A half-warmed fish

Chola ( The Lost ) Empire

2005-10-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

After a long time, I finally got to posting something. This time round too it was the mystic lost empire that caught my eyes.

The Lost Empire (South India) - The Independent,
This article appeared in The Independent,United Kingdom.The lost empire explored By David Keys Deep in the south of India lie the spectacular remains of one of the world's most remarkable and most forgotten civilsations. In its heyday it was one of the half-dozen greatest powers on Earth. It controlled half a million square miles - more than five times the size of Britain. And under its wing literacy and the arts flourished. Yet today, 1,000 years later, the Chola Empire is remembered only by a handful of specialist historians. If it had been European, or had given its name to some still-surviving nation, things might be different. But despite 400 years of glory, the Chola Empire disappeared from history; a sad fate for a civilisation which was among the most remarkable produced by the medieval world. In some ways, it was the most significant of the dozen or so empires which rose and fell during India's long, tumultuous history. It lasted some 460 years, longer than any of them. The Chola was also the only Asian empire (bar the Japanese) to have indulged, albeit briefly, in overseas expansion. It conquered Sri Lanka, the Andaman and Nicobar islands and, temporarily, parts of south-east Asia - the islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali, and the southern part of the Malay peninsula. Most of these overseas conquests are shrouded in mystery. All that is known is that, in 1025, the Chola emperor Rajendra I dispatched an army, presumably on a large fleet, across 2000 miles of ocean to conquer the southern half of south-east Asia. The records show that he succeeded and received the submission of large numbers of cities. Some historians believe that the Cholas then simply sailed back to India, but others suspect that Chola power persisted in some form in south-east Asia for two or three generations.
already started and which linked southern India and south-east Asia \r\ntogether in terms of trade and religion. The Indonesia/Malay region was a pivotal point in trade between China and India (and, indeed, the West), and both Java and Bali were largely Hindu. Rajendra\'s conquest was \r\nperhaps the first military expression of a more general connection which had been developing for centuries. Closer to home, in Sri Lanka, the Cholas\' overseas expansion is better documented, both in text, and in stone. Tourists today can still \r\nexplore the great ruined city of Polonnaruva, founded by the Cholas as a capital for their newly conquered island territory. But the emperor\'s armies didn\'t only head southwards. In the early 11th century, Chola forces marched almost 1000 miles through India to the \r\nbanks of the Ganges. Like the south-east Asian conquest, this epic \'\'long march\'\' is also shrouded in mystery. Whether the emperor\'s objectives in marching an armyto the sacred river were political or purely religious is unknown. \r\nCertainly, the north of India, though temporarily subdued, was not incorporated into the empire - although holy Ganges water was carried back to a great new capital named in honour of the sacred river, and the ruler \r\nwho had conquered it. This capital was called Gangaikondacholapuram - literally \'\'the City to which the Chola emperor brought the Ganges\'\'. At the centre of their new metropolis, the Cholas built a magnificent temple and a vast three \r\nmile-long reservoir symbolically to hold the \'\'captured\'\' waters of the Ganges. Both have survived. Under Chola rule, religion and politics grew ever closer together, with the emperor projecting himself as the \r\nrepresentative, almost a manifestation, of God on Earth. Large temples were built, for the first time, as royal establishments. The Cholas probably built more temples than any other Indian kingdom or empire. Each temple \r\n",1]
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Certainly, the Chola conquest contributed to a long process that had already started and which linked southern India and south-east Asia together in terms of trade and religion. The Indonesia/Malay region was a pivotal point in trade between China and India (and, indeed, the West), and both Java and Bali were largely Hindu. Rajendra's conquest was perhaps the first military expression of a more general connection which had been developing for centuries. Closer to home, in Sri Lanka, the Cholas' overseas expansion is better documented, both in text, and in stone. Tourists today can still explore the great ruined city of Polonnaruva, founded by the Cholas as a capital for their newly conquered island territory. But the emperor's armies didn't only head southwards. In the early 11th century, Chola forces marched almost 1000 miles through India to the banks of the Ganges. Like the south-east Asian conquest, this epic ''long march'' is also shrouded in mystery. Whether the emperor's objectives in marching an armyto the sacred river were political or purely religious is unknown. Certainly, the north of India, though temporarily subdued, was not incorporated into the empire - although holy Ganges water was carried back to a great new capital named in honour of the sacred river, and the ruler who had conquered it. This capital was called Gangaikondacholapuram - literally ''the City to which the Chola emperor brought the Ganges''. At the centre of their new metropolis, the Cholas built a magnificent temple and a vast three mile-long reservoir symbolically to hold the ''captured'' waters of the Ganges. Both have survived. Under Chola rule, religion and politics grew ever closer together, with the emperor projecting himself as the representative, almost a manifestation, of God on Earth. Large temples were built, for the first time, as royal establishments. The Cholas probably built more temples than any other Indian kingdom or empire. Each temple
