Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Introducing Kids to Stamps of India Can Innovate Our Education System

Imagination is something that you should always let loose. The day we stop becoming imaginative, we would be soon nearing the end. The best of inventions in the world are outcomes of an imaginative mind. The education system in our country is very restrictive in terms of letting students become as free as possible. Children start mugging up concepts from a very young age. Recently I came across a friend telling me about how children from kindergarten are being asked to learn complex subjects. What is the end motive? Do you want to take away the innocence of childhood from children so early? At an age when children should be ideally running around playing a few games, they are asked to mug up something. This will definitely affect the overall development of kids. Academics should not be the only focus in schools. Sports and other extracurricular activities should be given equal importance. This will make students ready for all kinds of challenges that they would face when they grow up. They could be introduced to different kinds of hobbies that will not only keep them occupied and happy, but also will increase their general knowledge. Schools in India should introduce children to Stamps of India so that they are learning facts about our country in an interesting way.

The main problem with our education system is that it is obsolete and boring. Teachers only stick to textbooks and do not go for innovative teaching aids. Old Indian Stamps can prove to be a fun way to learn about our country. There are so many interesting subjects that are depicted on Rare Indian stamps. Everything from important personalities to inventions, traditions, cultures, geography, historical events, wildlife etc! The list is endless really. Now imagine if kids are asked to start collecting Stamps of India and asked to read up on the subjects that have been featured on them. This would definitely have a better impact than learning about these subjects from textbooks. I have had personal experiences when I have fallen asleep while reading some of these textbooks. Basically there is no kind of motivation to read these textbooks. When learning is clubbed with a fun activity then it definitely becomes even more effective.

Image Courtesy: mintageworld.com

Till the 2nd grade, I was this dull student who had no interest in studying. I was always looking out of the window and waiting for the recess bell to ring. The recess was the only exciting time for me in school, when I got a chance to interact with my friends and play a few interesting games. The summer vacations arrived and thankfully I was introduced the hobby of collecting Indian Stamps for the very first time. My uncle from Jamshedpur came over with his collection of Rare Indian Stamps. The moment I looked at those Rare Stamps of India, I fell in love with them. I kept pestering my uncle with various kinds of questions. He told me how he had started building his collection of Stamps in India from the last 15 years. Honestly, I was inspired by my uncle to start collecting Old Indian Stamps. Suddenly, I started losing interesting in playing outside and spent several hours only talking to my uncle about his collection of stamps. 

If it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have owned a collection of such amazing rare stamps of India. He was 70 years old back them and left me with his bounty before he left. Those were the first ever Indian Stamps that I collected in life. Even today, these stamps are really close to my heart. I can't imagine misplacing them somewhere and always make it appoint to keep them safely inside a drawer. Even today, the first thing that I show my fellow collector friends is that special collection of stamps that I borrowed from my uncle. I am greatly thankful to him for introducing me to this amazing hobby.

From the day I graduated to 3rd grade, i was a changed boy. I started concentrating on different subjects and topics. I looked at ways in which I could relate what I was learning at school with the collection of Indian Stamps that I had with me. The result was astonishing really. I suddenly started scoring more marks in exams. I was not bored of reading and gaining knowledge. Clearing exams and scoring marks was not my only intention. I wanted to read just to know more about my country. Stamps of India were a medium through which I was doing it. When my parents observed that I started reading, they also started supporting me to pursue my hobby. Ever since then, there was no looking back. I kept collecting Indian stamps as and when I got some free time. When I look back at my early days, I feel lucky that i found my passion in stamp collecting.

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Indian Postage Stamps are amazing historical archives

 India consistently had a tremendous and rich history because of the social and cultural diversity present in it. This assorted variety was all around reflected in all things, be it garments, customs, or dialects. So as to catch the story of this decent variety, India has delivered numerous magnum opuses; some of them incorporate the Indian postage stamps. These stamps were an approach to tell the old story and which is the reason they likewise contain a portion of the exceptionally uncommon Indian stamps.

