India 🇮🇳

I was born in Gwalior, moved to Alwar, then moved out of India at the age of 4. I visited India every year since then. Growing up abroad, I felt connected to India via Bollywood movies and Indian food. My life took me further away from my birthplace. I have always been interested in the history of the world and India's history is something I often research and learn about through books and podcasts.

Here is a summary of the history as per my research:

• Oldest Civilization (Indus valley Civilization- 5000 years old)

• Oldest city - Varanasi is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city.

• Oldest Language - Tamil & Sanskrit

• Oldest University -Taxila & Nalanda

• Oldest Religion - Sanatam dharma

• Beautiful Architecture of temples with idols made of gold

• Birthplace of the world's 4 religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism

• Where Education, dance, music, and arts were worshiped in form of Sarasvati

• Where wealth is worshiped in form of Laxmi

• Land of Kamasutra

• Land of Ayurveda

• Jantar Mantar Indian scientists could calculate the position and movement of celestial bodies with a high level of accuracy before anyone in the world

• Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, many centuries ago along the rivers Krishna & Godavari. Diamonds have been known in India for at least 6,000 years

• The ruins of Indian temples (Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Konark) speak a lot about Indian Architecture and prosperity. North India faced multiple invasions which first looted temples of their wealth and then destroyed them.

• Water buildings in Rajasthan were built with ancient science & technology, water harvesting, water storage techniques

• Cotton was given to the world by India, 5000 years ago people Indians domesticated cotton.

• Yoga

• Rhinoplasty began in India

After the Gupta rulers, no Indian king could unite Indian independent regions. Kings kept fighting with each other - this was taken advantage of by Mongols, Afghanis, Persians, Mughals, and then the British.

Invasions:

• Alexander 330 BCE

• Arab Invasions

• Turkish Invasions

• Slave Dynasty

• Khiljis

• Tuglaqs

• Lodhi Dynasty

• Mughals

• Portuguese

• British East India Company

• British Raj

After hundreds of years of invasions, conversions, and loot, Modern India is reviving the historic shreds of evidence to create awareness of its rich history.

---

The little bit of India that I have seen...

Gwalior (my birthplace)

Old Victoria Market, Maharaj Baada, Gwalior

Punjabi Dhaba

Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.

Delhi to Gwalior road trip via Agra

The Red Fort or Lal Qila is a historic fort in Old Delhi, Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort represents the peak in Mughal architecture under Shah Jahan, and combines Persianate palace architecture with Indian traditions.

Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Am showed the perfection Architecture had reached at that time.The gloriously ranked arches of the Diwan-i-Am today. This building stands directly in line with the Lahori Gate and Drum House.

100s of years old Banyan Tree in the Red Fort

The Tomb of Salim Chishti is famed as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, built during the years 1580 and 1581

Buland Darwaza, or the "Door of Victory", was built in 1602 by Mughal emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, which is 43 km from Agra, India. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.

Grave inside Fatehpur Sikri

Sun Temple Gwalior- Temple to the sun god, with ornate red sandstone carvings of horses, chariot wheels & other deities.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

The India Gate, built in 1931 and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe. It commemorates India's war dead and houses an eternal flame.

Ruins of walls and other structures at the Qutub complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Agrasen ki Baoli-an historical and huge step well. Although there are no known historical records to prove who built the stepwell, it is believed that it was originally built by the legendary king Agrasen. Ugrasen ki Baoli was built to serve not only as a water reservoir but also as a community place. It is believed that women of those times used to assemble at this well and the cool ambiance of the baoli provided them with the perfect spot to relax and spend some moments away from the scorching heat outside.

A giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing about 800 kgs

World's Biggest Gita in ISKCON

This imposing statue is 108 feet tall and is the face of Delhi. (I saw it in a movie and was on a mission to find it)

Khedapati Hanuman Mandir

Sanatan Dharam Mandir

The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986.

Jantar Mantar is located in the modern city of New Delhi. “Jantar Mantar” literally means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens”. It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments.

Jai Vilas Palace is a very European palace. Despite a couple of paintings that pay lip service to the location of the palace, the inspiration drawn from the palace at Versailles is obvious. The furniture is also European and statues of Queen Victoria and British military officers still adorn the palace. Many of the themes that inspire the paintings and sculptures around the palace are drawn from European history and mythology

The Jai Vilas Mahal, also known as the Jai Vilas Palace, is a nineteenth century palace in Gwalior, India. It was built in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior in the British Raj.

Durbar hall of Jai Vilas Palace Gwalior was built with massive glass chandeliers.

This is a table made up of a picture of Napoleon in the middle and little pictures of his family members around it.

Silver toy train for dinner at Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior

And lastly, I am always fascinated to walk around Delhi Airport to check out the loos. There are images of people from different regions and it is such a creative way to show the diversity of India. Here are a few...

Bengal

Punjab

Rajasthan

Statue of Buddha at Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Chambal Valley is a cursed land as per mythology. It boasts of a barren and ravaged landscape, ravines, gorges and jungles. Bandits and dacoits. Outlaws and lawlessness. The setting for many iconic movies and the backdrop for many legendary Indian Robin Hoods