-
When Indore’s Bureaucracy Burned History: The Lost Holkar Archives and Parasnis’s Crusade
The near-total loss of the Holkar Archives at Indore, following years of official obstruction and a fire in a substandard repository, remains a defining lesson in how bureaucratic negligence can erase civilizational memory. This narrative situates D. B. Parasnis within that tragedy and highlights his lifelong effort to rescue, professionalize, and open Indian historical records…
-
What D.V. Gundappa’s 1959 Letters Reveal: Protocol, Federalism, and Public Decency
Archival letters written by D.V. Gundappa in January 1959, following the death of Sir Mirza Ismail, open a window into the administrative culture of post-Independence India. The correspondence probes how states should register public sentiment, the extent of central guidance on official holidays, and the federal balance between Delhi and state capitals. By foregrounding courtesy…
-
When Chapatis Forged the First War of Indian Independence: A Hidden Event
In this intriguing blog post, we delve into the historical significance of the chapati, a simple Indian bread, in the context of the 1857 Indian War of Independence against the East India Company. We explore the widespread distribution of chapatis across North India and its enigmatic role in mobilizing the masses, sparking conspiracy theories and…
-
A Ready Reckoner of Aurangzeb’s Industrial Scale Temple Destructions
This podcast episode delves into the extensive records of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s temple destructions throughout India, presenting a chilling account of over thirty Hindu temples ravaged in regions spanning Agra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka. The extensive evidence from historical sources, including royal orders, chronicles, and scholarly accounts, sheds light on…
-
An Extraordinary Portrait of Dharmic Village Administration in Ukkal
This blog post takes readers on a historical journey to Koolamandal and Ukkal, two lesser-known but culturally rich villages in South India. Koolamandal was once a vibrant center of Sanatana society, home to the magnificent Gangaikondacholeesvarar Temple built by Rajendra Chola I. Ukkal, on the other hand, is known for its extraordinary village administration system,…