Volumes on India's Freedom Struggle Martyrs

[Hindustani78]

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh pays tributes to Sikh warrior General Shyam Singh Attariwala on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar


GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 10

A “state-level” function to pay tributes to Sardar Shyam Singh Attariwala at his native village Attari ended on a disappointing note, with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh leaving the venue owing to poor turnout. The function was held to mark the 172nd martyrdom day of General Attariwala who laid down his life while fighting the British during the 1846 Anglo-Sikh battle in Sobraon.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh knowing his qualities and fighting abilities made him a jathedar of 5000 horsemen. He participated actively in many campaigns, notably like the campaign of Multan, campaign of Kashmir, Campaign of the frontier province.

Maharaja Ranjit singh died in June 1839.

At the time of Sikh ruler's death. Dhian singh was prime minister of Punjab to Kharak Singh, son of Ranjit singh. Maharaja Kharak Singh's chamber and killed his trusted aide and tutor, Chet Singh Bajwa.

Sham Singh attariwala and other good officers were sent to far places like Kashmir, North West frontier provinces, just like Nau Nihal singh. Nau Nihal singh knew about the treachery He did not came to Lahore until the day his father Kharak Singh, died due to slow poisoning . On the same day of his father's cremation, a huge concrete piece fell on Nau Nihal Singh and he also died.

Maharani Chand Kaur to adopt his son and declare him Maharaja of Punjab, she refused and was put in house arrest,She was also killed.

Then the next Maharaja other son of Ranjit Singh, Maharaja Sher singh was put to death.

On December 13, 1845 Governor General Lord Hardinge issued a proclamation, announcing war on the Sikhs.


Generals like Lal singh and Tej Singh led the Khalsa forces. They did not attacked British at Ludhiana but waited until their reinforcement arrived from Delhi.


on December 18 1845 at Mudki, a Battle took place. Lal Singh who headed the Sikh attack, The commander's action disturbed the ranks and Sikhs retired with the loss of 17 guns, British suffered heavy casualties of 872 dead. Among the dead was General Robert Sale. Sham Singh Attariwala did not took part in this action he was deployed at another point.

The second battle of Mudki was fought in this battle British lost 1000 men 1721 were wounded, Sikhs lost about 2000 men and about 73 pieces of guns.

On February 7, 1846 Sobraon was the last battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War. Misr Lal Singh had played a leading part in the battles of Mudki and Ferozeshah and it was now the turn of Misr Tej singh and Gulab Singh Dogra.

With Sham Singh Attariwala, fell the bravest of the Sikh Generals, Gulab Singh Gupta, Hira Singh Topee, Kishan Singh, Mubarak Ali and Shah Niwaz Qasuri.

Ten thousand brave Punjabis' burning with love for national independence, were killed in this action at Sobraon. All their guns were either captured or lost in the river. British losses were no lesser than the Khalsa as 320 officers and soldiers, including General {censored} of Waterloo fame. Brigadier Generals McLaren and Taylor, Major Fisher of the Sirmur battalion and Captain Warren, were killed and 2083 men wounded.

The Khalsa forces fought British forces in the battle of Sabhraon. It is during this battle that the brave Khalsa General, Sardar Sham Singh of Attari, fell fighting and accepted shahadat. During this war, the Khalsa forces suffered heavy losses, mainly due to internal dissension. The Sikh army deprived of ammunition and rations, crossed Sutlej at Sobraon.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-her-lawyer/story-f73uMoip5opYcZUfG2mq3N.html

A letter written in Persian on ‘gold paper’ brought the Australian John Lang, who studied law in England and had made India his home, face-to-face with the Rani Jhansi Laxmi Bai whose life will soon be depicted on silver screen by Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut.

The year was 1854. The order for annexation of Jhansi had been passed the previous month.

The Rani was interested in Lang being her representative before East India Company and fighting the case against the annexation.

Lang devoted a full chapter to “The Ranee of Jhansi” in his 1861 book ‘Wanderings in India — Sketches of Life in Hindostan’ that was first published in 1861.

Three years back, the book was republished by Har-Anand publications.

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in John Lang and his life in India, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 gifted his then Australian counterpart Tony Abbott a copy of the petition filed by Lang on behalf of Laxmi Bai.

