Bhartiya parents used to impart moral education to their child's very early through stories of Panchtantra, also known as the "Five Moral Conduct," is all about.
It originated in India 5000 yrs ago and spread in the world.
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The earliest of Panchtantra tales is found from the potteries excavated in Lothal. It has stories of crows, fox and pigeons. The potteries dates at least 4500 years old when it was baked in a kiln. It survived somehow. #Archaeology IAR-Lothal
The original Panchatantra composed in Sanskrit has been lost. The earliest written surviving Pahlavi version was composed before 570 CE, while the present translation has been reconstructed from the Arabic and Syrian version
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It is said that that Sanskrit Panchatantra was written by Vishnu Sharman (1300bce-300ce) to teach Arthshastra to 3 fool son of a king called Amarashakti of Mahilaropa, Vishnu wrote five core stories.
This ver. was translated transmitted to Persia, Egypt, Syria and Europe.
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The first translation from the original Sanskrit text into Pahlavi (Middle Persian) was that of a Persian court physician named Borzui (Burzuyeh or Burzoe, 531–579). His translation, which he named Karataka and Damanaka
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Ibn al-Muqaffa Zoroastrian convert to lslam (720– c.757) expanded the moral aspect by adding the story of Dimna’s crimes, his trial, and his punishment, which were widely illustrated.
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Panchtantra migrated to the West as Christian parable of Barlaam and Josaphat
CC BY-SA 3.0
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Durgasimha’s Panchatantra (c. 1025–31 CE ) written in Kannada, the dialect native to Karnataka, and the Sanskrit Tantropakhyana (before 1200 CE ), spread to Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia. Eighteen of the stories known in India are also found in Indonesia
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Within South and East Asia, the Panchatantra was translated into the Newari language of Nepal and it is claimed that it was translated into Chinese by the last decade of the fifth century CE
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The Panchtantra tales can be found on artefacts from 2500 bce to 200 bce and on temple walls from 7 th century.
This one from a Chandraketugarh vase. A Monkey is seen riding a Crocodile.
2nd century CE.
Credit @Shubh31209361 #Archaeology#Hindutva#हिंदुत्व
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In this Tantri tale, the turtle is escaping from hunters thanks to two geese, who bear him aloft on a stick. Turtle opens its jaw to brag and falls to death
Tantri Tale. Nalanda. 7th century ce
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8th century #Panchatantra legends panels at Virupaksha Shaivism temple, Pattadakal Hindu monuments Karnataka
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The monkey crocodile friendship story ( Panchatantra written by Vishnu Sharma ) carved on the temple wall of mukteshwar , Bhubaneswar
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Kopeshver Temple, Khidrapur, 11th -12th c., shows the tale of the Tortoise and Birds
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Panchtantra Panels on Tripurantaka Temple (Tripurantakesvara or Tripurantakeshwara) was built around c. 1070 CE by the Western Chalukyas 1. Crow & Pitcher 2. Tortoise and two geese. 3. Monkey and a crocodile
This temple is in dialipilated condition now thanks 2 @ASIGoI
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Panchatantra relief at the Mendut temple, Central Java, Indonesia
A Yogi Torgoise and a Crab can be seen in this relief
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"Guide for Human Life" "Dectorium humanae vite" inspired by Giovanni, da Capua, active 13th century Compiler was published in Strasbourg in 1489. loc.gov/resource/gdcwd…
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Meeting of the jackal and the bull (Damanaka and Sanjivaka).
Executed in 1610 for Tana Sahib, the last Rajah of Golconda
The British Museum (Add. MS., 18,579)."
I remember "Moral Science" used to be impartd to primary students till 1980s. What happened later god knows?
So an essential Moral Education "Panchtantra" is now on verge of extinction and so does the Moral values.
1️⃣ The Archaeological Survey of India won't reveal the true story of Rohtasgarh Fort.
- Ancient Times: Legend has it that Rohtasgarh was established by Rohitashva, the son of the mythical Suryavanshi ruler Harishchandra, which inspired the area's name. However, since there are no definitive ruins from before the 7th century, its early history remains enigmatic.
Imagery AI Created
2️⃣ An ancient inscription traces back to Mahasamanta Shashankadava, believed to be connected to Shashanka, the Gauda monarch. Around the 13th century, the Khayaravala dynasty, which likely had ties to local Kharwar tribes, governed the area. A notable inscription from 1223 CE references Shri Pratapa, who triumphed over a Muslim "Yavana" force. The royal seal features a humped bull as its emblem.
3️⃣ - in 1539, the fort transitioned from Hindu rulers to Sher Shah Suri, who took over Rohtasgarh through cunning, disguising his soldiers as a party seeking asylum for his family and valuables using palanquins. under his command, the fort became a heavily fortified site housing a 10,000-man garrison. within its walls, in 1543, his general Haibat Khan erected the Jami Masjid.
1️⃣ In Goa, Hindu communities embrace an age-old custom of venerating anthills, considering them sacred representations of the Earth Goddess. Locally referred to as Sateri (Santeri), Bhoomika, Ela, among other names, these anthills are honored as symbols of mother earth's divinity. The village name "Bhoma" in Goa is rooted in this reverence, connecting back to Bhoomi (Earth). One notable example is the revered anthill in Virnoda, Goa.