Image Courtesy: mintageworld.com

Types of Indian Stamps:

India even has a long and special postal history that conveyed the endless Indian stamps collection. These have been made by a combination of frameworks including line drawing, typography, lithography, photogravure, and web-offset. Stamps in India have been made both for postage and for organization or salary. Complete and commemoratives have been given. Stamps have been conveyed both as imperforated sheets, punctured, and littler than normal sheets.

Indian Postal History:

The primary stamp for pan India was given on 1 October 1854. Since the time, stamps in India have just developed in size and grabbed the eye of the stamp gatherers the whole way across the globe. These stamps have been conveyed by a variety of strategies including line scratching, typography, lithography, photogravure, and web-balance. Stamps have been conveyed both as imperforated sheets, punctured and little sheets. They have likewise been conveyed both for postage and for organization or pay. There have additionally been conclusive and commemoratives. 

Rare Indian Stamps:

The country has a tangled philatelic history with a different assortment of Indian postage stamps that merit gatherers' thought. Moreover, old Indian Stamps have benefited by being a bit of the British Commonwealth, right now are incredibly popular. 

The rare Indian stamps have an extremely enormous assortment of uncommon Indian postage stamps, for example, The Queen Victoria Collection from Gwalior Convention State during British India or the King George V assortment from the Indian Expeditionary Force of British India. Other such old rare stamps of India are the British India-Feudatory State time's assortment of Indore stamps. 

Indore was before known as Ahilya Nagri. The originator of the House of Holkar was Malhar Rao, conceived in 1694. In 1761, after the Panipat, Malhar Rao obtained domains extending from the Deccan to the Ganges. In 1805, a harmony arrangement was finished up between the boss and the British. 

You can likewise peruse increasingly about these and different other uncommon Indian postage stamps at a wide range of sites as the Indian Stamps simply like its way of life are acclaimed over the globe.

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Old Rare World Coins : A Guide for Collector

Gathering currencies is the same as gathering a particular sort of fine art, or first-version books, or vintage stamps. There is something so fulfilling about having rare coins of the world: little, complicatedly planned bits of excellent craftsmanship that you can show and take a gander at, any time you wish.

A few people gather valuable coins from around the world since they want to claim these little bits of history. There is love or interest in claiming these effectively convenient things. Coins can be small scale masterpieces, showing a style and magnificence all their own. 

There are numerous different reasons why somebody puts the time, exertion, and cash together to make world coin collection. A charming interest, a beneficial interest, having things of authentic noteworthiness, or wanting to aggregate are for the most part normal reasons. 

In the event that you are additionally considering entering the world of coins, at that point here are the best two things that will assist you with understanding which sort of old rare world coins you can gather. 

USA Copper Quarter Dollar - Alabama 2003

Image Courtesy: Mintage World

• Rarity/Beauty 

These will cost more, yet the old rare coins of the world are frequently one of their smash hits focuses. On the off chance that you are sufficiently fortunate to unearth a shrouded treasure, the uncommonness of specific coins could be sufficient to set you forever. Notwithstanding the extra ordinariness quality, magnificence and configuration are additionally two searched after properties in mint piece gathering. A few gatherers group magnificence as brilliance and faultlessness, while others search out coins for their design or work of art. For instance, my outright most loved coin for configuration is the 1936 Commemorative Bay Bridge a large portion of a dollar.

 • Commemorative coins

During the 1930s, various recommendations for memorial coins showed up before the U.S. Congress. Albeit a considerable lot of the coinage bills had slender allure, they became law, and the U.S. Mint obediently struck the coins, which were then sold through wholesalers who included a premium over the presumptive worth of the coins. The gathering public paid the premium for the mint pieces and cheerfully added them to their assortments. In any case, after a short time, authorities properly griped of such many various coins and contended that theorists were controlling the business sectors and costs. The U.S. Mint got the clue, the surge of commemoratives eased back to a stream, and gatherers were upbeat once more.