Lang writes that the total revenue of ‘little province’ of Jhansi was around Rs 6 lakh per annum and after disbursing the government expenses and paying the troops in her late husband’s service, Rani Laxmi Bai used to be left with around Rs 2.5 lakh in profit. Troops, mainly horsemen, were less than 1000 in all. When Jhansi was annexed, the East India Company decided to pay her a yearly pension of Rs 60,000 which would be paid monthly.

The queen wasn’t keen on the annexation, a decision that Lang attributes partly to the financial aspects of it. That made Laxmi Bai summon Lang, who died at the age of 48 in Mussoorie in 1864.

The queen, Manikarnika or Manu was born in 1828 into a family of Maharashtrian Brahmins. She took the name of Laxmi Bai following her marriage to Jhansi king Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar who died without a biological heir; weeks prior to his death he had adopted a six-year-old boy from his extended family.

Lang writes that the Jhansi Raja was “particularly faithful to the British and Governor General William Bentinck had presented his brother a British ensign and letter giving him title of ‘Rajah’ and also assured him that the title and the independence attached to it would be guaranteed by the British to him, the Rajah and his heirs and successors (by adoption).”

“That that treaty (for such it purported to be) of Lord William Bentinck was violated without the slightest shadow of a pretence, there cannot be any doubt,” he adds.

Lang writes that the British may have had a problem with the title of Rajah passing on, more than anything else.

Laxmi Bai sent a large comfortable palanquin carriage to fetch Lang from Agra to Jhansi, a journey of two days.

The palanquin was fitted with every convenience including a punkah (fan) which was pulled form outside by a servant who sat upon a foot board. “In the carriage, besides myself and the minister and vakeel (who were sent to bring Lang) there was a khansamah or butler who with apparatus between his knees, kept cooling water, wine and beer, in order that, whenever I felt thirsty, I might be supplied at a moment’s notice. The enormous carriage was drawn by a pair of horses of immense strength and swiftness.” The horses were imported from France, he writes.

Lang told Laxmi Bai that the Governor General had no power to restore the title and recognize the claim of the adopted son without a reference to England and prudent course would be to petition the British throne and meanwhile draw the pension under protest. Rani refused to do this and said, “Mera Jhansi nahin dengee” (I will not give up my Jhansi).

Lang said her opposition might end of up jeopardising her liberty. Finally at Lang’s persuasion, she relented but said she would not draw any pension from the British. Lang lost her case and the rest is history.

 

[Hindustani78]

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur lights a lamp on the birth anniversary of historian Thakur Ram Singh on Friday. Tribune photo

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...nspired-historians-chief-minister/544964.html



Our Correspondent
Hamirpur, February 16

“A litterateur from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Thakur Ram Singh played a pivotal role while heading the Bharatiya Itihaas Sankalan Yojna”, said CM Jai Ram Thakur. He was speaking at the Thakur Ram Singh Jayanti seminar organised by the Department of Language Art and Culture at Jagdev Chand History Research Institute at Neri village near here today.

He said his research was focused on unearthing the facts and real history of the country. He was a motivator and an intellectual who contributed to conservation, compilation and rewriting of historical facts. He said Thakur Ram Singh inspired many historians, scholars and senior workers to achieve the objectives of reflecting the real history of the country.

The contribution of Thakur Ram Singh in initiating research and making correction in Indian history will be remembered forever, he said.

The Chief Minister suggested that a book on him be made available in all school libraries. He assured to provide all possible assistance for strengthening the institute. Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati, presented a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister towards the CM Relief Fund.

Power Minister Anil Sharma, Panchayati Raj Minister Virendar Kanwar, Purnima Chauhan, Secretary, Language, Art and culture, MLAs Narender Thakur and Rakesh Jamwal, Vijay Mohan Puri, president, Neri Research Institute, Kismat Kumar, state secretary, RSS, writers, poets and many others associated with the institute were present on the occasion.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
18-February, 2018 11:40 IST
PM pays tributes to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa on his birth anniversary

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has paid tributes to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa on his birth anniversary.

" I bow to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa on his Jayanti. He embodied the spirit of harmony and brotherhood. He dreamt of a society that is just and free from divisions," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also shared a speech he had given last year in which he had paid tributes to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

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Ramakrishna was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay on February 18, 1836 to Khudiram Chattopadhyay and Chandramani Devi. The poor Brahmin family hailed from the Kamarpukur village of Hoogly district in Bengal Presidency.

Ramakrishna was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay on February 18, 1836 to Khudiram Chattopadhyay and Chandramani Devi. The poor Brahmin family hailed from the Kamarpukur village of Hoogly district in Bengal Presidency.

