Speaking Archaeologically™

On the sultry, hot afternoon of 11th September a group of eager archaeologists in the making (not really but this hope might help us  sleep better at night) gathered at this not so historical but extremely aesthetic cafe called S-Cafe. *Inserts side note, it has a great bar, 10/10. Would recommend even to a teetotaller.* It started off as most SA workshops do, with Shriya reaching on time and waiting for her volunteers to show up. After the formalities were addressed we were asked to take out our surgical gloves because no where in the rule book does it say that only surgeons get to have fun.The thought of Woodwork all the way from Africa had my heart and rear end thumping to the beats of Ngoma. Each of us were given a precious hand out which contained information to build the basis of not only the workshop but also provided a bird's eye view into the life of Bembé tribe (and tribals). The workshop aimed to teach us object analysis and this led to...

“Does anyone here knows History?” the pretty lady wearing red coat asks. “No.” they answer, after couple of minutes of speculation. “To answer or not answer.” This is what came in our mind that moment. As we were there for a sculpture session which automatically means that one’s got to know about history related to different topics. “That’s perfect.” the young lady in red coat says with a smile on her face. We take a sigh of relief and she further explains. “It’s wonderful you guys don’t know about it as sometimes what happens is when we are students of History. We come with a biased opinion and we block our learning area.” I look at her stunned, wondering how can someone give such a optimistic approach to this situation? I smile, and believe me, it got me so excited for the session we were just about to begin with. To Shriya, the founder of Speaking Archeology, is someone, so many people including me are grateful for. I kid you not when I say, in my few months of bein...

Nanded is a heavenly town in state of Maharashtra, India. It is 650 kms east of Mumbai by road: approximately an 11 hour drive and 250km from Hyderabad, Telangana. Sachkhand Express is a special superfast train which starts from Amritsar, Punjab and reaches Nanded in 34 hours 10 minutes roughly. Nanded is connected to all major airports in India, like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Delhi to name a few. Medieval Miniature Painting showing Guru Gobind Singh, Himachal State Museum, Shimla Sri Hazur Sahib is the principle Sikh shrine, and a part of five Takhts (throne). It marks the site where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (The last Sikh Guru) had his camp in 1708 and left for his heavenly abode (Parlok Gaman). It was here in first week of September in 1708, when Guru Ji baptized Bairagi Sadhu Madho Das to Sikhism and named him Banda Singh Bahadur (Gurudwara Banda Singh Ji marks this event). “The Eternal Father willed and I raised the Panth. All my Sikhs are hereby ordered to accep...

Being a volunteer at Speaking Archaeology always comes with its perks (and responsibilities, if I may add). So, be it a vacation with family, camping with friends or casual outings, each location is nothing short of a historical site. If you get down to it, you might be lucky enough to catch up on the his tory.   A trip to Jim Corbett sounds like a fun filled, adventurous outing. History is not something you e xpect to fin d there. Except that the area contains one of the most auspicious sites, so much so that it is a nationally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India . The site being discussed is the "Temp le Sacred to Sita "- Sitavani. Getting up for an early morning safari in the National Park, I had slight ide a about a temple we might visit. However, getting out from my daze I realised that the temple might have a historical relevance. And I was not disappointed here at all. T he temple turned out to be an archaeological site! H...

The view from Daandi The temple at Daandi is placed inside the dense forests of Kotkhai and Balsan tehsils of district Shimla . It can easily be reached by vehicle from Shimla and is approximately  60 k.m. from the main city. The forest belt of Daandi with adjoining villages of Kotkhai This temple has been constructed amidst the deep forests and can be reached by vehicle. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built in a ground. The main temple is made up of stone and cement as it was reconstructed in late 1970’s. Earlier it was made up of stone and wood. According to the locals the temple has its origin since early 1900’s. On festivals like Nag Panchami , Shivratri , Dusshera and beginning on the Monsoon season which according to Hindu religion is dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is lit up with diyas and lights . The Daandi Temple of Lord Shiva About 50 meters from   Daandi  in the adjoining forest is a shrine built ...

Some pieces from Lyn's Private Collection A passion, how does it begin? My passion with Tunbridge Ware began when I was about 8 years old, and yes, that may be rather young to start appreciating craftsmanship, but then I had a very good mentor.  My Great Aunt Clara Shuell had a small collection of this lovely, intricate work and as I spent part of my summer holidays staying with her and my Uncle Jock at their home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, I grew to love it as much as she did. Lyn's Great Aunt Clara Shuell and Uncle Jock If I was good, and I was in those days, I was allowed to open my Aunt’s display cabinet and  take out her collection. Auntie would talk to me about how it was made and when she had bought the pieces.  She did tell me that one day her collection would be mine, but sadly that wasn’t to be, however, my own collection has been built on trying to find similar pieces so that I can connect back to this wonderful, kind lady. My favou...

“On a dark moonless night in autumn, I see a nation adhere to its ancient custom. to celebrate the deity of success and prosperity, by thanking their almighty.” - Sulaiman Sait Year in and year out, every year Diwali becomes the most anticipated festival in a country where people get together in order to celebrate the victory of light(brightness) over the dark. A festival where people of all cultures in this secular country get together and share happiness under a dark sky lit up with happiness and celebrations. Diwali is predominantly a Hindu festival but it also finds extreme importance in Sikhism. Historically, Sikhism struggled under the regime of Mughal rulers due to various reasons. On the day of Diwali, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 other kings were released from the prison of Gwalior. After Jahangir found out that Guru Hargobind Ji was innocent and harmless, he ordered his release. 52 Rajas who were also imprisoned in the fort as hostages for opposing th...