Stories written by
Ursula Sims-Williams
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From the pages of ‘Baburnama’, amazing illustrations of Hindustan’s birds and animals
Artwork from Babur’s memoirs are on display at the British Library.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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Why Alexander the Great was treated with hostility in Zoroastrian literature
Even in Firdawsi’s ‘Shahnamah’, he is described by Ardshir, founder of the Sasanian dynasty, as ‘the evil-minded tyrant’.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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In illustrations: Tales of conquests and adventures from the life of Alexander the Great
The Persian Shahnamah, or Book of Kings, is one of the most richly illustrated sources, completed by the poet Firdawsi in 1010 CE.
Ursula Sims-Williams
Trending
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‘Supporter of BJP met me’: Surat candidates on the various reasons they withdrew from the election
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CAA is a letdown, but Bengali Hindus in Assam are unlikely to ditch BJP
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What Sudhir Kakar (1938-2024) had to say on violence, secularism, and religion in India
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For better or for worse? Shifts in gender norms in India – in 12 charts
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Over 17,400 citizens write to EC seeking action against PM Narendra Modi for hate speech
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How did Alexander become ‘the Great’? A new exhibition explores the making of a myth
A glimpse of artefacts that will soon be on display at London’s British Library.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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In illustrations: The stories that are common to the Qurʼan and the Bible
Since accounts of the prophets’ lives were often sketchy in the Qurʼan itself, stories about them drew heavily on Jewish, Christian and oral literature.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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The oldest surviving Zoroastrian scriptures were found not in Iran or India, but in China
In its Epic Iran exhibition, the British Library will be displaying its unrivalled collection of manuscripts.
Ursula Sims-Williams
Video
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Watch: K-Pop singer Aoora sings in Assamese as he collaborates with Nilotpal Bora in a new folk song
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Watch Anu Malik and Sonu Nigam’s impromptu performance of ‘Main Hoon Na’ at Farah Khan’s home
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Watch: Doordarshan newsreader faints on live TV in Kolkata owing to severe heat
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Watch: Spice Girls sing ‘Stop’ as bandmates reunite to celebrate Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday
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Watch: Over 350 ballerinas come together to break the world record for standing on tip toes
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Muhammad Najib Khan, a Sufi soldier and manuscript collector in 18th-century southern India
Caught up in the conflict between the rivals of Hyderabad, the French and the East India Company, he was killed in the Battle of Ambur in 1749.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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Old manuscripts, letters show how Christian influences were depicted in Mughal art and life
A document talks about Christmas celebrations in Lahore in 1597.
Ursula Sims-Williams & Malini Roy
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Glimpses of ‘Divan-i-Hijri’, a book of poems in the collection of Humayun’s wife Hamidah Banu
The Mughal empress was known to have a rich library.
Ursula Sims-Williams
The Reel
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In ‘Tahader Katha’, the many partitions endured by a freedom fighter
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Watch: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ trailer
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Start the week with a film: A legend returns in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’
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In Cannes-bound ‘In Retreat’, a Ladakh that has rarely been seen before
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‘Trap’ trailer: M Night Shyamalan’s thriller stars Josh Hartnett as a serial killer
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Photos: The medieval-era Qurans with 30 leaves, one for each day of the month
These copies are based on the 30 equal sections.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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Royal seals on old books tell a fascinating story of Tipu Sultan’s penchant for calendar systems
They also show the ruler of Mysore’s fondness for the tiger motif.
Ursula Sims-Williams
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Rare manuscripts: A look at an illustrated Mughal copy of Nizami’s tragic romance ‘Layla Majnun’
The manuscript tells of the fateful romance between Layla and Qays who, driven to madness, took refuge in the desert with wild creatures.
Ursula Sims-Williams
The Field
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Watch, highlights ISL 2023-24: Odisha FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant in first leg of semi-final
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Archery, World Cup Stage I: Indian men’s and women’s compound teams through to finals
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ISL 2023-24: How first-time head coach Petr Kratky helped Mumbai City FC pick up the pieces
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IPL 2024: Marcus Stoinis helps Lucknow breach the Chennai fortress with unbeaten century
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Archery, World Cup Stage I: Jyothi Surekha Vennam finishes second in women’s compound qualification