Young Gadadhar was sent to the village school to learn Sanskrit

The Kali temple at Dakshineshwar was established by the celebrated philanthropist Queen of Janbazar, Calcutta, Rani Rashmoni, during 1855. Since the Queen’s family belonged to the Kaibarta clan.

Gadadhar to join him at Dakshineshwar to assist him in the daily rituals. He arrived at Dakshineshwar and was entrusted with the duty of decorating the deity, 1856, leaving Ramakrishna to take over the position of the head priest at the temple.




Rani Rashmoni

She was born on 26 September 1793 into a poor farming family of Harekrishna Das inKona village, in present day North 24 Parganas . Exceptionally beautiful, she was married to Babu Rajachandra Das of Janbazar,Kolkata, a member of a wealthy zamindar family, when she was eleven years old. After her husband’s death she took charge of the zamindari and business.

The Rani and her clashes with the British in India became household tales in her time. By blocking the shipping trade on a part of Ganges she compelled the British to abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river, which threatened the livelihood of poor fishermen. When Pujaprocessions were stopped by the British on the charge that they disturbed the peace, she defied the orders. The British had to withdraw the penalty imposed on her in the face of public opposition and rioting in her support.

Prince Dwarkanath Tagore had mortgaged a part of his Zamindari in now South 24 Parganas (part of present day Santoshpur and adjoining areas) to Rani Rashmoni.

Rani Rashmoni’s House at Janbazar was venue of traditional Durga Puja celebration each autumn. This included traditional pomp, including all-night jatras (folk theatre), rather than by entertainment for the Englishmen with whom she carried on a running feud. After her death in 1861, her sons-in-law took to celebrating Durga Puja in their respective premises

She funded the construction of ghats such as Babughat (in memory of her husband), Ahiritola Ghat and Nimtala Ghat for the daily bathers in the Ganges.

A divine revelation led her to found the famous temple complex on the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar in the North 24 Parganas.Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa (then known as Gadadhar) was appointed its head priest under her patronage.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/books/books...y-and-after/article22521529.ece?homepage=true

A historian documents India’s ‘First War of Independence’ with a wealth of photographic evidence from the Alkazi collection

The year 1857 was a watershed one in the history of India. The British East India Company quelled the ‘mutiny’ of Indians, thus paving the way for India to become a British colony. But nevertheless, the uprising was a jolt for the imperial intentions of the British and resulted in many decisions that changed the fate of India.

The Mughal emperor was exiled to Rangoon after a travesty of a trial where he was charged with sedition against his own empire. Queen Victoria was declared the Empress of India and this set in motion a chain of events that resulted in the drain of wealth from India bringing it down from being one of the richest economies in the world to being one of the poorest.

Divide and rule

It was during the uprising of 1857 that the British realised that if Hindus, Muslims, rich and poor, high and low castes could get together, they would almost succeed in dislodging them and so they systematically started a policy of what is now called divide and rule.

Many books were written by the British themselves to analyse the ‘mutiny’. Indians too wrote many books on it, but this fascinating period of history still needs much more study and work.

As such, the book under review, The Uprising of 1857, edited by historian Rosie Llewellyn-Jones, is an important document with its wealth of photographic evidence from the Alkazi collection.

Many names have been given to the uprising of 1857, with the British calling it a mutiny and rebellion. In 1909, Veer Savarkar hailed it as the First War of Independence and this nomenclature gained popularity. Thus, the title of the book itself is interesting and one that immediately draws attention. The uprising was restricted to parts of northern India and the British troops that were sent to put down the ‘mutiny’ comprised soldiers from Punjab along with Afghan and Gurkha regiments.

Llewellyn-Jones makes an important point for students of 1857, “Indians, divided by creed, caste, tribal loyalties, feudal resentment, personal grudges, envy and greed, sometimes fought each other instead of the real enemy, the British.”

The main focus is on photographic evidence, and there is an attempt to study it not just from the lens of the photographer but as Llwellyn-Jones writes, “This book marries little-known photographs with new texts on the Mutiny by current scholars.”

The book deals with lesser-known aspects of the uprising and not just famous stories like that of Rani of Jhansi, Begum Hazrat Mahal or Bahadur Shah Zafar.

