History Wonders

The region where the modern Indian state of Kerala exists today was once home to the powerful kingdom of Travancore. After the decline of the Chera Kingdom, several smaller principalities emerged in the region. One of these was the principality of Venad. Marthanda Varma ascended the throne of Venad in 1729. Through military campaigns and … Read more

The Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse were two important instruments used by the East India Company to expand its imperial control in India. While some regions such as Bengal and Punjab were annexed directly through conquest, the Company subordinated many other states through the system of subsidiary alliances. The policy of Subsidiary Alliance … Read more

India and China had traded with the western world since ancient times. Spices, textiles, and several other valuable products were exported to western countries. Most of this trade took place through land routes, the most famous being the Silk Route, which existed from ancient times until the 15th century. These routes were used not only … Read more

There are many figures in history who rose from humble beginnings to greatness, and one of the most remarkable among them was Shivaji. Born as the son of a jagirdar in the Bijapur Sultanate, Shivaji rose from modest circumstances to challenge the mighty Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He founded the Maratha Empire, which later surpassed the … Read more

Babur laid a strong foundation for the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat, Rana Sanga at Khanwa, and the Afghans in Bihar and Bengal. Yet, the greatest challenge to the Mughal Empire did not come from a powerful monarch but from an ordinary jagirdar of Sasaram — Sher Shah Suri. Though Sher Shah … Read more

The Mughal Empire had no fixed or settled law of succession. After the death of an emperor—and sometimes even during his lifetime—potential heirs fought among themselves for the throne. Ultimately, the prince who emerged victorious became the emperor. Shah Jahan was particularly ruthless in securing his claim to the throne. To eliminate rivals, he ordered … Read more

Humayun suffered severe defeats at the hands of Sher Shah Suri in the Battles of Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540). These losses forced him to flee successively from Agra to Delhi, then to Amarkot and Sind, before finally seeking refuge at the court of Shah Tamasp of Persia (modern-day Iran). Although Humayun lost the throne … Read more

Rajput kingdoms had long served as a defensive barrier on the north-western frontiers of India. However, their decline began after the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by Muhammad of Ghor in the Second Battle of Tarain. Prior to this, the Rajputs had ruled over large parts of northern India. During the rule of the Delhi Sultanate … Read more

Portugal was the first European country to enter India in 1498 and remained there until 1961. Vasco da Gama of Portugal discovered a new trade route to India via the Cape of Good Hope and arrived at Calicut. Although he was received with dignity by the Zamorin of Calicut, Portugal was not granted a monopoly … Read more