John Oldman Profile picture
Sep 12, 2021 7 tweets 3 min read Read on X
Hattusa was the capital of Hittites in the Bronze Age.

Discovered in 1834-35, it's ruins lie in the Boğazköy region of central Turkey.

Image of Lion gate at Hattusa.
At its peak, the city covered 1.8 sq km, surrounded by massive walls.

The city had a population of at least 40-50,000 people & inside the city there was the imperial residences, temples, people's quarters, etc.
At the centre of Hittite life was their religion.

The Hittites have been called ' People of a Thousand Gods', as they assimilated Gods of conquered people into their pantheon.

The most famous is the 'Storm God', who perhaps is the precursor to Zeus and Jupiter.
One of the great finds at Hattusa are the cuneiform clay tablets, popularly known as the 'Bogazköy Archive'.

The tablets contain information regarding diplomacy, contracts, correspondence, and the literature of the region.
The most important find among these tablets is the peace treaty between Hittites and the Egyptians, after the Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BCE.

The treaty signed in the year 1259 BCE, is the first recorded diplomatic treaty between two superpowers of the mediterranean.
A copy of this treaty is displayed prominently on the walls of UNO, NYC.
Hattusa was perhaps burnt down in the mayhem created in the aftermath of the Bronze Age collapse in c. 1200 BCE.

In 1986, the site was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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More from @PrasunNagar

Sep 4
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When did the Greek soldiers, who came with Alexander, leave India ?

Treaty of Babylon (323 BCE), formulated just after the death of Alexander, mentions 'India east of Indus' (till Beas river) belonging to the Greek empire. Image
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The treaty of Triparadisus (321 BCE) which further partitioned Alexander's empire among his generals, doesn't include any regions east of Indus.

This signified the independence of these eastern regions from Greek rule. Image
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So, between 325 BCE -321 BCE, the 'tall poppies of Greek imperialism' were cut down by the revolutionaries led by Chandragupta.

Greeks 'West of Indus' continued their presence, but left along with Eudemus & Peithon in c. 317 BCE to participate in the 'Diadochi Wars'.
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Causes of the Decline of Mauryan Empire

The thread would look at the causes, which led to the decline & ultimately the end of Mauryan rule in India.

It would explain 5 reasons which all came together in the 2nd century BCE, ending the greatest empire, which India ever had.

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The Mauryan empire (322-185 BCE) is the largest empire of India.

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Daily Routine of Krishnadeva Raya

The thread would detail the daily routine of Emperor Krishnadeva Raya.

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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.

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Ravana lifting Kailasha: A Commentary

The thread would detail a rock cut sculpture of Ravana trying to lift the Kailasha mountain at Ellora caves, Maharashtra

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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.
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Ancient Indian Dishes

The thread would list some of the ancient Indian dishes and their method of preparation.

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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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