Historical Writings
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In Turkic literature, Alexander the Great appears as both a legend and a divine king
Many Turkic peoples inhabit regions that were deeply impacted by Alexander’s military campaigns.
Michael Erdman
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How a researcher found, almost accidentally, the first modern Indian treatise on government
Rahul Sagar’s painstaking search had all but ended when he suddenly made his discovery of T Madhava Rao’s manuscript.
Rahul Sagar
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Biography controversy: How do you write the life story of someone who has long been dead?
The writer of ‘The Unsung Architect’, a biography of VP Menon, on how popular historians can go about their research.
Narayani Basu
Trending
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The real reason why Modi says what he does – Hindu India accepts it
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‘My son lost his job during demonetisation but at least it removed black money’
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The Assam voter who no longer supports the BJP because of the CAA
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For better or for worse? Shifts in gender norms in India – in 12 charts
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Is apple cider vinegar as good for health as it sounds?
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How reformer Savitribai Phule’s first biography got written despite a lack of detail about her life
In Shantabai Bankar’s sketch of the educational pioneer in 1939, an attempt to rekindle memory trumped the availability of factual information.
Surajkumar Thube
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How the 50 ‘birth-tales’ of Buddha spread from Thailand to the rest of Southeast Asia
The Paññāsa Jātaka contain stories outside the Buddhist canon.
Jana Igunma
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Portugal gifted Bombay to Britain in 1661. So why did a Portuguese militia stay behind?
Loyal to the East India Company, the Bombay Portuguese Militia was first raised in 1672 and existed until 1827.
Hedley Sutton
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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From India to Iraq, the epic warrior Rustam appears in manuscripts with red hair. Why?
The appearance of the frequently-depicted character from the ‘Shahnama’ has remained unusually consistent.
Dr Peyvand Firouzeh
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Photos: How an Arabic cosmographical text ‘went viral’ in 16th-century India
Zakariyyā’ ibn Muḥammad al-Qazwīnī’s ‘The Wonders of Creation’ was a veritable hit in the peninsular Deccan region.
Vivek Gupta
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Photos: The tragic tale of Vietnamese heroine Kieu, from the epic poem ‘Kim Van Kieu’
The eponymous heroine is the most acclaimed lady in Vietnamese literature.
Sud Chonchirdsin
The Reel
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Watch: In ‘The Big Cigar’, the Black Panther founder flees America through a fake movie
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‘Dil Dosti Dilemma’ review: A feelgood entertainer about young love and old ties
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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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Glimpses of Malay manuscript ‘Adat Aceh’, a 17th century guide to statecraft from a great sultanate
The ‘Adat Aceh’ was compiled against the backdrop of the struggle for the throne of Aceh from 1815 to 1819.
Annabel Teh Gallop
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Husband-hunting in the Raj: Here’s the advice British women received when traveling to India
What to wear on the journey to the India and how to decorate your home once you’ve settled in.
Anu Kumar
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How 12th century Persian poet Omar Khayyám inspired a hedonistic counterculture in Victorian England
Today, ‘The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám’ could be an antidote to the moderation addicts who rarely express a passionate lust for life.
Roman Krznaric
The Field
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Archery, World Cup Stage I: Men’s recurve team reach final; Priyansh, Vennam in compound semis
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Watch, highlights ISL 2023-24: Mumbai City win dramatic semi-final first leg against FC Goa
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Athletics, Asian U20 C’ships: India clinch medals in men’s javelin, discus and 1500m on opening day
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Boundaries and impact: The imbalance in IPL 2024 shows it is not a good time to be a bowler
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IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals hold their nerve to beat Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring thriller