Siege of Antioch, 1098 AD, between Crusaders and Turks, led by Yagi Siyan.
After months of siege, the crusaders bribed a gatekeeper named Firoz.
They then entered the city, at night and massacred every Muslim, Jew they could find.
However, the Crusaders were themselves besieged by Karbogha, a warlord, who came to help the Muslims.
The crusaders tried diplomacy with Karbogha, but it was unsuccessful.
Their supplies were running out and they had only 200 horses left.
At this moment, a pilgrim named Peter Bartholomew came forward claiming to have had visions of St. Andrew, who told him that the Holy Lance was inside the city.
He along with some of his disciplines, went inside the church, dug up the earth and came out with rusty piece of metal
Peter proclaimed that this relic was the holy spear --- the spear that was used to stab Christ's body, as he lay on the cross.
Christians got their mojjo back and with increased religious fervor they decided to attack the Muslims camped outside the city gates.
With the Holy Spear, the Christians opened the city gates, and marched out to confront Karbhoga's arny.
Karbhoga did not attack them at this point, but allowed the Christians to assemble in full battle arrey.
The Christian sources speak of another miracle, which they saw.
The Christians had visions of three saints riding along with them: St. George, St. Mercurius, and St. Demetrius, on white horses & dressed in white.
Karbogha's army didn't attack them piece-meal, but in isolation, & superior Christian discipline routed the disorganized Muslims.
Karbogha's army fled back in terror, and the Crusaders created a Crusader State named 'Principality of Antioch'.
Bohemond of Tarento was given Antioch, which his successors ruled for decades.
End
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Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller, who visited Vijaynagara in c. 1520 and has left a detailed and vivid description of Vijaynagara and the emperor.
His account is one of the very few descriptions of Vijaynagara by a foreign traveller.
Appearance of Raya
This is what Paes says about the Emperors' appearance:
"The king is of medium height, has a fair complexion and a good figure. He is of cheerful disposition, honours foreigners, receives them kindly and asks all about their affairs.... "
The story is taken from Ramayana, where Ravana, because of his victories against Gods and humans becomes so arrogant that he now wants to lift up the Kailasha, which is an abode of his benefactor God, Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Let's look at the details of this sculpture, which is at cave number 29, Ellora.
The thread would list few of the greatest traitors of India, whose acts allowed foreign rule of the country, for which they were rewarded by the invaders.
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1. Sanggaios or Sanjaya (c. 327 BCE)
Sanggaios was a chieftain under 'Astes' or 'Hastin' during Alexander's invasion.
He betrayed his master and joined the Greeks, who captured the city.
Sanggaios was later given administration of the fallen city by Alexander.
2. Sisicottus or Sasigupta (c. 326 BCE)
Sasigupta was a chieftain of NW of India & helped Alexander during his invasion.
He was an agent of Greek imperialism, who also helped Alexander crush rebellion of Ashvanayas.
He was rewarded with regions like Rock of Aronos to govern.
The thread would detail many of the unknown facts about Gupta empire, which ruled whole of the subcontinent, directly or indirectly, including it's political, cultural, facets.
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1. Gupta Calender
Gupta calender, which started in 319 AD, was officially started by Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375/380-414 AD).
His Mathura pillar inscription of 380, denotes the date of "year 61", corresponding to 319 AD, in which we first come across the Gupta calender.
3. Succession
Gupta emperors got the throne by merit, rather than being the eldest.
Samudragupta may not have been the eldest son of Chandragupta-I, but yet was given the throne.
Similarly, Skandagupta was not the eldest son of Kumaragupta-I, but became an emperor.