With contributors such as Shahid Amin, Mahmood Farooqui, Nayanjot Lahiri, Andrew Ward, Tapti Roy, Susan Gole, Zahid R. Chaudhary, Stephanie Roy Bharath, the ‘marriage’ is very successful.

In the first essay, Amin questions the ‘grimly controlled masculine military understanding’, which meant that the Rani of Jhansi too is glorified for her masculine spirit.

Farooqui’s essay on Mirza Ghalib and Maulvi Mohammed Baqar, while discussing two of Delhi’s intellectuals and their reactions, ends on an interesting note. He writes, “The ‘de-Muslimisation’ of 1857 and the ‘Muslimisation of Urdu’ are not entirely unrelated historical processes.”

Picture story

Lahiri calls the ‘mutiny’ photographs ‘deliberate narratives’ as they are a valuable archival source that record and remember particular kinds of ‘architectural and human landscapes’. War photography depends on the intent and ideology of the photographers and the ‘social and political memories’ that the British victors sought to perpetuate and preserve.

Ward’s essay describes the massacre of the British at Bibighar in Cawnpore that brought Kanpur to world attention. It helped to unify Westerners in “their contempt for the moral condition of native people, buttress their belief in their own cultural superiority and obscure the atrocities they had themselves committed.”

Llewellyn-Jones’ essay on the royal family of Awadh invokes much nostalgia and empathy for the exiled Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.

‘A bloody drama’

Roy’s essay offers interesting insights on the conflict in Bundelkhand with Rani of Orchha opposing Rani of Jhansi and siding with the British. As Roy states, “We witness a bloody drama of struggles, agonies, victories and defeats that were relentlessly personal and stamped with the protagonists’ personal traits.”

Gole’s maps of 1857 offer a wealth of riches as they show troop manoeuvres and positions with explanations. Beato’s photograph, Execution of Mutineers, is iconic, and Chaudhary’s essay explores ‘two ways of thinking about photography and violence’. 1857 saw quite a bit of the latter.

Most of us have seen photographs of the uprising of 1857 but rarely pay attention to the photographers and their work. Bharath’s essay describes them and their contribution to recording the events and sites. This is a must read book for those interested in the uprising of 1857, however its price as well as size and thickness, limits it to a select audience.

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Orchha State was founded in 1501 AD by the Bundela chief, Rudra Pratap Singh.

Rudra Pratap Singh was succeeded by his son, Bharatichand, who died without leaving an heir in 1554 and was in turn succeeded by his younger brother, Madhukar Shah.

Both Bharatichand and Madhukar had to deal with attacks and they organised under the Afghan Islam Shah Suri (r. 1545-53) and fought Mughal Akbar (r. 1556-1605). Events involving the former were noted by the court poet Keshavdas and those involving Madhukar, who had to relinquish lands to Akbar in 1577 and 1588.

The capture of Orchha by invading Mughal forces




Hamir Singh, who ruled from 1848 to 1874, was elevated to the style of Maharaja in 1865. During his reign the allied forces of Orchha, Datia and Jhansi in 1857 joined the Jhansi territory against Britishers.

 

[Hindustani78]

Satpal Singh Malik, Governor of Bihar, being welcomed by Union Minister Birender Singh, Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar and Dada Baljit Singh Malik at Gohana in Sonepat district on Monday. Photo: BS Malik

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ha...-malik-khap-leader-dada-ghasi-ram/546446.html
Our Correspondent


Sonepat, February 19

Rich tributes were paid to the founder of the Gathwala (Malik) Khap, Dada Ghasi Ram Malik, one of most regarded Khap leaders of his times, on his 149th birth anniversary at Malik Bhawan at Gohana in the district today.

Satpal Singh Malik, Governor of Bihar, said that Dada Ghasi Ram was one of the most popular Khap leaders known for his impartial social decisions not only in the Malik khap but also in other khaps. He was also a close associate of legendary kisan leader Sir Chhotu Ram, then Revenue Minister of United Punjab before Partition, he added.

Malik said that Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan is a more pious place than Haridwar as statues of the martyrs had been installed in every village there. “Good character is necessary for nation building,” he added.

Union Steel Minister Birender Singh said that Dada Ghasi Ram was still being remembered for his selfless service to society and his contribution to eradication of social evils. “Society has become strong politically, but there is need to become strong economically also,” he said and asked the gathering to take up self employment through trading and setting up industrial units.

Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankhar said that the younger generation should learn about their ancestors who contributed to society and the country. “To achieve the target, the state has decided to install Gaurav Pattas in every village for inscribing the details of the martyrs, serving soldiers, donors and sports persons,” he said. He announced a grant of Rs 21 lakh for the reconstruction of Malik Bhawan.

On the occasion, Dada Baljit Singh Malik, grandson of Dada Ghasi Ram Malik, who presided over the programme, presented a six-point resolution that was unanimously passed. The resolution included a ban on female foeticide, celebratory firing in marriages, marriages during daytime and dowry etc.

The Governor of Bihar inaugurated a life size marble statue of Dada Ghasi Ram on the Malik Bhawan premises. Other who paid tributes included former MP and HPCC president, Dharam Pal Singh Malik, former Haryana minister Kulbir Singh, Haryana Chief Minister’s adviser Dr Yogendra Malik.

 

[Hindustani78]

Feb 20, 2018 08:35 IST

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Rajshri Shaktawat (in pink), warden of the girl’s hostel run by Jauhar Smriti Sansthan, along with some of the girls who stay there. While the women of Jauhar Kshatrani Manch and the members of Jauhar Smriti Sansthan agree that jauhar is a historical practice and that women today should be taught to stand up and fight for themselves, they still uphold Padmini’s jauhar and the principle of death over dishonour. (Raj K Raj/ HT Photo)

A view of Padmani Mahal at Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, a plaque at what is popularly referred to as Padmini Palace inside the Chittorgarh fort was covered, allegedly by the Archaeological Survey Of India, after protests against the information imparted there. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

At Jauhar Bhavan, Rajshri Shaktawat, the warden of a girl’s hostel run by the Jauhar Smriti Sansthan, confesses that not all the women who participated in the rally against Padmaavat would have committed jauhar. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

A tourist inside the Chittorgarh Mahal complex in Rajasthan. Both the fort and the town of Chittorgarh have memorials to the jauhars committed by the women in the past. Inside the fort is a Jauhar Sthal, where locals believe the last of the three jauhars had taken place. (Raj K Raj /HT Photo)

An arched entry by a door in Padmani Mahal at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan. The room from where Khilji was said to have glimpsed a reflection of Padmini is locked. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

An arched entry by a door in Padmani Mahal at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan. The room from where Khilji was said to have glimpsed a reflection of Padmini is locked. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

Strangely though, in Chittorgarh, few shudder at the evident gruesomeness and agony of such a death. Rather, it is upheld and celebrated as an act of valour, equalling the bravery of men who were killed in battle. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

Maruthanayagam Pillai (1725 – 15 October 1764) alias Mohammed Yusuf Khan (Khan Sahib) was born in Panaiyur, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India in 1725 into a Hindu family, and later embraced Islam for fighting in the British army. From humble beginnings, he became a warrior in the Arcot troops

Going back to 1734, when the Madurai Nayak King Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha Nayak died in 1731, he was succeeded by his widow, Queen Meenakshi, who acted as Queen-Regent on behalf of a young boy she had adopted as the heir of her dead husband. She had only ruled a year or two when an insurrection was raised against her by Bangaru Thirumalai, the father of her adopted son, who pretended to have claims of his own to the throne of Madurai approached Safdar Ali Khan, the son of Dost Ali Khan, the Nawab of Arcot with a couple of millions, while the queen sought Chanda Sahib, Safdar Ali Khan's brother-in-law.

After a few years Chanda Sahib respected the agreement with the queen and assumed control of Madurai, keeping the helpless Queen Meenakshi under in the rock-fort at Trichy. The haples queen soon consumed poison. After the death of Chanda sahib in the last of the Carnatic wars, Madurai kingdom came under Mohammed Ali's (the incumbent Nawab of Arcot) control, who in turn gave the tax collection rights of the whole Madura kingdom to the British, from whom he had borrowed huge sums of money.

The Polygars from Tirunelveli, Madurai regions and Sivaganga and Ramnad, were unwilling to pay taxes (kappam or Kist) to Mohammed Ali, a weak Nawab, nor ever recognized the British in the guise of tax collector. In 1755 the British to quell these rebellious Polygars dispatched a huge army to the south under Col. Heron.

Arcot Nawabs brother Mahfuz Khan, accompanied by Yusuf Khan as bodyguard. Mahfuz Khan and

Col. Heron burnt several villages and razed down several temples, then ransacked and looted lot of towns, melting several rare statues from Hindu temples. This infuriated Yusuf Khan, who lodged a complaint with the British. Later Col. Heron was courtmarshalled.

