Personalities in News

News: The Maharashtra government has reclaimed the iconic sword of Maratha warrior Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I at an auction in London.

About Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I

• Raghuji Bhosale I (also spelt Raghoji Bhonsle) was a Maratha ruler and military commander born in 1695.
• He played a significant role in the expansion of the Maratha Empire in the 18th century, carving out the Nagpur Kingdom in east-central India under Chhatrapati Shahu I.
• He hailed from the Hingankar Bhosale clan, and his family had deep roots in Maratha military tradition.
• His rise started under the mentorship of his uncle Kanhoji Bhosale.
• Raghuji extended his authority over the Berar and Gondwana regions.
  • He led campaigns in Bengal (1745–1755), and expanded Maratha rule to Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• The Maratha warrior’s strategic acumen and undeterred ambition earned him the prestigious title of Senasahib Subha from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

Features of his Sword

• The basket-hilt sword has a European-style single-edged blade, which is slightly curved, and two fullers — grooves or channels that run the length of the sword.
• The spine of the sword is inlaid in gold with an inscription in Devanagari script.
• The inscription reads Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang, suggesting that the sword could be ceremonial.
• Following the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, the British East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles and looted the Bhonsle treasury, including this sword.

News: The Prime Minister’s tribute acknowledged Sankaran Nair’s fearless voice against British tyranny on the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Sir Sankaran Nair.

About Sir Sankaran Nair

• He was a prominent Indian jurist, social reformer, and nationalist known for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and for advocating civil rights under British rule.

Early life

• He was born on 11 July 1857 on the Malabar Coast.
• He secured the Law degree from the Madras Law College in 1879 and started as a lawyer in 1880 in the High Court of Madras.

Government services and recognition

• In 1884, the Madras Government appointed him as a member of the Committee for an enquiry into the state of Malabar.
• Till 1908, he was the Advocate – General to the Government and an Acting Judge from time to time.
• In 1908 he became a permanent Judge in the High Court of Madras and held the post till 1915.
• In 1902, the Viceroy Lord Curzon appointed him Secretary to the Raleigh University Commission.
• In recognition of his services he was awarded the title ‘Commander of the Indian Empire’ by the King – Emperor in 1904 and was knighted in 1912.

Achievements during freedom struggle

• He became a member of the Viceroy’s Council in 1915 with charge of the Education portfolio.
  • As member, he wrote in 1919 two famous Minutes of Dissent in the Despatches on Indian Constitutional Reforms, pointing out the various defects of British rule in India and suggesting reforms.
• In 1897, when the First Provincial Conference met in Madras, he was invited to preside over it.
• In 1897, he was elected President of the Indian National Congress, becoming the first Malayali and one of the youngest to hold the post. His leadership reflected constitutionalism rather than populism, privileging civil rights and self-determination.
• In 1900 he was a Member of the Madras Legislative Council.
• In 1928 he was the President of the Indian Central Committee to co-operate with the Simon Commission.
  • He advocated for the Dominion Status for India.
  • When the Viceregal announcement came granting Dominion Status as the ultimate goal for India, Nair retired from active politics.

Death and Recognition

• He passed away in 1934 at the age of 77, but he remains a symbol of fearless resistance and principled leadership in colonial India.
• His legacy continues to inspire through books like The Case That Shook the Empire by his descendants and upcoming films like Kesari Chapter 2.

News– The Lok Sabha has approved a Bill to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, Gujarat.

About Tribhuvandas Patel

• Tribhuvandas Patel is considered the “father of the cooperative movement” in India.
• He was pivotal in founding the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (KDCMPUL) in 1946, which later became Amul.
• Verghese Kurien was brought into the cooperative movement by Patel, leading to the White Revolution.
  
• He was an active participant in India’s freedom struggle, being a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and involved in movements like the Salt Satyagraha and campaigns against untouchability.
• He set up Amul as a revolt against the exploitation of farmers by the Polson Dairy in Anand, Gujarat.
• His leadership was crucial in building the first milk powder and butter plant in India in 1955.
• He played a significant role in the establishment of key institutions like the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation.
• He was also a two-time Rajya Sabha MP and received the Padma Bhushan and Ramon Magsaysay Award for his contributions to community leadership.
• He founded the Tribhuvandas Foundation to support community health after retiring from Amul.

News- Recently, Goa’s freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardesai, was honoured with the Padma Shri for her pivotal role in the state’s liberation struggle.

