One of the most popular things for a traveler is to explore the narrow gullys, and pathways.
The houses adjoining these gullys, nooks have some incredible stories attached to it.
One of the story concerns a Golden Deer!
The story is of around 1770's Varanasi, when the East India Company was fighting to ensure their hegemony in the Indo-Gangatic plains.
They were up against Raja Chait Singh of Benaras ( Died 1810).
During one of these struggles with Chait Singh, the EIC lost and their Governor General, Warren Hastings had to flee the battlefield.
In his wanderings, he came to an area called Bansphatak, which is about 50 odd meters from the famus temple of Shiva.
A house-dweller at Bansphatak, gave refuge to Hastings in his need of hour, and after 2-3 days he shipped off Hastings in a palanquin towards Gwalior, and this saved his life.
Afterwards, when EIC had won, in gratitude, Warren Hastings gave an area of at least 20 sq miles as a gift to this house-dweller.
The person and his descendants got exceedingly rich in a matter of few decades.
However, one small secret from their house filtered out!
That little secret was a store-room at the house, which contained lots of treasures, like diamonds, jewels, gold, pearls of intricate designs, and most importantly a deer, made of solid gold!
However, no one, including the persons living in the house are allowed to enter the store-house.
The legend goes that if anyone tries to pick up the treasure, the golden deer speaks and demands the sacrifice of the eldest son or daughter of the person who wants the treasure.
If anyone tries to ignore the warnings, the door shuts off automatically, and traps the person inside.
Even now, the room is still there, after all these years, but locked from outside and no one is allowed to enter it!
End
P. S: The escape of Hastings gave rise to the popular saying,"Godhe Pe Hawda, Haathi pe Jeen, Aise Bhaga Warren Hastings".
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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.
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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.
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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'.
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.