History

Besides lending a major hand in nationalist movements of Kenya and India, Makhan Singh, a revolutionary trade unionist, believed that the pursuit of freedom and justice is not restricted by your country of birth.

Often referred to as the Father of Indian Journalism, Ramananda Chatterjee founded and edited two journals. Having worked with contributors like Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose, it was his unflinching journalistic skills that helped drive epochal freedom struggle movements.

A winter delicacy, Daulat Ki Chaat is sold by only a handful of Delhi street vendors and is made with a hint of superstition and dollops of deliciousness.

On 28 January 1950, the Supreme Court held its first sitting under the Indian Constitution in the Court Chamber of Parliament House.

Col Quazi Sajjad Zahir (Retd), a hero of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, left for India with just Rs 20 in his pockets and whatever information he could gather on the Pakistan Army’s war plans was bestowed with a Padma Shri Award this year.

P K Rosy, Malayalam cinema's first woman actor and Indian cinema's first dalit actress, attracted the fury of many caste Hindus, who forced her to flee her state when she essayed the role of an upper-caste woman in Vigathakumaran, the first Malayalam feature film. She received recognition for her fearless work decades later, particularly in 2019, when the Women in Cinema Collective named their film society after her.

Atlas Cycles Ltd was established by Janki Das Kapur in a small shed in Haryana to make affordable cycles for all and became a well-known brand in international markets as well.

Jawahrlal Nehru shared a special bond with Indonesian President Sukarno, because of India’s efforts to bring global attention to Indonesia’s struggle against Dutch colonisers post World War II.

On July 13, 1905, Kuriyedathu Thathri, who was a Namboodiri Brahmin, was put on trial under the age-old Smarthavicharam ritual for infidelity and promiscuity. This would result in her excommunication from her caste. But she fought for all 65 men, including the king of Kochi, to face equal consequences for their actions.

Hindustani Classical vocalist Hirabai Barodekar of the Kirana Gharana was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and paved the way for female artists at a time when they were not allowed to perform on stage. Her immense talent and popularity earned her several awards and disciples, including Padma Shri winner Prabha Atre, Vrinda Limaye, Bakul Pandit, Saraswati Rane and many more.