News & Events
New book on Banaras chronicles a ‘timeless’ city developed by Mughals and coloured by western visions
Is Banaras a timeless city or is the idea of timelessness a modern concept imposed upon it? Author and filmmaker Nilosree Biswas and photographer Irfan Nabi set out to explore this in their most recent photo book, ‘Bana…
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Osman Ali Khan’s ancestor Qaleej Khan died fighting for Aurangzeb near Hyderabad
Khawaja Abid Qaleej Khan, forefather of the Nizam VII was born in 1620 CE in Samarqand which is located in present day Uzbekistan. He is said to be a descendant of the famous Sufi Shahabuddin Suhrawardi. After the invas…
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Re-reading ‘Empress’: As a feminist historian, Ruby Lal offers a scholarly look at Nur Jahan’s life
The historical biography has gained much currency in recent literature and scholarship, in India, and abroad. When viewed through a feminist prism, the project focuses on two interrelated questions. How can one best rec…
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Conservation to reinvigorate Lahore Fort’s mural
LAHORE: Almost 60 per cent of the conservation work on the mural (Picture Wall) — a principal feature of the Unesco World Heritage Site of Lahore Fort — has been completed, say officials.
The landmark project includes …
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Mughal-era Eyeglasses That 'Ward Off Evil' Up For Auction at Sotheby's For Over Rs 25 Crore
Two pairs of ornate Mughal-era eyeglasses, called ‘Gate of Paradise’ and ‘Halo of Light’, are now going up for sale at Sotheby’s. Belonging to the High Mughal period, the eyeglasses were designed to “ward off evil" and …
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Todarmal’s diary to offer authentic information about land revenue system during Mughal age
Would it not be interesting to learn about the land measurement and revenue system introduced by Raja Todarmal, the finance minister and counsellor of Mughal Emperor Akbar during the medieval age? A far more fascinating…
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Sunday Long Reads: Of smaller towns, Mughal and Rajput paintings, book reviews, and more
Why are people leaving big cities for smaller towns
“Mama, chhi, chhi,” squealed two-year-old Rudra. He was in a park with his mother Neha Dara, when he walked into a puddle on a rainy day. Dara, a travel writer who ha…
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What Bahadur Shah Zafar did on his last day as Mughal Emperor?
Today, 21 September, marks 158 years since the end of the Mughal empire. On 20 September 1857, the British forces consolidated their hold over Delhi. It was game over for the Indians soldiers fighting against them. Many…
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Gujarat: Slab of pre-Mughal era Lehripura gate collapses
A slab of the pre-Mughal era Lehripura gate in the old city of Vadodara that was restored by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2014 collapsed on Monday. The …
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Agra: DM orders fuel-powered vehicles won't be allowed within 500 meters of Taj Mahal, locals oppose decision
Agra District Magistrate has passed orders to stop all fuel-powered vehicles 500 meters away from the Taj Mahal.
Although this restriction was already in force at the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal. The Tajganj township…
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