incorporated many references from his life. A Chitpavan Brahmin from Konkan, who rallied the lower peasant castes like Dhangars, Kolis, Bhils as well as warrior communities like Ramoshis against British rule.

On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami and Saraswathi Puja, I take a look at it's significance.

Peshwa Madhav Rao, the youngest of the Peshwas who bought the Maratha empire back to it's glory after the Panipat debacle.

Telanga Kharia from the Kharia tribe in Jharkhand who led an intense uprising against the British in Gumla. 

Tilka Manjhi tribal leader who led a major uprising against the British in and around Bhagalpur.

Vikram Sarabhai,  the father of India’s space program, regarded as one of the greatest scientists of modern India. And who also made a signficant contribution to the nuclear program.

Shivaji Maharaj routs the Adil Shahi forces once again at the Battle of Kolhapur in 1659, as their commander Rustom Zaman flees the battlefield. This victory would make Aurangzeb take notice of him.

Lance Naik Albert Ekka, the man who saved Agartala during the 1971  War, PVC recipient for his sheer courage under fire during the capture of Gangasagar, one of Jharkhand's most famous icons.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, founder of Benares Hindu University, educationist, thinker, freedom fighter, social reformer, a truly great soul or Mahamana as he was called.

Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the greatest mathematicians of  the modern era. A genius, and a true maverick.

Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh are hanged to death on this date for ther involvement in the Kakori Conspiracy.

The commander of the Maratha Army at the 3rd Battle of Panipat, a hero often judged harshly for that one failure.

Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it. Lokamanya #BalGangadharTilak a personality to whom words would do no justice. An inspiration for many revolutionaries. The father of the Indian unrest.

The man who designed the Indian national flag. Also a geologist and agriculturist.

The father of modern Indian Chemistry, the first Indian to set up a pharma company, and a pioneer of modern chemical industries in India. But Ray was more than just a mere chemist, he worked actively in the fields of education. One of the greatest Indian scientists of modern era.

Dheeran Chinnamalai, a rather forgotten hero, of the Polygar Wars in the Kongu region. My tribute to him on this date when he was hanged by the British at Sankaragiri Fort, in 1805.

The battle of Paavan Khind, India's own Thermopayle, noted for the bravery of Baaji Prabhu Deshpande and his heroic last man stand.

A look at Maharaja Ranjit Singh's early life and his capture of Lahore, that would lay the foundation of the Sikh Empire.

Typically the 1857 Revolt, is often seen as the first large scale armed revolt against the British rule, and is often the most discussed one too. But around 50 years before this, there was an equally bloody revolt on July 10, 1806 by Indian sepoys in Vellore.

Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee died a martyr for the cause of India, for demanding, that no indepdendent sovereign nation could have more than one PM or more than one constitution. This was a man who stood up for individual rights, demanded a Uniform Civil Code and built up Kolkata University to what it is today. A thinker, an academician, a freedom fighter, a scholar, Dr.  Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was a true giant, a colossus whose contribution has been forgotten sadly by modern India.

Alluri Sitarama Raju emerged to fight for the tribal rights in Agency, and mobilize them for an armed revolution. At a very young age,he managed to foment an armed uprising with limited resources and motivating the poor, illiterate tribal against the mighty British empire.

The brave Gond queen who refused to surrender to Emperor Akbar, and took on him in the battlefield.

The assasination of Rand by the Chapekar Brothers in Pune, on June 22, 1897 ignited the revolutionary struggle in Maharashtra.

One of the greatest revolutionaries of India, the mastermind behind the Kakori Conspiracy, man who popularized the lines Sarfarosh Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein.

Ahilyabai Holkar, the daughter in law of Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar kingdom. Widowed at a young age, took over as queen, she takes her place in history among other great queens like Catherine II of Russia, Elizabeth I of England and Margaret I of Denmark. Known for her wisdom and administrative ability she rebuilt many Hindu temples, offered facilities for pilgrims, and built a new capital at Maheswar on the banks of the Narmada.

My tribute to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, aka Veer Savarkar, writer, thinker, freedom fighter, activist, intellectual. One of the greatest Indians ever of the modern era.

The greatest of the Rajputs.  The lone Rajput ruler who never surrendered to Emperor Akbar.  The legend,  Maharana Pratap.

Firebrand revolutionary, close associate of Master Da Surya Sen, who took part in the Chittagong Raid.

History is a chronicle of struggles for the sake of power, but in that there have been people who fought not just for power, but also for freedom. And such men and women have been immortalized as bravehearts. In Medieval India, Veer Chhatrasal stands along side with Chatrapati Shivaji and Maharana Pratap, as one of the bravest fighters for freedom from the Muslim rule, a man who fought for freedom till the end of his life. Chhatrasal not only established an independent state in Bundelkhand, he was also a patron of fine arts, and a good writer himself. Of the 82 years he lived, Chhatrasal fought 52 battles during his 44 year old reign. From the Narmada to Yamuna, from Chambal to Tons, Chhatrasal’s writ ran supreme.