 Aside from this before beginning an assortment of rare coins of the world, simply consider your choices and afterward google them. You can likewise look for help from an expert for it also.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

History of Indore state - its connection with the Holkars

Indore is the most crowded and the biggest city in the Indian province of Madhya Pradesh. It fills in as the central command of both Indore District and Indore Division. It is likewise both the business capital and instruction centre of the state. The history of Indore state follows its underlying foundations to its sixteenth century establishing as an exchanging centre between the Deccan and Delhi. 

The history of Indore state is indivisible from the historical backdrop of the Holkar dynasty. The originator of the Holkar line was Malhar Rao Holkar, conceived in 1693 AD. His soldierly characteristics carried him to the front line under the Peshwa and he was compensated with the endowment of domains involving the Indore district. Malhar Rao was prevailing by his grandson, on whose passing, without issue, his mom, Maharani Devi Ahilya Bai climbed the seat. 

The city and its environmental factors went under Hindu Maratha Empire on 18 May 1724 after Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I accepted the full control of Malwa. During the times of the British Raj, Indore State was a 19 Gun Salute (21 locally) august express (an uncommon high position) managed by the Holkar dynasty. Indore filled in as the capital of the Madhya Bharat from 1950 until 1956. 

Indore State

The history of Indore state uncovers that the predecessors of the authors of the city were the inherited Zamindars and indigenous landholders of Malwa. The groups of these landowners had a rich existence. They held their assets of eminence, including an elephant, Nishan, Danka, and Gadi even after the approach of the Holkar dynasty. They even held the privilege of playing out the first pooja of Dussehra. During Mughal rule, the families were conceded corroborative sands by the Emperors Aurangzeb, Alamgir, and Farukhshayar, affirming their 'Jagir' rights.

 The Holkar tradition of Indore participated in the fight against the Britishers in 1803. Their magnificence was levelled to tidy when they were at last beaten in the Third Anglo Maratha war IN 1817-1818. The Holkar tradition needed to concede destruction and surrender an enormous part of the regions under them. Matters went to an extraordinary when the English began mediating in their progression right. Two of the replacements resigned under puzzling conditions. The Indore history got murkier and dull as days passed by till the freedom of India when in 1947 the state went under the domain of India.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Old Indian Coinage and Their Exceptional Varieties

Indian coinage has always been a hot topic of discussion among numismatists and collectors all over the world. Let’s take a look at four ancient coins that were issued by four different dynasties like the Guptas, Western Kshatrapas, Satavahanas and Vrishnis.   

Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta – I

These amazing old Indian coins were issued under Kumaragupta – I (also known as Mahendraditya) of Gupta dynasty who ruled from 415 AD to 455 AD. This Gold dinar weighs around 7 to 8 grams and has a diameter that ranges from 19 to 22 millimetres. If you like researching about rare coins of ancient India, then this Gupta period Archer type variety B, is something you should definitely look out for. The obverse side is Die Struck featuring the King standing to the left, holding an arrow in his right hand and a bow in his left. The standard Garuda can be seen on the left. The word "Ku" is inscribed below the left hand while a crescent can be seen above. The uncertain legend starts with the texts "jayati mahitalam" and ends at "ptah". The reverse side depicts a Goddess sitting on a lotus, her right hand is empty. Legend in Brahmi reads "Shri - mahendrah"



Silver Drachma of Western Kshatrapas

This old coin of India was issued under a Western Kshatrapas – Kardamaka ruler named Damajadasri II. Damajadasri II ruled only for 1 year from 232 AD to 233 AD, due to which this Silver Drachma are considered to be special in the field of numismatics. This historical old Indian coins were die-struck in 1.96 to 2.35 grams of silver. It depicts the year date 154 according to Saka Calendar system. The obverse side depicts the king’s Bust with the Saka date behind the head. The reverse side depicts a three-arched hill, a crescent above; a river or a wavy line below and the sun. A Sanskrit inscription reads Rajno mahaksatrapasa Rudrasenaputrasa Rajna (or h) ksatrapasa Damajadasriyah.