During this time the French under Thomas Arthur Lally surrounded the British fort in Madras. Yusuf Khan during the night launched a surprise attack on the French troops packing them away.

In 1756, March Yusuf Khan was sent to Madurai to collect taxes and restore order. But during that time Madurai was under control of one Barkadthullah of Chanda Sahib days, with the support of Hyder Ali of Mysore.

During this time Yusuf Khan arrived with little as 400 troops to take control of Madurai

Yusuf Khan (marudhanayagam) broke the alliance between Travancore Raja and Puli Thevar by convincing Raja of Travancore to enter into an alliance agreement with Arcot Nawab.

British earned the wrath of Mysore, and had slaughtered most of all rebellious Polygars who were anti-British, and the remaining were on the prowl. Now the Tanjore, Travancore, Pudukkotai, Ramnad, Sivaganga kingdoms joined with Yusuf Khan and the Arcot Nawab to attack the British.

In 1764 again the British troops surrounded the Madurai Fort, this time cutting supplies to the fort. Hence Yusuf Khan and his troops went without food and water for several days.

Yusuf Khan was offering his prayers inside the fort, Marchand, Srinivasa Rao and Baba sahib

15 October 1764, near the army camp at Sammattipuram, on the Madurai- Dindigul road, Yusuf Khan was ignominiously hanged as a rebel This place is about two miles to the west of Madura, known as Dabedar Chandai (Shandy), and his body was buried at the spot.

MOHAMMAD YUSUF KHAN (1725–1764) OR MARUTHANAYAGAM (MARUDHANAYAGAM) PILLAI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Culture23-February, 2018 17:55 IST
National Archives of India launches Book reading series -“Archives Reads” to showcase importance of archival records

Director General, National Archives of India (NAI), Shri Pritam Singh, launched a Book Reading Series entitled “Archives Reads” in New Delhi today. This is to inculcate archival awareness among the masses, to bring prominent historians closer to the young readers and to showcase the vast treasure of archives available with NAI for research and reference purposes. Speaking at the event, Director General, National Archives of India, Shri Pritam Singh said, “it is a unique initiative by NAI to highlight the importance and utility of archive treasure available with NAI for the use by historians, researchers and specially the youth”.

This Book Reading Series commenced with the book titled “Hari Singh Nalwa: Champion of the Khalsaji – 1791-1837” authored by Dr. Vanit Nalwa, a senior consultant Psychologist. The event witnessed the author sharing her experience of researching at the National Archives of India- the premier custodial institution for public records. Dr. Vanit Nalwa was thankful to NAI as nearly half the research taken up for her writing of the book like letters/communications between Sikhs and Afghans against invaders were sourced from the records available at NAI. The author has consulted a total of 2000 records at the NAI, out of which she has quoted about 350 records in her book. The author has researched for about 7 years before the completion of the book.

This book chronicles the life and times of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, one of the great pillars of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s empire. Hari Singh Nalwa was the commander-in-chief of the Sikh army along its border with Afghanistan.

NAI has in its custody Private Archives of eminent personalities, Cartographic records and a Library which are being accessed by innumerable research scholars/ users from across the globe over the past many decades. It has hosted a large number of renowned scholars from around the world.



*****

 

[Hindustani78]

A 1784 coin from an Amritsar mint. file photo


Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22
original Sikh coins the Punjab Government stop for minting duplicate coins. These coins will be placed at the upcoming Sikh Coins Museum at Gobindgarh Fort.

The Gobindgarh Fort museum will display coins from 1765 onwards, when Sikh “misls” started issuing their own coins

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the statue of Sri Aurobindo, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the statue of Sri Aurobindo, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage at the statue of Sri Aurobindo, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Matri Mandir, Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Matri Mandir, Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Matri Mandir, Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the great Banyan Tree in Auroville, Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the great Banyan Tree in Auroville, Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the great Banyan Tree in Auroville, Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Aurobindo Ashram, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Aurobindo Ashram, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Aurobindo Ashram, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi releasing the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018. The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr. Kiran Bedi is also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launching the Book on Integral Education at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018. The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr. Kiran Bedi is also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the gathering at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the gathering at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the gathering at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visiting the exhibition and interacts with pioneers, at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visiting the exhibition and interacts with pioneers, at Auroville, in Puducherry on February 25, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
27-February, 2018 11:05 IST
President of India to address golden jubilee celebrations of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, tomorrow

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will leave for Chandigarh this afternoon (February 27, 2018) to grace and address the golden jubilee celebrations of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women tomorrow (February 28, 2018).

