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HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY
Welcome to India or Indi as the Greeks referred to it
since it was a land on the banks of the river Indus. Other names for
India are Bharat (named after a great ruler) and Hindustan (land of the
Hindus). The concept of one country or India developed during the
struggle for Independence in the 19th Century, prior to which India was
an amalgamation of various kingdoms and princely states or territories.
The spirit of India has fascinated the world with its mystique.
A subcontinent with a 5000 year old history; a
civilization united by its diversity. India's history and culture is
ancient and dynamic, spanning back to the beginning of human
civilization. A visit to India is to experience the richness of culture,
the glory of the past, the turbulences and triumphs. The landmarks of
each era, the achievements of each age, the legacy of the regime.
India's history is more than just a set of unique developments in a
definable process; it is, in many ways, a microcosm of human history
itself, a diversity of cultures all impinging on a great people and
being reforged into new, syncretic forms. Placed in the center of Asia,
history in India is a crossroads of cultures from China to Europe, and
the most significant Asian connection with the cultures of Africa. The
history of India is one punctuated by constant integration with
migrating peoples and with the diverse cultures that surround India.
The History of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley
Civilization in such sites as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Lothal, and the
coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the
pre-Vedic and Vedic periods. It is in the Vedic period that Hinduism
first arose: this is the time to which the Vedas are dated.
In the 5th century, large parts of India were united under Ashoka. He
also converted to Buddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism spread
to other parts of Asia. It is in the reign of the Mauryas that Hinduism
took the shape that fundamentally informs the religion down to the
present day.
Islam first came to India in the 8th century, and by the 11th century
had firmly established itself in India as a political force; the North
Indian dynasties of the Lodhis, Tughlaqs, and numerous others, whose
remains are visible in Delhi and scattered elsewhere around North India,
were finally succeeded by the Mughal empire, under which India once
again achieved a large measure of political unity.
The European presence in India dates to the 17th century and it is in
the latter part of this century that the Mughal Empire began to
disintegrate, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for
supremacy, the English emerged 'victors', their rule marked by the
conquests at the battlefields of Plassey and Buxar.
The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was
crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of
India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete.
Successive campaigns had the effect of driving the British out of India
in 1947. India regained independence in 1947, after being partitioned
into the Republic of India and Pakistan.
Now a brief history of Kolkata, where you will be spending a minimum of
4 weeks during the course. The city of Calcutta was founded by a
British, Job Charnock who bought the three villages of Gobindopur,
Shutanuti and Kolikata for a paltry sum of money. Since the East had
become the center of trade for the East India Company as they had
received a ‘firman’ or license to trade free in Bengal from the ruler.
Later Bengal developed as the seat of British Power and Calcutta as it
was christened by the British became the hub of socio- cultural life.
Evidence of European influence can be seen in the city architecture,
food, names of streets, education, clubs and social life even today. |
Earn $300/Month for 3-6 months