Extremely Rare Potin Coin of Satavahana Ruler Pulumavi

These ancient Indian coins were issued under the Satavahana ruler Pulumavi. It is die-struck in 1 to 5 grams of Potin and has a diameter of 15 to 20 millimetres. The wonderful Indian Old Coins belong to the Elephant Type Class I series and are considered to be extremely rare. The obverse side depicts an elephant facing the right with an upraised trunk. A Brahmi legend reads "Rano siri Pulohamavisa". The reverse side depicts an Ujjain symbol with a pellet in each orb and a tree in a railing below. 



Silver Coin of Vrishnis

These ancient coins of India were issued by an anonymous ruler of Vrishnis dynasty somewhere around c.100 AD. They were die-struck in 2.15 grams of silver. The designs on these old coins in India are eye-catchy. The obverse side depicts the Nandipada standard in a railing with a composite animal, made of half lion and half elephant. A circular Brahmi legend reads 'Vrishni rajajna ganasya tratarasya'. The reverse side depicts a wheel with fourteen spokes and a circular Kharoshthi legend that reads 'Vrishni-rajanna-ganasa-tratarasa' within a pellet border.



Hope you enjoyed exploring these outstanding examples of ancient Indian coinage. Their designs and history symbolise our country’s cultural heritage.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Ancient Indian Coins And Their Innumerable Varieties

There has always been a good demand for old Indian coins in the field of numismatics. The main reason for this has been the fact that Indian history is thousands of years old. It has witnessed hundreds of dynasties, rulers and kingdoms since ancient times, each of which have issued various types of ancient Indian coins

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com
Coins of Ancient Janapadas:
Gandhara Janapada issued ancient coins of India from 600 BC to 300 BC. During the same era, several other Janapadas issued different kinds of coins within their own territories. These include Indian ancient coins of Magadha Janapada, Magadha-Mauryan, Kashi Janapada, Kuntala Janapada, Ayodhya Janapada, Vanga Janapada, Malla Janapada, Kosala Janapada, Vatsa Janapada, Kalinga Janapada, Avanti Janapada, Ashmaka Janapada, Andhra Janapada, Saurashtra Janapada, Kuru Janapada, Panchala Janapada, Shakya Janapada, Shurasena, Matsya, Chedi and Anga. These coins were issued using the punch-marked technique and featured unique interesting symbols on them.

Coins of Ancient Kingdoms:
Historical coins of India issued under the Gupta Empire from 320 AD to 550 AD are considered to be some of the most beautiful ancient coins of the world. Some of these rare historical coins are even sold by auction houses around the world for lakhs of rupees. Apart from Guptas, other kingdoms such as Western Kshatraps, Satavahanas, Kalachuri of Tripuri, Shuga etc also issued some really attractive Indian old Coins during this period.

Ancient Coins of South India and Invaders:
Pallavas, Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas were the most powerful ancient dynasties of South India. Apart from them, the Kadambas of Banvasis, Alupas, Ishvakus, Western Gangas also issued some brilliant ancient coins of India. The Indian subcontinent was invaded by several foreign powers from the northwest frontier. This gave rise to another category of ancient Indian coins. This category includes coins issued by the Indo-Greeks, Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Scythian, Kushan, Indo-Parthian, Huns, Sassanian Imitation and Kushano-Sassanian. There’s more! Ancient city states like Ancient City States of India like Eran, Taxila, Rajgir, Almora, Mathura, Ayodhya, Suktimati, Kolhapur, Ujjain, Erich, Kurapurika also issue some wonderful old Indian coins. 