About Libia Lobo Sardesai

• She was born on May 25, 1924 in Portuguese-ruled Goa.
• Role in Goa’s Liberation:
  • Actively participated in the Goan nationalist movement during her college years.
  • Played a key role in countering Portuguese propaganda during Goa’s struggle for independence.
  • Operated an underground radio station, Voice of Freedom, from 1955 to 1961 alongside Vaman Sardesai (her late husband) and Nicolau Menezes.
• Significant Contributions:
  • Announced Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961, using an Indian Air Force plane fitted with a loudspeaker.
  • Played a pivotal role in maintaining morale among Goan nationalists during the blockade and movement.
• Post-Liberation: Became the first Director of Tourism for Goa, Daman, and Diu after the liberation of Goa.
• Recognition: At the age of 100, Libia Lobo Sardesai was awarded the Padma Shri for her contributions to Goa’s liberation and her lifelong service to the nation.

News: The Supreme Court, in a recent interim order, directed that Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna “should not be recognised” as a recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award.

About M. S. Subbulakshmi

• She was an Indian Carnatic singer.
• She was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• She was the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
• In 1974, she became the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• She was also the first Indian to perform at the United Nations in 1966 on the occasion of UN Day.
• In 2005, the United Nations issued postage stamps to commemorate her birth centenary.
• She popularized numerous classical and devotional compositions, including Venkatesa Suprabhatam and Bhajagovindam.

News: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a Telugu University named after Potti Sriramulu.

About Potti Sriramulu

• He was an Indian freedom fighter known for his pivotal role in the creation of Andhra State.
• He was bestowed with the title ‘Amarajeevi‘ for his supreme sacrifice for the cause of the people of Andhra.
• He was born on March 16, 1901, in the Madras Presidency, now part of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
• He is remembered for his commitment to social justice and the upliftment of Dalits.
• Freedom struggle contribution:
  • He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to join the freedom struggle.
  • He was actively participated in significant movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), Salt Satyagraha (1930), and Individual Satyagraha (1941-42).
  • He was arrested by the British during the Quit India Movement in 1942 and jailed along with Gandhiji.
• Post independence:
  • He began a hunger strike on October 19, 1952, demanding Andhra Pradesh’s formation from the Madras Presidency.
  • After 58 days of fasting, he died on December 15, 1952, in Mylapore.
  • His sacrifice led to the announcement of Andhra Pradesh on December 19, 1952, with statehood granted on November 1, 1956.
• Socio-religious activities:
  • He was involved in the village reconstruction programmes at Rajkot in Gujarat.
  • He also joined Gandhi ashram (established by Yerneni Subrahmanyam) in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • He undertook three fasts to support Dalit (Harijan) entry rights to holy places including Venu Gopala Swamy Temple in Moolapeta, and Nellore.

News: An Ajmer court recently accepted a petition by the Hindu Sena, which claims that a  Shiva temple lies beneath the Ajmer Sharif dargah.

About Ajmer Sharif

• It is the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the revered Sufi saint from Persia.
• The shrine was built by Mughal King Humayun.
• The white marble dome of Chishti’s shrine, as seen today, was built in 1532.
• It is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
• The shrine has been visited by rulers like Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb.
• The death anniversary of Moinuddin Chishti is called the Urs Sharif festival.

About Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Early life

• He was born in Sijistan (modern-day Sistan) in Iran in 1141-42 CE.
• By 20, Moinuddin had traveled widely, studying various subjects in Bukhara and Samarkand. He later met Khwaja Usman Harooni, a Sufi master, who became his mentor.
• After years of spiritual training, Moinuddin was initiated into the Chishti order and set on his own path.

Journey in India

• He arrived in Delhi Sultanate during the reign of the sultan Iltutmish.
• After Muizuddin Muhammad bin Sam defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192) and established rule in Delhi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti began living and preaching in Ajmer.

Chishti Order (Chishtiya):

• The Chishti order was founded in the 10th century by Abu Ishaq Shami in the town of Chisht near Herat in Afghanistan.
• In India, Chishtiya Order was founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
• Chistis renounced material possessions as distractions from focusing on God and avoided involvement with the secular state.
• Disciples of Khwaja Moin-Uddin Chishti, like Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Fareeduddin Ganj-e-Shakar, Nizamuddin Auliya, and Naseeruddin Charagh, spread and popularized Chishti teachings.

Other major Sufi Orders in India:

Suhrawardi Order:

• It was established in India by Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya.
• Unlike the Chishti saints, the Suhrawardis maintained close ties with the state. They accepted gifts, jagirs from sultans.

Naqshbandi Order:

• In India, this order was established by Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi.
• From the beginning, this Order’s mystics stressed the Shariat’s observance and denounced all innovations or biddat.

The Qadri order

• This order was popular in Punjab and founded in the 14th century by Sheikh Abdul Qadir of Badaun.
• Sheikh Abdul Qadir and his sons were supporters of the Mughals under Akbar.

Source: This post on Birsa Munda  has been created based on the article “Prime Minister pays tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas” published in The Hindu on 15th November 2024.

