From Colonial Tracks to Freedom: How Railways Shaped India’s Independence
When the first train left Bombay in 1853, it would have been unlikely anyone in a position to know could have imagined that the British colonial railway system created for…
Little-Known Indian Dynasties That Ruled Longer Than the Mughals
When we think of India’s great empires, the first one that typically comes to mind is that of the Mughals. Their empire, which started with Babur, in 1526 and continued…
Forgotten Indian Freedom Fighters Who Changed Local Histories
Let’s be real the story of India’s independence usually gets crammed down to a few superstar names: Gandhi, Nehru, Bose, Patel. The textbook regulars, right? But honestly, if you scratch…
The Lost Cities of India: Uncovering Ancient Civilizations Beyond Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro
While ancient Indian history, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro, the two great sites of the Indus Valley Civilization that revolutionized our understanding of urban life more than 4,000 years ago, often come…
Grasses of India and Their Diverse Utilisation
India has an extensive range of species, and the grasses of the country might be one of the most underrated but still the most valuable natural resources. From the rich…
Eco-Tourism Led by Forest Dwellers: A Sustainable Path Forward
India’s forests have been the centres of not only biodiversity but also the living landscapes through which millions of tribal and forest-dwelling communities have passed down their traditions of co-existence…
Local Festivals as Economic Engines: Beyond the Big Celebrations
Festivals in India are like bigger than life celebrations. Consider Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja or Ganesh Chaturthi, these festivals are the ones which upstage media coverage, draw thousands of international…
Backpackers Rediscovering Small-Town India: Stories of Community Bonding
Due to various remarkable changes, India has been witnessing travel patterns of people which were never heard of over the period of last 10 years. As metro cities are occupied…
How Tribal Communities Are Reimagining Forest Rights
For a long time, the tribal communities of India have been living in a manner harmonious with the forests and not only extracting food and raw materials for their shelter…
Innovative Panchayat Initiatives : Creative Local Governance Models
Panchayat System, the foundation of local self-governance, has been known for a long time as a vital pillar of democracy. Traditionally, panchayats dealt with the basic needs of the society…