All the categories that have been mentioned above are further divided into subcategories based on name of ruler under which the ancient coins of India were struck. It is almost impossible to study all these varieties of old historical coins at one go! You can pick up one category of your choice and study its history in detail. 

Friday, March 13, 2020

Explore History of Garhwal Kingdom

The History of Garhwal Kingdom appears to have been the most cherished locale for the voluminous folklore of the Puranic time frame. The customary name of Garhwal was Uttarakhand. Earthlings have revealed that it molded piece of the Mauryan Empire.

Through the ages, the development of human progress in history of Garhwal has been corresponding to the remainder of the Indian sub-mainland. Katyuri was the primary verifiable administration, which leads over brought together Uttarakhand and left some significant records as engravings and sanctuaries. In the later period after the destruction of Katyuri's, it is accepted that the Garhwal locale was divided in more than sixty-four territories managed by the Chieftain, one of the essential Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was administered by a relative of Kanakpal.

In the mid of the fifteenth century, Chandpurgarh developed as an amazing realm under the standard of Jagatpal, who was relative of Kanakpal. In the far end of the fifteenth century of history of Garhwal State, Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and prevailing with regards to bringing together and combining different territories on the area with in a Kingdom and his Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Along these lines, he had moved his capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar from 1506 to 1519 A.D.

Garhwal Kingdom
The Garhwal Kingdom was built up by Rajputs. Around 700 years back, one of these managers, Ajai Pal, decreased all the minor domains under him and set up the Garhwal State. He and his forerunners managed over Garhwal and the close by state of Tehri-Garhwal, in a persistent line till 1803, when the Gurkhas assaulted Kumaon and Garhwal, driving the Garhwal manager into the fields. For quite a while, the Gurkhas controlled the country with an iron post, until a movement of encroachments by them on the British space provoked the Gurkha War in 1814. Toward the finish of the fight, Garhwal and Kumaon were changed over into British districts, while the Tehri domain was reestablished to an offspring of the past chief.

At the hour of freedom, Garhwal, Almora and Nainital areas were regulated through the official of Kumaon division. In mid-1960, the Chamoli locale was cut out of Garhwal area. In 1969 Garhwal division was framed with its headquarter at Pauri. In the wake of bending out of seventy-two towns of Khirsu square of region Pauri Garwhal in 1998 for the making of another locale of Rudraprayag, the area is come to in its present structure.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Madurai History - Tale of 'the City of Nectar'

Madurai is one of the old urban areas of South India with a great history. It is well known for its reality acclaimed Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The city of Madurai has been developed as a lotus and is worked around the sanctuary. It is arranged on the banks of the stream Vaigai. Inferable from its rich social legacy and engineering magnificence, the city is regularly alluded to as the 'Athens of the East'. The Madurai history goes back to the Sangam time frame, the brilliant time of Tamil Literature.

Let’s take a brief look at the glorious story of the Madurai Sultanate.

Legend has it that Shiva showered drops of nectar from his locks on to the city, offering ascend to the name Madurai – 'the City of Nectar'.

Old reports record the history of Madurai Sultanate from the third century BC. It was an exchanging town, particularly in flavors, and as indicated by legend was home to the third Sangam. Throughout the hundreds of years Madurai went under the influence of the Cholas, Pandyas, neighborhood Muslim sultans, Hindu Vijayanagar lords, and the Nayaks, who administered until 1736 and set out the old city's lotus shape. The greater part of the Meenakshi Amman Temple was worked under Tirumalai Nayak, and Madurai turned into the center point of Tamil culture, assuming a significant job in the improvement of the Tamil language.

The year 1371 saw the defeat of the Tughlaks and Madurai Sultanate went under the rule of the Vijayanagar line of Hampi. Lords of this tradition left the caught land to governors called Nayaks, for the proficient administration of their realm. After the passing of Krishna Deva Raya in 1530 AD, the Nayaks got free and began administering the domains self-sufficiently. Among Nayaks, Thirumalai Nayak was the most famous one.

