Current Context : The Prime Minister of Bhutan visited Nalanda University in Bihar. ABOUT NALANDA UNIVERSITY Founded: 5th Century by Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta. Type: World’s first residential university. Location: Rajgir, Bihar. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Patrons: King Harshavardhana (7th century), Pala rulers (8th–12th century). International Scholars: Came from China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia. Chinese scholar Xuanzang gave detailed account of Nalanda’s learning traditions. DECLINE Decline started in 9th century with changes in Buddhism. Finally destroyed around 1200 CE by Bakhtiyar Khilji.Read More

Current Context : India celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the “Grand Old Man of India”. ABOUT DADABHAI NAOROJI (1825–1917) SOCIAL REFORM Founded Literary and Scientific Society (1848) – established 6 girls’ schools by 1849. Founded Rast Goftar newspaper to spread reformist ideas. Co-founded Rahnumai Mazdayasan Sabha (1851) to reform Parsi society. ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS Drain of Wealth Theory – exposed how British drained India’s wealth. Writings: Poverty of India (1876), Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901). Raised India’s economic exploitation in forums like East India Association. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS Moderate Leader – believed in petitions,....Read More

Current Context : The Prime Minister greeted the nation, especially tribal communities, on the occasion of Karma Puja. About Karma Puja Also called Karam or Karam Parab. Type: Tribal festival linked with harvest and fertility. Sacred Symbol: Karam tree (represents prosperity and auspiciousness). Where Celebrated States: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam. Communities: Munda, Ho, Oraon, Baiga, Kharia, Santhal. Celebration Women sow seven types of grains a week before. A Karam tree branch is planted in the courtyard or akhra. Worship by the pahan (tribal priest) with flowers and songs. Ends with immersion of the branch in....Read More

Current Context Onam 2025 celebrations started in Kerala with the traditional Athachamayam procession in Tripunithura, marking the ceremonial curtain-raiser to the 10-day harvest festival. ABOUT ONAM Festival Type: Onam is the official state festival of Kerala—a major 10-day harvest festival celebrated with cultural fervor. Timing: Observed in August–September, falling in the Malayalam month of Chingam. It typically begins with the star day Atham and concludes on Thiruvonam, considered the most auspicious day. ABOUT ATHACHAMAYAM Location: Tripunithura, near Kochi, Kerala Historic Importance: Former royal capital of the Kochi kingdom; Athachamayam procession symbolized the king’s march to the Thrikkakara temple. Cultural Significance:....Read More

Current Context : A new Harappan site has been discovered at Ratadiya Ri Dheri in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. It is the first Indus Valley Civilization site found in the state’s desert region. ABOUT RATADIYA RI DHERI Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan Period: Belongs to the urban phase of the Indus Valley Civilization (2600–1900 BC) Type: A planned settlement from 4,500 years ago Significance Bridges the gap between older Harappan sites in northern Rajasthan and Gujarat Adds to the archaeological knowledge of Harappan expansion into desert areas OTHER INDUS VALLEY SITES IN RAJASTHAN Kalibangan: Located in northern Rajasthan Established around 2900....Read More

Current Context A stampede near Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed 8 lives and injured 28 others.  ABOUT Mansa Devi Temple Location: Situated on Bilwa Parvat (Sivalik Hills), Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also called Bilwa Tirth, one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) in Haridwar. Deities: Dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Goddess Durga). Also houses Goddess Chandi Devi. History & Features: Built between 1811-1815 by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra. Spans over 100 acres and follows the traditional North Indian temple style. A key centre of Shakti worship in northern India.Read More

Current Context: The Prime Minister of India recently visited the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, and offered prayers during an official tour.  ABOUT BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE (Peruvudaiyar Kovil) Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu – on the south bank of River Cauvery. Built By: Rajaraja Chola I (c. 1003–1010 CE) over 7 years. Architecture: Dravidian style, built entirely in granite with zero tilt design. Vimana (Tower): 216 ft tall — among the tallest stone towers globally. Capstone (Shikhara): ~80-ton granite block, placed using ancient lifting techniques. Shrine: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, features a 13-ft high Nandi carved from a single stone. Inscriptions:....Read More

Current Context: Tribal communities from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra gathered at Mangarh Dham to reiterate their demand for a separate Bhil Pradesh. About the Mangarh Massacre: Also known as the “Adivasi Jallianwala” (Adivasi equivalent of Jallianwala Bagh). The Bhils, inspired by reformer Govindgiri, gathered to oppose forced labour, heavy taxes, and princely exploitation. On 17 November 1913, despite British orders to disperse by 15 November, the tribes remained, triggering a violent crackdown. Govindgiri and his deputy Punja Pargi were arrested; Govindgiri was later sentenced to life imprisonment. The site, now known as Mangarh Dham, was declared a national....Read More

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mangal Pandey marking his 198th birth anniversary, honouring him as a pivotal warrior of India’s First War of Independence .  About Mangal Pandey: Born on 19 July 1827 in Nagwa, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. Served as a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry of the East India Company. He fired at British officers on 29 March 1857 at Barrackpore, protesting the use of greased Enfield rifle cartridges offensive to Hindu and Muslim beliefs. His defiance is widely considered the spark that ignited the 1857 Revolt (First War of Independence). He....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT: The four-day Behdienkhlam festival took place from 11–14 July 2025 in Jowai, Meghalaya. It celebrated traditional rituals aimed at driving away disease while marking the post-sowing season.  ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: Meaning & Timing: “Drive away plague” — a post-sowing ritual to ward off disease and bring blessings for a good harvest. Rituals: Young men beat rooftops with bamboo poles—a symbolic exorcism act. Decorative poles (‘Khnong’ and tall ‘Rots’) are paraded, then immersed in the Wah Aitnar pool on the final day. Dolois (priests) perform rites; women offer sacrificial food.Read More