colonial india

James Augustus Hicky's Bengal Gazette highlighted native struggles in Kolkata, criticised East India Company corruption, and questioned Britain's wars in India.

The design of India's national emblem was adopted from the Lion Capital of an Ashokan pillar excavated in Sarnath by German-born engineer Friedrich Oscar Oertel.

It is commonly believed that the donne biryani, a unique variety served in a dried banana leaf, was introduced by the Shivaji Military Hotel to sustain Maratha warriors. Here’s a look at its history and legacy in Bengaluru.

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, or Begum Rokeya, fought grave opposition and criticism to build India’s first school for Muslim girls. She goes down in history as being key in launching Bengal’s feminist revolution.

In his book 'The Skull of Alum Bheg', Dr Kim Wagner, a British-Danish historian, details how a young soldier was falsely accused of th grisly murders of a British doctor and reverend.

Ruchi Ram Sahni was a prominent scientist from undivided Punjab, as well as a teacher, meteorologist, physicist, and member of the Brahmo Samaj. Known for being one of the earliest promotors of Punjab as a science hub, lesser known are his contributions in saving thousands of lives in Orissa, and how he was never given credit for it due to his race.

P C Sorcar, often regarded as the 'Maharajah of Magic', enthralled western audiences with his sensational tricks in the 50s and 60s. We take a look at how he broke through rigid stereotypes to showcase the true talent and legacy of his homeland.

The Hobson-Jobson is an encyclopedic dictionary written in late 19th century by Englishmen Sir Henry Yule and Arthur Coke Burnell. It compiles the etymology, meaning, significance, and usage of several words used in the colonial era, many of which are used in common English today.

"Local doctors started suggesting that this fermented stale bread be given as a convalescent food to patients as it was easy to digest and kept their stomachs feeling full for long." #FoodSecrets

Did you know that, 4,000 years ago, the Harappans were probably eating almost exactly what you ate last night? Find out how this was revealed and more as we trace the origins of the ubiquitous curry.