Why in news?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

About Birsa Munda

1. Birsa Munda (1875–1900) was a prominent tribal leader, freedom fighter, and folk hero from India.

2. He was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village, Ranch, Jharkhand.

3. He belonged to the Munda tribe, a prominent tribal community in the Chotanagpur plateau.

4. He attended missionary schools; learned about Western education and Christianity but later rejected colonial influences.

Struggles Against British Colonial Rule

Opposition to Exploitation: He fought against the oppressive British policies and the exploitation of tribal lands by landlords (dikus) and the colonial government.

Land Rights Movement: He advocated for tribal autonomy and protection of land through the “Ulgulan” (The Great Rebellion).

Religious and Social Reforms

Spiritual Leadership: He declared himself a prophet and began preaching the message of monotheism, unity, and social reform.

Cultural Revival: He encouraged tribal people to return to their indigenous culture and reject superstitions, alcohol consumption, and missionary conversions.

Religious Movement: He founded a new faith combining tribal beliefs with elements of his revolutionary ideology.

About the Ulgulan Movement

1. He led the Ulgulan (Revolt) in the late 1890s to reclaim tribal lands from British control.

2. It was aimed to establish a self-governing tribal system and abolish feudal landlordism.

3. He organized the Mundas and other tribal communities to resist through guerrilla warfare.

4. He was arrested by British authorities in 1900 and imprisoned in Ranchi Jail, where he died on June 9, 1900 under mysterious circumstances.

Legacy

1. He played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal identity and movements that led to the formation of Jharkhand state in 2000.

2. He was honored as “Bhagwan” n(God) by his followers and remembered as a symbol of tribal pride and resistance.

3. Tributes: His birth anniversary, November 15 is celebrated as Jharkhand Foundation Day and Birsa Munda Jayanti.

Read more: 124th Death Anniversary of Birsa Munda

UPSC Syllabus: Art and culture

Source- This post on Vivekananda Rock Memorial has been created based on the article “PM Modi to meditate at Tamil Nadu’s Vivekananda Rock Memorial to mark culmination of Lok Sabha campaign” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari for meditation.

About Vivekananda Rock Memorial

1. Location- The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is situated on a small island near Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.  It is positioned about 500 meters away from the Vavathurai mainland. The memorial stands atop one of two rocks in the midst of the Laccadive Sea. This location is notably where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea converge.

2. Historical Significance- The memorial marks the site where Swami Vivekananda is believed to have achieved enlightenment. It was constructed in 1970 as a tribute to his profound impact on Indian philosophy and spirituality.

3. Architectural Features- The memorial features two main structures – the ‘Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. It also houses a life-sized bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda, enhancing its spiritual and cultural significance.

About swami Vivekananda

1. Swami Vivekananda was originally named Narendranath Datta. He was a major advocate for Vedanta, which is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy.

2. He was born in 1863. He became a disciple of the mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.

3. Vivekananda’s teachings focused on combining the spiritual richness of Indian traditions with the progress-driven approach of the Western world.

4. He is well-known for introducing Hinduism to the Western world at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, making a profound impact with his speeches. Upon returning to India, he founded the Ramakrishna Order, a religious and philanthropic organization, to continue his mission of service and spiritual development.

5. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of meditation and taught that true understanding comes from realizing the divine nature within each person.

Read more: Teaching of swami Vivekananda

UPSC Syllabus: Personalities in News, art and culture

Source-This post on Nana Jagannath Shankarseth is based on the article “Who was Nana Jagannath Shankarseth, the social reformer ‘architect of Mumbai‘” published in “The Indian Express” on 15th March 2024.

Why in the News?

The Maharashtra government recently requested the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth.

Who was Nana Jagannath Shankarseth?

About:
a. He was often called the “architect” of Mumbai (previously Bombay) and was recognized as a social reformer, educator, and philanthropist.
b. He provided invaluable contributions, both ideologically and financially, across numerous sectors, establishing a robust foundation for the city.

Birth– He was born (February 10, 1803) in a wealthy Brahmin family in Murbad,Thane district ,Maharashtra.

Inspired by– He was deeply influenced by the renowned merchant and philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.

Political journey– He was the first Indian to be appointed to the Legislative Council of Bombay.

What are Shankarseth’s main contributions?

Education:

1. Shankarseth was dedicated to expanding education in Bombay and donated his family’s land for educational purposes.

2. He established the Native School of Bombay, later known as the Bombay Native Institution and then the Board of Education. Eventually, it became the renowned Elphinstone College.

Museum, Temples:

1. Shankarseth was one of the wealthy donors who supported the development of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla, which was designed by a renowned architect from London.

2. The Bhawani Shankar Temple near Nana Chowk was built by Shankarseth in honor of his late mother, Bhawanibai Murkute.

Railways:

1. The first train journey in India took place on April 16, 1853, between Boribunder and Thane, covering a 34-km route managed by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company.

2. Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and Nana Shankarseth were part of the committee overseeing the project.

UPSC Syllabus- Personalities in news