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Mehr Chand Mahajan (23 December 1889 in Nagrota, Kangra district – 1967) was the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. Prior to that he was the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh.

Mahajan started his career as a lawyer in 1913 in Dharamsala, where he spent a year practising. He spent the next four years (1914-1918) as a lawyer in Gurdaspur. He then practiced law in Lahore from 1918 to 1943. During his time there, he served as president of the High Court Bar Association of Lahore (1938 to 1943).

 

[Hindustani78]

The flag will be yellow, red and white with the State emblem in the middle
Karnataka took a historic decision to have separate State flag of the Princely State.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened to discuss the recommendations of the nine-member flag committee. The committee had recommended yellow, red and white with the State emblem in the middle. The meeting was attended by representatives of Kannada/Telugu/Tamil/Maratha organisations, littérateurs and official representatives.

After arriving at a consensus with regard to accepting the flag recommended by the expert committee said: “The long pending demand of having separate State flag has finally been realised with the support extended by all the concerned.”

Exhibiting the State flag, he said the “government, which felt the need of having separate flag, lent voice to the demand by setting up expert committee to decide on colour and emblem of the State flag.”

An expert committee was constituted following representation from renowned journalist and writer Patil Puttappa.

After examining the legal and Constitutional provisions, the committee submitted its report on February 6. “When the report was tabled in the State Cabinet, it was unanimously accepted. This further empowered me to take a final call on the issue after consulting leaders of Kannada organisations. Leaders of Kannada/Telugu/Tamil/Maratha outfits agreed to the recommendations on the design of State flag,” he added.

In the tri-colour Stage flag, white symbolises peace with State emblem. While yellow symbolises the auspiciousness and well-being of Kannadigas, the red colour symbolises courage.

“The state government had no power to announce its State flag. A proposal in this regard will be sent to the union government. We will urge the centre to approve the proposal and make an official announcement at the earliest,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

Centre agrees to the proposal, Karnataka will be second state in the country to have a separate discussion on princely State flag, after Jammu and Kashmir. This is due to J&K's special status under the Constitution. “There is no opposition for States to have discussion about princely states separate flag/goverance/traditions/borders according to the Constitution of Republic of India. But, the State flag will always fly below the National flag, as prescribed,” said Chief Minister of Karnataka State Mr. Siddaramaiah.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
09-March, 2018 20:44 IST
President of India receives First copy of book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s tribute to Gandhiji’

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received the first copy of the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s Tribute to Gandhiji’ from Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (March 9, 2018). Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, noted sanitation activist, was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that this book underscores an important aspect of India’s developmental process - linking sanitation with broad mass participation, making it a mass movement, giving central importance to the practical needs of ordinary citizens in policy, and establishing ethical ideals firmly in public life.

The President said that cleanliness and hygiene are basic conditions for a leading nation. The Prime Minister has given the highest priority to these in the form of a mass movement. The effort to connect the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi with nation-building comes at critical juncture in India’s development journey. This book is an effort to underline this change.

Click here to see President Speech

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind receiving the first copy of the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams - Prime Minister Modi’s Tribute to Gandhiji’, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 09, 2018.




The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind receiving the first copy of the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams - Prime Minister Modi’s Tribute to Gandhiji’, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 09, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Vice President's Secretariat
19-March, 2018 13:29 IST
Sardar Patel was an embodiment of Indian culture: Vice President

Consultation, conversation, confluence of ideas vital for democracy;

Inaugurated Sardar Patel Conference Hall

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the first Home Minister of India, Sardar Patel was an embodiment of Indian culture. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Sardar Patel Conference Hall at the Vice President Secretariat, here today. Apart from interactions with important foreign delegations, the Vice President will meet various delegates in the conference hall. It will also be used to host cultural events.

Describing Sardar Patel as unifier of India, the Vice President said that Sardar Patel integrated more than 500 princely states to bring unity. He is a role model to him and he was instrumental in creating services like, IAS and IPS, he added.

The Vice President said that Consultation, conversation confluence of Ideas vital for democracy. Both inside and outside Parliament, he added.

On the Occasion, the Vice President complemented Urban Development Ministry, Central Public Works Department, Shirke group and NDMC for completing the construction of the hall in a record three months time.


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