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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Sep 14

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.

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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.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Sep 13

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.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Sep 12

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].

3️⃣
## 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.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Sep 12

1️⃣ What is Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)?

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.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Sep 10

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.

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GemsOfINDOLOGY

@GemsOfINDOLOGY

Aug 31

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 🎉🔍

1/9

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.

2/9

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

3/9

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