Speaking Archaeologically™

Mayank Singh is an Intern at Speaking Archaeologically "At a numaish (exhibition) hosted by the King of Chamba", she begins, "When all the artists were boasting about their skills,one of my family's ancestors painted 100 elephants on a single thread of Dhake ke malmal (fine cotton muslin from Dhaka)." Mrs Nisha Raina tells me this and many tales in the hour-long conversation I had with her. In this article, I have tried to include and summarise all that I could learn about Kangra paintings from the interview. Mrs Raina was born into the family of Raina Brahmins, who migrated from Kashmir and settled in Mangloti village of Kangra around the same time the Mughal Empire collapsed. This spree of migration induced a new blend of the M ughlai miniature paintings and the theme of lustrous green landscapes of the hill states, whose Rajput rulers offered patronage to these migrants. Thus was born-what is now known in history as- the Kangra paintings. Mrs Nis...

The mosque inside the Chingus Fort, Rajouri If you're an intrepid traveller like us Speaking Archaeologically lot and ever visit the Indo-Pakistan Border, you will be sure to notice a plenty of things to surprise you as they surprised me. The area of Poonch, in Rajouri District of Jammu, is perhaps the last point that is politically under India. Although under military control, now, this area once thrived with trading activity and fell on the Old Silk Route. Even today, when the roads have fallen into disrepair, you still see the Afghani Workers along the roads, best known for road maintenance. "They are the fastest in their job," our driver tells me as I point towards one. "You will be surprised how many countries hire them." However, I soon lose interest in the workers as an imposing Mughal structure catches my eye. Lesser known but a Mughal Fortress from the times of the Great Mughals, Chingus was built during the reign of Jehangir.  Back in the Mug...

Diyas or Earthen Lamps Diwali also called the Festival of Lights  is celebrated to honour Ramachandra, who is supposed to be the seventh avatar (incarnation of the Puranic God Vishnu). According to the Great Epic, Ramayana it is believed that on this day Lord Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana. People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil (light over darkness).The Suryavanshi clan (Descendants of the Sun) of the Dogras celebrate Diwali as a reminder of the victory of their supposed ancestor Lord Rama. Diwali in Dogra culture is celebrated in almost the same manner as the rest of India. Great significance is given to Goddess Lakshmi ( The goddess of wealth and fortune) and Lord Ganesha, the Lord of auspicious beginnings and prosperity. Marigold garlands on the thresholds  The preparations for Diwali begins a week prior to the festival....

August 2015 If you were to pass by Jammu City in the Northernmost Province of  India, buzzing busily with traffic and streets bustling with people, yoh wouldn't expect the city to hide one of the most beautiful palatial ruins of Dogra Architecture. No, not even the locals could tell you if there's such a place at all! There are temples, here, oh yes! And an old Fort. And some old Royal Gardens.  And of course, the famous twin palaces of Amar Singh and Hari Singh, which serve as a library and a hotel respectively but that's it! Off you go, now!  Chop, chop!  Move your car, you're blocking traffic! Jammu is a city with maddening crowd milling over and pouring down on you from everywhere.  For most Indian Army Brats like myself, however, Jammu has been a second home and no matter how many times you've been there, you'll find your way back in there, one among the many, lost in that crowd. Everything changes in Jammu with every visit and yet, nothing do...