In 1781, the British designated George Procter to care for the city. He was the first collector in the Madurai history. In 1840 the British East India Company demolished Madurai's stronghold and filled in its canal. The four wide Veli lanes were developed on top and right up 'til the present time characterize the old city's cutoff points.

After the freedom of India, Madurai got one of the significant business locales of Tamil Nadu. It is encompassed by a few slopes, primarily Annamalai, Pasumalai and Nagamalai, named after their likeness to an Elephant, a Cow, and a Snake separately. The city is a significant exporter of Jasmine blossoms. Because of its recorded foundation, the sanctuary city of Madurai draws in a great many pioneers and guests consistently from India and abroad.

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Sirohi State History - A brief chapter in the Rajputana Agency

Indian history is filled with different states that wrote different important chapters of history. It’s time to unwind one such history, the Sirohi State history.

Sirohi city is one of the known names in the southern Rajasthan. Princely State of Sirohi is a managerial central command of Sirohi region which covers five tehsils-Abu Road, Sheoganj, Reodar, Pindwara, and Sirohi itself. The city has developed its name from "Siranwa" slopes on the western incline where it is arranged. The name Sirohi was gotten from head (Sir) of the desert (Rohi), as per Colonel Todd, who expounded on it in his book "Goes in Western India". Another anecdote about the inception of its name is that it got from "Sword". Deora Chauhans, the leader of Sirohi state were prominently known for their dauntlessness and acclaimed swords.

Sirohi State was a royal state in the Rajputana Agency in India with its capital at Sirohi. The state lost its freedom and turned into a British protectorate in 1823 when it was subsumed into the British Raj. Not long after Indian freedom in 1947, Sirohi state was converged with the Rajasthan State on 16 November 1949 and its reality reached a conclusion.

In 1405, Deora ruler Rao Sobhaji established the town of Shivpuri on the western incline of Siranwa Hill. Shivpuri today lies in ruins. In 1425, his child and successor, Sehastramal (or Sahastramal, Sehastramal), established a post on the eastern slant of a similar slope, which turned into his capital and developed into the present-day town of Sirohi. Rao Surtan of Sirohi vanquished the military of Mughal sovereign Akbar in the acclaimed skirmish of Dattani. The security of the British was looked for in 1817; the claims of Jodhpur to suzerainty over Sirohi were refused, and in 1823 a bargain was finished up with the British government. Sirohi turned into a self-overseeing august state inside British India, and part of the Rajputana Agency.

The coinage and postal history of the Princely State of Sirohi are uncommon. In any case, Sirohi State had likewise given Judicial or Court charges stamps for the income assortment or installment of the expenses dispensed by the state government. This stamp was being used from 1924 to 1941 AD. Sirohi as indicated by Colonel Mellson "Is the one territory in Rajputana which kept up its Independence, not recognize the suzerainty of Mughals, Rathores, and Marathas".

After the Independent in 1947, the province of Sirohi began the procedure to join the recently framed Indian Union and converged with Rajasthan state in 1949. If you want to read more about Sirohi State history, then just visit Mintage World. It is your online portal to all the history books.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Stamp Collecting Accessories to save and display your collection

Philately is a craftsmanship along with being a science. To completely appreciate every of the parts of this expanding pastime that is the most loved among individuals around the globe, you should have the essential materials for stamp gathering, saving and, obviously, displaying. In the event that you need to take your stamp gathering to an increasingly genuine level, you may likewise need to have a further developed arrangement of stamp collecting accessories available to you.

Regardless of whether you are simply beginning your philately voyage or you basically need to guarantee you have all that you have to proceed with your favored distraction, you should think about the fundamental stamp collecting supplies. For most stamp authorities, the idea of really contacting a stamp is out and out astonishing. The oils and trash on the skin can quickly begin to separate the stamp. You might not have acknowledged exactly how dangerous the sulfur discharged from your body can be to a stamp. This is the place where philatelic supplies become an integral factor. What might a stamp assortment be without an approach to exhibit it to the world? This is the place you'll need to buy a variety of stamp collecting accessories.