2️⃣ The revered structures are termite mounds, not ant hills, as termites and ants are biologically different species. In Konkani, "ro’in" signifies anthills, which historically connects to the Austric-rooted word "Rono," meaning "full of holes."
3️⃣ For centuries, anthill veneration has been intertwined with Hindu customs surrounding events such as birth, marriage, illness, death, protection against malevolence, the consecration of temples, and ensuring prosperity. In Goa, the village of Virnoda hosts a prominent site of ancient anthill worship, and this practice is also honored at the Sateri temple in Morjim, even as some of these temples have fallen into decline.
1️⃣ # Victorian Code of Modesty: A Thread on Female Status and personal Life vs Men
## The Hidden Reality Behind Victorian "Virtue"
The Victorian era (1837-1901) created one of history's most elaborate systems of female subjugation, disguised as moral protection. While we often picture prudish women fainting at exposed ankles, the reality was a calculated legal, medical, and social framework that stripped women of personhood while claiming to honor their virtue.
This should be bookmarked for future references. RT max
2️⃣ ## The Doctrine of Separate Spheres: Biology as Destiny
Victorian society was built on the "doctrine of separate spheres"- the belief that men and women were naturally designed for completely different roles:
**Men's Domain:**
- Public sphere (politics, business, law, commerce)
- Active, rational, progressive nature
- Financial providers and decision-makers
- Natural sexual beings with legitimate desires
**Women's Domain:**
- Private sphere (home, family, religion)
- Passive, emotional, nurturing nature
- Moral guardians without sexual feelings
- Dependent beings requiring male protection
This wasn't merely social convention - Victorians believed it was **biological destiny**[4]. As one Victorian theorist declared: "The man's power is active, progressive, defensive... but the woman's power is for rule, not for battle"[5].
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## The Victorian Code of Modesty: Control Through Clothing
### Physical Restrictions Disguised as Virtue
Victorian women's clothing literally embodied their oppression:
- **Complete body coverage:** High necklines, long sleeves, floor-length skirts
- **Multiple daily changes:** Different outfits for morning visits, afternoon activities, evening events
- **Restrictive undergarments:** Corsets so tight they caused fainting and required male assistance for movement
- **Covered extremities:** Gloves mandatory, exposed ankles scandalous
The cruel irony? Evening wear often featured low necklines and bare arms[8] - modesty was situational, serving male convenience rather than moral consistency.
### Behavioral Control Through Etiquette
Conduct manuals dictated every aspect of a lady's existence[9][10][11]:
- **"Tip her tongue with silence"** - women should be seen, not heard[9]
- **No political or religious opinions** - these were exclusively male domains
- **Avoid "jolly" behavior** - too much personality was unseemly[9]
- **Limited social activities** - theater and public gatherings could "corrupt"[9]
- **Perfect domestic submission** - entire identity centered on serving others
As one etiquette guide instructed: "Rather be silent than talk nonsense"[12], revealing the assumption that women's thoughts were inherently foolish.
AKTC is a philanthropic agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded in 1988 in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim to revitalize historic cities, conserve monuments, and leverage culture for community development.
2️⃣ Who Founded AKTC?
AKTC was created by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims, as part of AKDN’s broader mandate to improve welfare in Asia and Africa.
3️⃣ Why was AKTC Formed?
Its mission: To preserve and restore heritage sites, recognize architectural excellence (Aga Khan Award for Architecture), and integrate cultural revitalization into broader efforts of poverty alleviation and urban renewal in developing countries.
1/ 🧵Colonial Science & Caste: A Madras Observatory Story
How did Brahmins become human instruments of empire? A thread on caste, race, and the strange machinery of colonial astronomy in India. 👇
2/ Brahmin as Tools
The Madras Observatory served as more than just a center for astronomical study; it was where colonial science intersected with issues of caste and ethnicity. Brahmins were chosen not solely for their expertise, but for their skills in calculation, documentation, and adherence to orders. They gradually became regarded less as intellectuals and more as automated entities—akin to "human substitutes for self-recording devices."
Despite their crucial contributions, Indian assistants were often reduced to mere 'tools' or machines, with their wisdom and independence minimized in official narratives.
3/ The Observatory's social framework aimed to bolster tax assessments and required individuals who could navigate both Indian and European spheres. Thus emerged the "half-caste" computers. These intermediaries served as vital links between the two communities. Mixed-race aides were initially pivotal in calculations and teaching. However, issues of trust and racial hierarchy eventually led Europeans to dominate certain roles, causing the system to unravel.
Join me in celebrating the 132nd Birth Anniversary of Paramananda Acharya, a trailblazer in Odisha Archaeology.
Discover the legacy of this Padma Shri awardee in putting Odisha in the map of #Archaeology 🎉🔍
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Paramananda is renowned for restoring the Khiching temple in Mayurbhanj, which is crafted from green stone (chlorite slabs). He embarked on extensive jungle journeys by bicycle, often lasting days, to transform the ruins into a revitalized mandir.
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He gave a new history of Odisha based on the scientific study of archaeological evidences found from excavations in the valleys of Baitarani, Brahmani and Mahanadi rivers