One of the greatest warriors ever in India History, who expanded the Maratha Empire beyond the Deccan to the North. A man whom Field Marshal Bernard Montogomery rated on par with the great US Civil War General William Sherman,in his book A History of Warfare. 

Review and rate the podcst at this link. https://ratethispodcast.com/historyunderurfeet Siachen, which ironically  means “Rose Garden” in local Balti language, located in Eastern Karakoram, it is 75 km long, and is the highest battlefield in the world. The 110 KM line beyond NJ9842 is called the Actual Position Ground Line. One of the most important military operations was Operation Meghdoot in 1984, to secure the glacier.

Often called the second founder of the Maratha State, Balaji Vishwanath was the one who made the Peshwa all powerful, from a mere Prime Minister to the main power center.  As well as ensuring the hold of the Chitpavan Brahmins over the position, primarily from Konkan. He was one of the shrewdest brains in the Maratha Empire, a man who guided it during the difficult times of the civil war, and more importantly began the process of the downfall of Mughals, reducing them to a nominal power.He also laid the foundation for the Maratha Administrative system, as well as their tax collection system, that would hold on for long, till it’s end. And the father of the legendary Baji Rao.

Kodendara Subbayya Thimayya, nicknamed as Timmy, served as Chief of Army Staff from 1957-61 in the years leading up to the war with China. The only Indian to command an infantry brigade during World War II, and dealt with the repatriation of POWs as head of an UN after the Korean War.Known for his quick wit, fiery temper, a no nonsense attitude, and an independent stance, Thimayya became a legend within military circles. He was also the first to point out the threat from China to Nehru, that was predictably ignored.

Bhagat Singh, a man who was an icon of sorts in the revolutionary spectrum of India’s freedom movement. A man who smilingly went to the gallows, whose only purpose in throwing the bomb was to make the deaf hear. A young man, who did not fear death, and for whom violence was only a last resort to make people take up notice. Books have been written about him, movies have been made on his life,  and to many an idealist, he has been an aspirational figure.

Masterda Surya Sen. The Bengali revolutionary, who shook the British like none else before. He was the one who led one of the largest ever raids on the British at Chittagong, attacking their armory, cantonment, the exclusive Europeans only club there and the telegraph office there. Never had the British witnessed such a massive assault on their institutions, in such a coordinated manner.  Though the raid was suppressed and it’s perpetrators arrested, the message it had sent out to Indians was clear, take up the arms against the British rule.

Lal Qile se aaee awaaz, Sehgal Dhillon Shahnawaz Teenon ki ho Umar Daraaz Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, one of Netaji's close associates. One of the 3 tried in Red Fort, along with Captain Shah Nawaz Khan and Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal.  Another forgotten hero who deserves his due.

If only I have eleven more followers like Sriramulu I will win freedom  in a year.- Mahatma Gandhi The selfless freedom fighter, whose fast unto death resulted in the creation of a separate Andhra State, in 1953,  the first ever state to be formed on linguistic basis. A truly great soul, Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu.

Malhar Rao Holkar, founder of the Holkar kingdom of Indore, one of the great Marathas, close confidante of Baji Rao, who took part with him in many campaigns. Built up Indore into a great city.

Chattrapathi Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Shivaji Maharaj,a hero who has not got his due unfortunately. A true Chhava( Lion Cub), who refused to surrender and convert to Islam, and was brutally tortured to death by Aurangzeb. A hero who made the supreme sacrifice for cause of Hindu Dharma.

Bijayananda Patnaik, more popularly known as Biju Patnaik, also called the Utkala Shanda, “The Bull of Utkala”, for his stubborn, never say die attitude. What does one make of a man who flew a daring sortie into Dutch occupied Indonesia and sneaked away their Prime Minister?  Or made equally daring sorties into Kashmir during the first India Pakistan war in 1947?  Or a man who set up industries all over Odisha? Biju Patnaik was not just a political leader, he was also an aeronautical engineer, a fighter pilot, an industrialist and fought for freedom too. He was a true nationalist, and yet the interests of his beloved Odisha, always were close to his heart. A man of unimpeachable integrity,  and a visionary, that was Biju Patnaik.

My tribute to one of the greatest Indian revolutionaries ever. A legend in his own right. Chandrashekhar Azad.

Swami Shradddhananda, Arya Samaj leader, nationalist, thinker, the original Ghar Wapsi proponent,fiercely independent thinker, social reformer, who saw the dangers of Islamism much earlier. My tribute to a great soul on his Jayanti, do check out and share

Royal Naval Ratings Mutiny, or what is often called the forgotten mutiny in India’s history, an event which unlike the 1857 mutiny or the Quit India movement, does not really strike much resonance, except among hard core historians. Or Leftists, since they were the only ones to have backed this whole heartedly.  My take on the historic event.

