‘Redevelopment’ threatens heritage value of 125-year-old Coonoor rail station Sub :History Sec: Art and Culture Context: The Coonoor railway station, part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undergoing significant renovations. The station, over 125 years old, remains largely unchanged and is a relic of colonial history. […]
ASI’s Concerns over Waqf Properties and Protected Monuments Sub :History Sec : Art and Culture Context: The issue of dual authority over monuments arose during discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, where ASI officials raised concerns about being restricted from carrying out conservation work on such properties. Introduction The Archaeological Survey of […]
From Bharati to Karunanidhi: Nationalisation of Literary Works in Tamil Nadu Sub :History Sec : Modern India Context: To mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister and Muthamil Arignar (Tamil scholar) M. Karunanidhi, the Tamil Nadu government has nationalised his entire literary output. Introduction Nationalisation of literary works began in Tamil Nadu […]
New study suggests existence of a dockyard at Lothal, Gujarat, during Harappan Civilisation Sub: History Sec: Ancient India Context: Since the discovery of Harappan sites at Lothal, archaeologists have been divided on whether a dockyard existed at Lothal during the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) period. Study and findings: A new study by the […]
Paris seeks UNESCO heritage status for its zinc roofers Sub: History Sec: Art and Culture Context: The French Culture Ministry has chosen the zinc roofers as the country’s entry for the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Zinc roofs of Paris: Grey zinc roofs are a special feature of the Parisian Architecture. […]
Thanjavur tunes its wood stock Subject: History Sec: Art and culture Context: The land is famed for its handcrafted veena, with artisans and their families involved in perfecting the instrument from wood generation after generation. Thanjavur Veena: Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is famed for being the hub of making veena, an ancient musical […]
Controversy Over Shivaji Statue Collapse: PM Modi’s Apology and Political Reactions Sub: History Sec: Medieval India Why in News? The collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district on August 26 has sparked a significant political controversy. The incident has led to widespread criticism, allegations of corruption, and […]
Virupaksha temple in Hampi Sub: History Sec: Medieval India Context: Earlier this year, when the saalu mantapa, a pavilion at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, collapsed in torrential rainfall, questions were raised about the alleged neglect of the World Heritage Site. More on News: Monuments are everywhere in Hampi. Some stand tall and elegant against […]
The bitter dispute in the Namdhari sect, which has left 8 people injured in a violent clash Subject: History Sec: Modern India Context: Hundreds of followers of two rival groups of the Namdhari religious sect clashed violently in Rania in Haryana’s Sirsa district at the end of last week, leaving at least eight […]
Remembering the ‘Great Calcutta Killings’: When Jinnah’s ‘direct action’ caused a bloodbath Sub: History Sec: Modern India Context: A year before colonial rule in the subcontinent ended, Calcutta (now Kolkata) witnessed a bloodbath which claimed thousands of lives. The ‘Great Calcutta Killings’ of 1946, which went on from August 16 to 19, were […]