was a masterpiece. Even today, the Chola heartland - along the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu - is full of beautiful, delicately carved temples, some the size of tiny chapels, others as big as European \r\ncathedrals. In the very centre of what was the empire, there are still 40 Chola temples in an area half the size of greater London. The most spectacular structure is the 63m-high pyramid- shaped centralshrine in the \r\ncity of Thanjavur, the Chola capital before Gangaikondacholapuram. Chola art and architecture were among the finest in the world. Indeed, in cast bronze sculpture and hard-stone sculpture, Chola art is unsurpassed. Millions of figures, deftly carved in granite, can still be seen \r\non their temples, while in museums, in Thanjavur and Madras, visitors can marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship of the bronze figurines and statues. The Cholas not only nurtured an artistic boom; they also fostered a \r\nmassive expansion in education. Political stability and imperial grants - both to the temples which ran education and to the students themselves - led to the expansion of local schools and elite colleges for higher \r\ncastes. The education system - which operated from a religious perspective but also promoted literacy, mathematics and astronomy - was probably, at least in part, responsible for the development of a competent \r\nimperial administration and broadened international horizons. Some estimates suggest that literacy rose to around 20 per cent - perhaps the highest in the medieval world. The empire also increased the importance and institutionalisation of \r\nlocal government. Each group of five to 10 villages had an elected district council, which in turn had endless sub-committees dealing with everything from land rights to irrigation, law and order to food storage. \r\nEvery household in a district had the right to vote - and the councils enjoyed considerable power. The Chola emperors encouraged their ",1]
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was a masterpiece. Even today, the Chola heartland - along the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu - is full of beautiful, delicately carved temples, some the size of tiny chapels, others as big as European cathedrals. In the very centre of what was the empire, there are still 40 Chola temples in an area half the size of greater London. The most spectacular structure is the 63m-high pyramid- shaped centralshrine in the city of Thanjavur, the Chola capital before Gangaikondacholapuram. Chola art and architecture were among the finest in the world. Indeed, in cast bronze sculpture and hard-stone sculpture, Chola art is unsurpassed. Millions of figures, deftly carved in granite, can still be seen on their temples, while in museums, in Thanjavur and Madras, visitors can marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship of the bronze figurines and statues. The Cholas not only nurtured an artistic boom; they also fostered a massive expansion in education. Political stability and imperial grants - both to the temples which ran education and to the students themselves - led to the expansion of local schools and elite colleges for higher castes. The education system - which operated from a religious perspective but also promoted literacy, mathematics and astronomy - was probably, at least in part, responsible for the development of a competent imperial administration and broadened international horizons. Some estimates suggest that literacy rose to around 20 per cent - perhaps the highest in the medieval world. The empire also increased the importance and institutionalisation of local government. Each group of five to 10 villages had an elected district council, which in turn had endless sub-committees dealing with everything from land rights to irrigation, law and order to food storage. Every household in a district had the right to vote - and the councils enjoyed considerable power. The Chola emperors encouraged their
development, probably as a counter-balance to the power of local vassal rulers, \r\nwho owed obedience to the empire. Although the Cholas ruled for more than four centuries, they did so with a remarkable light touch. Local responsibility for local affairs was encouraged, and newly conquered local rulers were allowed to keep their \r\ntitles and lands, though under ultimate Chola control. The light touch was brought even to waging war. The Cholas exemplified the Indian principle of war - the dharma yuddha, literally, the principle of the fair fight. Battles were normally pre- arranged and fought in \r\ndaylight on a level field between equal numbers of troops. Defeated princes could carry on living and prospering.Presiding over this mixture of autocracy and democracy, a cocktail of religious orthodoxy and dissidence, and a surge of artistic creativity \r\nthe Chola emperors considered themselves the rulers of the world. They did, of course, look on India as the Continent of the Cosmos. Yet now they are forgotten, their achievements ignored by the world. There is not one book in print on the Chola Empire; nor a travel-company \r\ntour to most of their extraordinary temples. About the writer David Keys is archaeology correspondent of the London daily paper The Independent. He is a leading TV archaeological consultant. He has \r\nvisited over one thousand archaeological sites in sixty countries.",1]
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development, probably as a counter-balance to the power of local vassal rulers, who owed obedience to the empire. Although the Cholas ruled for more than four centuries, they did so with a remarkable light touch. Local responsibility for local affairs was encouraged, and newly conquered local rulers were allowed to keep their titles and lands, though under ultimate Chola control. The light touch was brought even to waging war. The Cholas exemplified the Indian principle of war - the dharma yuddha, literally, the principle of the fair fight. Battles were normally pre- arranged and fought in daylight on a level field between equal numbers of troops. Defeated princes could carry on living and prospering.Presiding over this mixture of autocracy and democracy, a cocktail of religious orthodoxy and dissidence, and a surge of artistic creativity the Chola emperors considered themselves the rulers of the world. They did, of course, look on India as the Continent of the Cosmos. Yet now they are forgotten, their achievements ignored by the world. There is not one book in print on the Chola Empire; nor a travel-company tour to most of their extraordinary temples. About the writer David Keys is archaeology correspondent of the London daily paper The Independent. He is a leading TV archaeological consultant. He has visited over one thousand archaeological sites in sixty countries.