There is a wide assortment of stamps gathering collections and stamp binders available, for example, first-day spread collections or collections by nation and region. To figure out which sort of collection is most appropriate for your needs, think about the status of your assortment as a rule. For example, would you say you are gathering a specific sort of stamp? You might need to discover a stamp collecting albums. That is superbly appropriate for those stamps. Then again, in case you're simply gathering any stamps you find that hold an individual intrigue, a fundamental stamp gathering collection would be a superior wagered.

Image Courtesy: www.mintageworld.com
You are not expected to have a specific sort of stamp gathering collection or book, nor do you need to compose it in a specific way. However, you ought to consistently verify that any stamp stockbooks you purchase are intended to hold stamps and not authority's photos, postcards or present-day pictures. These are intended to keep your stamps sheltered and out of damage's way. They have different stamp stockpages to showcase your small collection properly.

There are also stamp collecting sheets which are somewhat not quite the same as books. They are independent stamp gathering materials, and they are great on the off chance that you are showing a magnificent example, or are preparing a stamp available to be purchased. All of these stamp collecting supplies are easily available in the market, both online and offline. So, with new knowledge now you can both safeguard and display collection in an elite manner.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Orchha History – A Brief Overview of Major Events

Every state in India gives us a kaleidoscopic overview of the vibrant cultures that exist in our country. Same is the case with Madhya Pradesh as well. Orchha was located in present-day Madhya Pradesh and is known for its beautiful forts, palaces and parks. Let’s explore Orchha history today and some of its most fascinating aspects.

Foundation:

Orchha state was formed in 1501 AD, way before the East India Company Rule was established in India. A Bundela chief named Rudra Pratap Singh was the first ruler of Orchha who started his regime in 1501 and continued ruling until 1531. He built a fort near the banks of River Betwa and also shifted the capital from Garhkundar to Orchha in 1531. This is considered as one of the turning points of Orchha princely state history.

Major Conflicts and Battles:

After the death of Rudra Pratap Singh, his son Bharatichand was enthroned as the next king. Works of a court poet named Keshavdas suggests that Bharatichand had to deal with attacks from the Afghan Ruler Islam Shah Suri. However, Bharatichand died without a successor and was taken over by Madhukar Shah, his younger brother.  According to Akbarnama, Madhukar had given away several regions of Orchha state to the Mughal Empire. Some experts believe that Madhukar had given away Orchha as a tributary state of Mughal Empire. However, a famous historian named Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni stated that he was a rebel in 1583.

Under Mughal Rule:

Orchha princely state fell into the hands of the vassal king of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Vir Singh Deo. He ruled until 1626/1627 and undertook the construction of architectural wonders such as Jahangir Mahal and Sawan Bhadon Mahal. Raja Jhujhar Singh started revolting against Shah Jahan and the Mughal Army occupied the state from 1635 to 1641. This was a major event in Orchha history. Raja Jhujhar Singh's brother was declared as the king. It was the only Bundela state which was never directly controlled by the Marathas in the 18th century. Tehri, Tikamgarh became the capital of Orchha state in 1783. Hamir Singh ruled from 1848 to 1874 and was given the title of Maharaja in 1865. Orchha and Datia invaded Jhansi in 1857 but were defeated by Rani Lakshmibai and her allies. Maharaja Pratap Singh became the next king in 1874 and worked hard to develop Orchha state by initiating several engineering and irrigation works.

Under Company Rule:

In 1908, the Orchha Princely State became a part of Bundelkhand Agency. Rulers of Orchha received a 15-gun salute and were called First of the Prince of Bundelkhand. It held the highest rank among all other states in Bundela. Pratap Singh was succeeded by Vir Singh, who merged the state with India on 1st January 1950. 