One of the greatest victories ever in Maratha History, when they captured the fort from the Portuguese in 1739, after a 4 month long campaign between February and May. Led by Chimaji Appa and Malhar Rao Holkar.

Meghnad Saha, who came up with the theory of thermal ionization. One of the most important landmark in the history of astronomy. He founded nuclear physics as a discipline in India, also built the first cyclotron in India. One of the greatest Indian scientists of modern era.

As Prime Minister of the Maratha confederacy, he bought it back to the days of glory after the humiliating rout at Panipat. A man who defeated the British twice with his intelligence and diplomacy, prompting them to call him the Maratha Machiavelli. Nana Fadnavis

My tribute to Swami Dayananda Saraswati founder of Arya Samaji, on his Jayanti. One of modern India’s greatest thinkers, a social reformer, a nationalist, a writer, a man who taught Indians to speak and think fearlessly. Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a truly great son of Bharat.

Continuing my series on Indian revolutionaries, I take a look today at Sachindranath Sanyal, one of the founders of HRA, mentor to both Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh.

A new series, that looks at the history of the revolutionary movement in India.  It's named after the book written by Manmath Nath Gupta, which explores the revolutionary movement in India. And also looks at the life of this freedom fighter, who took part in the Kakori Conspiracy.

One of the greatest military operations in the history of vIndia, would be the capture of Sinhagad. On it's anniversary my look at the heroism of Tanaji Malusare, and the audacious assault on the fort. 

On the anniversary of the historic battle of Umberkhind in 1661, where Shivaji Maharaj routed the Mughals under Kartalab Khan at Umberkhind, my look at the historic event.

On the occasion of Ratha Saptami, my look at the festival, it's history, rituals and also a brief look at the Konark Sun Temple.

Major Somnath Sharma became the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, he fought with one arm bandaged, kept off the raiders at bay, and ensured Srinagar airport would not be lost to India.

Kodandera M Cariappa also known as Kipper, the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army, the only other Indian officer to hold the rank of field marshal, along with Sam Manekshaw

Punjab Kesari” Lala Lajpat Rai, one of the members of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, the others being Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, the so called extremist faction of the Congress. Founder of DAV. Writer, thinker, educationist. 

Homi Jahangir Bhaba, the father of India’s nuclear program, one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century  and founder of iconic institutions like TIFR and Atomic Energy Establishment at Trombay. His life was cut short by a rather mysterious plane crash in 1966.

January 24, 1739 On this date Chimaji Appa, the brother of Baji Rao, defeated the Portuguese forces and captured the fort here, a significant event in many ways. While many know about Baji Rao, not many have an idea about his equally great brother Chimaji Appa, who played a vital role on West Coast. Often overshadowed by his more famous brother, he was as brilliant and great a warrior.

Veer Surendra Sai was a true valiant warrior against British imperialism, who fought against them till 1862. An inspiring leader of the tribals in Western Odisha,  spent 37 years in prison. His aim was to drive the British out of his native Sambalpur, and though he could not succeed in his goal, he inspired a generation of freedom fighters in Odisha, and Jharkhand later on. A man who gave up the comforts, suffered untold miseries for the cause of his people,  Veer Surendra Sai, was a true hero, worthy of emulation.

On his Jayanti my tribute to one of the greatest Indian heroes ever. 

Rash Behari Bose, one of the masterminds behind the plan to assassinate Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy,  a key mover in the Ghadr conspiracy, meant to weaken the British army from inside, a master of disguise, camouflage and the founder of the Indian National Army.

About Dr. Hargobind Khorana who won the Nobel in 1968 along with Marshall Nirenberg and Robert Holley, for showing how order of nucleotides in nucleic acids, that carry the cell’s genetic code control the synthesis of proteins. One of the few Indian Nobel Prize winners.

My tribute to Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, a legendary warrior who humbled Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, the British. Waged a long guerilla resistance in the hills and forests to British rule. A true hero who needs to be known more. 

The legendary revolutionary and freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu- Veera Pandya Kattabomman, who challenged the British rule, and laid down his life for the cause of freedom.

About S.N.Bose, one of the great Indian scientists of modern era after whom the Bosons are named.

Ramana Maharshi, one of the greatest Hindu seers of modern era, whose seminal work Naan Yaar( Who Am I) explores his philosophy of self realization. His ashram in Tiruvannamalai attracts devotees from all over the world even now.

Udham Singh, was a revolutionary belonging to the GhadarParty best known for his assassination in London of Michael O' Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of the Punjab in India, on 13 March 1940. The assassination was in revenge for the Jallianwala Baghmassacre in Amritsar in 1919.