Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

A ‘web trove’ of India’s glorious past

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

A `web trove' of India's glorious past

 

We are aware of the great Indian tradition and culture. But did you

know, blue jeans, the hallmark of American fashion, originated in

India? To learn more such interesting facts log on to

atributetohinduism.com.

 

N S SOUNDARA RAJAN

 

 

 

Atribute to Hinduisum is a treasure trove of facts and figures which

can enhance our awareness, multifold, about the great Indian

traditions we have inherited from time immemorial. Among the

numerous nuggets of bewildering and fascinating details arduously

compiled here, the following stand out.

 

Did you know Blue Jeans, the hallmark of American fashion,

originated in India? Yes! Blue Jeans, one of India's lasting

contributions to western life, was the export of a thick cotton

cloth known as `Dungaree' which, in the sixteenth century was sold

near the Dongarii Fort in Bombay. Portuguese and Genoan sailors used

this durable blue broad cloth, dyed with indigo, for their

bellbottom sailing pants.

We read, day in and day out, about the hue and cry over outsourcing

to India.

 

This is nothing new, two thousand years ago the Senate in Rome

passed an ordinance forbidding senators from wearing togas made from

Indian cloth - a legal effort to slow the flow of gold coins pouring

out of Roman coffers into India. The finest Damascus steel, the

world's first high-carbon steel, was a product of India and was

known as wootz, the English word for ukku in Kannada and Telugu,

meaning steel.

 

Indian steel was used for making swords and armour in Persia and

Arabia in ancient times. Ktesias at the court of Persia (5th century

BC) mentions two swords made of Indian steel which the Persian king

presented him. The pre-Islamic Arab word for sword is `muhannad'

meaning from Hind.

 

The Iron Pillar near the Qutb Minar was dug out in 1961 for chemical

treatment and preservation. The chemical analyses carried out

revealed that the pillar, despite exposure for 15 centuries, was

astonishingly pure or low in carbon compared with modern commercial

iron. Likewise, a slender iron pillar near the Mookambika temple

located in Kollur in Kodachadri Hills in Karnataka, a region which

is subjected to heavy monsoon rains, stands free of rust.

 

Those interested to know about the antiquity of Dwaraka could browse

a report and images on the latest excavations done by Dr S R Rao of

the Marine Archaeology Unit of the National Institute of

Oceanography of India. In his report Dr Rao observes: "The discovery

of the legendary city of Dwaraka which is said to have been founded

by Sri Krishna, is an important landmark in the history of India. It

has set to rest the doubts expressed by historians about the

historicity of Mahabharata and the very existence of Dwaraka city.

It has greatly narrowed the gap in Indian history by establishing

the continuity of the Indian civilisation from the Vedic Age to the

present day."

 

Ancient India's sea-faring capabilities have been much

underestimated by many western scholars. Chinese literary texts

refer to hectic maritime and trade activity between India and China

as far back as the 7th century BC. Indian traders would set sail

from the port of Mahabalipuram, carrying with them cinnamon, pepper

and their civilisation to the shores of Java, Cambodia and Bali.

Recent excavations in Philippines, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia

confirm of early and extensive trade which continued down to the

historical period. In the Hellenic world, the processions of Ptolemy

Philadelphus (285-246 BC) included these from India - women, hunting

dogs, cows and Indian spices carried on camels. And, many may be

unaware that India became the first power to defeat a European power

in a naval battle when Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Travancore,

routed an invading Dutch fleet in the `Battle of Colachel'.

 

At www.atributetohinduism.com one can go on meandering through a

plethora of factual and fascinating details about Beginning of

Indian Scientific Thought, Concept of Time, Physics, Mathematics,

Grammar, Science, Education, Chemistry and metallurgy, Shipbuilding

and Navigation, Medical Science, Astronomy, Fables, Music and Games,

Martial Arts, Philosophy, Government and Constitution, Law,

Democracy, Logic in ancient India, Religion, Art and Architecture,

Literature, Textiles and much more. The website site has also

catalogued thoughts of world-renowned intellectuals regarding

Hinduism, recommends books for further reading, and provides useful

links for further research. This website has been recognised as a

resource by many eminent organisations and institutions, among them,

The Yale Vedanta Society, Princeton University, Cornell University,

Glasgow University and Encyclopedia Britannica.

 

If you wish to educate yourself or your children about the richness,

depth and sheer diversity of Indian spiritual and scientific

traditions atributetohinduism.com is a great place to make a

beginning. A stupendous personal endeavour by Ms Sushama Londhe,

this website could go a long way to help remove some of the common

misconceptions and misinterpretations about our great legacy.

 

The author wishes to acknowledge the co-operation received from Ms

Sushama Londe (sagar) to write this article.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...