OnWard to Brundisium..

2004-09-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Definitely not to the far reaches of the Roman empire but this is about the lil road trip that me and a couple of my pals plan to undertake begining this friday.

I was wondering what the best way was for me to keep in touch with the folks back home so that I can address a large group without having to spend a ton on making calls and it struck me that blogging could be one of the answer. As a bonus, this also serves as a quick diary/travelogue for the trip that could hopefully help more roadics out there. Also,since my fate is intricately intervowen with the IT industry, I am curious to find out her reach here in India. I know that I might be expecting too much, but let us see what happens...

The plans are for a 9 day trip to the far reaches of Rajastan and back. The mode of transport - a standard white 2002 Maruti 800. No Frills. The total distance that we plan to cover is about 6000 Kms give or take a few hundred.That would workout to an average of about 750 Kms a day or 15-18 hours of driving, giving us just enough time to hit the sack at the end of the day.
The plan obviously is not for a guided tour or a sight seeing trip but to exprience the thrill of amazingly long rides across India.

Here are excerpts from a few of the mails that Rajesh,Manjunath and myself have been exchanging over the last few days and this should speak volumes about the philosophy behind the drive.

Quote:-

Guys.. (no gals yet),dudes and hopeful gentlemen,
Four scores and a couple of days ago, our history witnessed us unanimously
take arms against this oppression of the rut of duty and the impending
dangers of married lives. It was the day when our petty differences and
lack
of leaves were no longer of any significance. We owed to survive and hold
on
to the last straw and convert it into the Ark that history would remember.
To surpass all odds( Read Managers and nostril problems) and come out on
top. IT was the day when we said that we would no longer go into the nights
without a fight - That we were going to move on and we were going to
survive.....
The time has come to celebrate our "Independence Day" !!!!!!

May the preparations begin.

end Quote

Quote

Before the reign of absolute terror begins, before the inevitable fire
storm obliterates the often mundane existance of human beings, before the
ground breaks and spews out its red content to smear the face of the earth,
before we start hearing the shrieks of our fellow beings, before we let
ourselfs walk the unknown territories and fall into its deepest pits with
treacherous traps, before hell freezes and the sky falls on our heads,
before we lose our sanity, sanctity (, virginity???), peace, freedom, and
all that we have known, held, regarded and respected as the only path to
absolution, before we are forced to submission to the immediate and
inevitable adversary, LET US consider this as the last oppourtunity that
freedom has to offer and take a gaint leap of making an expedition in
seeing the world as we see it today. Let us foray into other, lesser
explorered but known territories, let us be free for a few days which would
arm us with enough memories to take on the challenges posed by the enemies
of free living.
Rise, O' mighty ones! Let us, together, take them on with strength,
determination and honour!!!
Let the crusade BEGIN!!!

end Quote
So THAT is what it is all about :)

Disclaimer: Any material that is contained herewith either explicit or implied does not belittle the institution of marriage or the pleasures and discomforts that come with it.Nor does the material in anyway purport to rub possibly sensitive audiences the wrong way.It simply describes our state of being as of this point in time.

-Diwakar

World Mysteries - Strange Artifacts - Piri Reis Map

2004-06-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

World Mysteries - Strange Artifacts - Piri Reis Map

Sometimes makes you wonder if all that has been said in the Mahabharath and Ramayan (known to the western world as Indian Myths ) could actually have happened in the same scale as is depicted.
In the light of the current technology, we can tollerate the idea of a nuclear tipped weapons and warheads and yet we find it difficult to digest the concept of a "Brahmastra" ( an all powerful weapon that could decimate the enemy). Could the Brahmastra have been such a missile?

Aircrafts of different shapes, sizes and utilities are no aliens today. Could it be possible that the "Pushpak Viman" ( as used in Ramayan by Ravan to carry sita) was actually an aircraft? Could it be possible that the survilance of the Antartic was carried out by some such craft?

I guess the answer to those questions lies in how much of a believer one is.... but it leaves an all important question... If such an advanced civilization existed , where the hell did it disappear and more importantly, HOW???

A Half-Warmed Fish???

2004-05-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm definitely not that hungry...:)

A half-warmed fish is a spooner for "A half-formed wish" - a wish that is half done, a thought that is in the making, a gut feel first opinion - in the internet Avtar, a BLOG.