Monday, January 27, 2020

Dhar Princely State History and its beautiful coins

A princely state likewise considered an Indian express that was legitimately under the British was an ostensibly sovereign government under a nearby or territorial ruler in an auxiliary partnership with a more prominent force. In spite of the fact that the historical backdrop of the august conditions of the subcontinent dates from in any event the old style time of Indian history, the dominating utilization of the term regal state explicitly alludes to a semi-sovereign realm on the Indian subcontinent during the British Raj that was not straightforwardly represented by the British, but instead by a neighborhood ruler under a type of aberrant principle. In this era the Dhar Princely State History also had a strong hold.

The history of Dhar began when Parmar group Rajput leaders of the state asserted plunge from the incredible Vikramaditya and the Paramara lord Bhoja. The present Dhar administration was established in 1729 by Udaji Rao Puar, a recognized Maratha general who got the region as an award from the Peshwas. During the Pindhari strikes, the state's region was shaved away, until it was reestablished in size on 10 January 1819, when it consented to a Subsidiary union arrangement with the British East India Company and turned into a significant Princely state, getting a charge out of circuitous guideline under British protectorate. The name of the state was taken from the old city of Dharlong, popular as the capital of Parmar Rajputs. The state was appropriated for defiance in 1857 however was reestablished in 1864 with a decrease in the region.

Anand Rao ruled the Dhar History from 1860 to 1898 AD. During the rule, he gave gold, silver, and copper coins in the section of Paisa, Pice, and Annas. These coins bore the bust of Queen Victoria or Hanuman. Paisa was credited to the rule of Anand Rao III. The front of a coin delineated the hanuman with a standard running left while turn around recorded with Nagari legend 'Dhar' and date.

You can buy Indian Princely State Coins like these or more very easily at Mintage World. There are lot of beautiful coins for you to collect and beauty to your collection.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Sikh Empire History – Major Events and Turning Points

Sikhism is generally associated with the noble ideologies of compassion, love and generosity. The Sikh Community is always in the forefront when it comes to helping people and offering food during natural calamities, wars and other such unfortunate events all around the world. Today, let’s find out more about Sikh history and how this religion started flourishing.

Overview:

The Sikh empire was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in present-day Punjab. Ranjit Singh captured Lahore by defeating the Afghan king, Zaman Shah Durrani in 1799 which is considered as one of the turning points of Sikh empire history. At one point in time in the 19th century, it covered a large territory between Khyber Pass, Western Tibet, Mithankot and Kashmir. The secular empire welcomed and supported people belonging to different ethnicities and religions. The independent empire existed until 1849, after which it became one of the biggest territories to be annexed by the British.

Foundation:

After Aurangzeb’s death in the year 1707, the Mughal Empire started weakening. It was during this period that the Sikh Army or Dal Khalsa was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and final Sikh Guru. This was the most important institution in the history of Sikh. The Army defeated several Afghan rulers and also won battles against the Mughals. The army was later split into independent confederacies who took over different regions. From 1762 to 1799, there was an internal power struggle within the Sikh Empire between these confederacies.

It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who captured Lahore and defeated the Afghans once again in different encounters. He also unified the Sikh misls to become the Maharaja of Punjab on 12th April 1801. Ranjit Singh, also known as Sher-e-Punjab or “Lion of Punjab”, was the greatest ruler in Sikh Empire history, who strengthened his army with the help of improved training, weapons and artillery. He rebuilt Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar and other Gurudwaras like Takht Sri Patna Sahib in present-day Bihar and Hazur Sahib in Nanded. He was also responsible for introducing many cultural and infrastructural reforms.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh died on 27th June 1839 in Lahore, after which, the downfall of the Sikh Empire began due to internal conflicts. They were finally defeated by the British East India Company and the state was dissolved in 1849.