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Author: Banārasīdāsa
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Published: 2009
Total Pages: 364
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKBanarasidas charms us with his transparency and frankness, revealing as much of himself as possible. And he punctuates the fast-flowing narrative of his life every now and then to muse on the nature of human existence.
Author: Rohini Chowdhury
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: 2009-04-11
Total Pages: 219
ISBN-13: 8184752059
DOWNLOAD EBOOKPoet; philosopher and merchant; Banarasidas had no precedent in literature or tradition that might have inspired him to write his life’s story or guided him in his task. His motivation to write his story was simple: ‘Let me tell my story to all.’ Completed in the winter of 1641; in Agra; Ardhakathanak is the first autobiography in an Indian language. Banarsidas charms us with his transparency and frankness; revealing as much of himself as possible. And he punctuates the fast-flowing narrative of his life every now and then to muse on the nature of human existence. The result is an astonishing account that is more modern than medieval in tone; and free of formulaic conventions and stylized ornamentation. At the end of his ‘half story’; Banarasi becomes as intimate to us as an old friend. We know the ups and downs of his life almost as well as we know our own and we come to identify with his intellectual and spiritual struggles; and perhaps even share them.
Author: Rohini Chowdhury
Publisher: Penguin Books India
Published: 2011
Total Pages: 133
ISBN-13: 0143331779
DOWNLOAD EBOOKGautama's ideas went against the established beliefs of centuries. His teachings did not rely on the idea of a Supreme God or gods who could rescue humanity from its sorrows; instead he believed that nirvana lay within each person; and could be achieved by following the right path. Even though he was one of the most influential men who ever walked the earth; very little is known about the life of Siddhartha Gautama; the man we call the Buddha. His teachings were followed for 1;500 years in India; and became the guiding principles of life for both rich and poor; high born and lower caste. Today; the religion he founded is followed all over the world.Here is the fascinating story of his life-from his youth as a privileged prince to his renunciation and attainment of nirvana; how his teachings changed all those who came in contact with him; and the story of the tumultuous lives of people and kingdoms in ancient India.
Author: Banārasīdāsa
Publisher: Rupa & Company
Published: 2005
Total Pages: 293
ISBN-13: 9788129105660
DOWNLOAD EBOOK"The ""Ardhakathanaka"" is a remarkable work. Written during the heyday of the Mughal rule in 1641 A.D., it is perhaps the only autobiography in the Indian tradition. Banarasi, its author, was evidently working without precedence. Yet he was surprisingly cognizant of the complexity of his task and the depth of introspection it needed. ""A man's life has much that is subtly secret and profoundly beyond grasp. Even within the tiny span of a day he passes through myriad states of consciousness. The Omniscient Tirthankara, perhaps, sees it all, but even he cannot report it in its fullness."" This was his comment at the end of his narrative. Born in a merchant family that had migrated from Rajasthan to Jaunpur in eastern U.P., Banarasi spent an eventful life in many Mughal towns, finally settling in Agra where he wrote ""Half a Tale"" at the age of 55. He died about two years later."
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Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2021-07-30
Total Pages: 308
ISBN-13: 935435288X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKLocating Pleasure in Indian History is one of the first works on the subject of the 'discourse of pleasure' in Indian history and culture. A rigorous, source-based work, it examines the cultural practices and the underlying philosophic matrix of pleasures, big or small. It recovers the production and consumption of beauty, desire and gratification in the world of pleasure, pleasurable pursuits and pleasant experiences of viewing, performing, thinking, debating, cooking, eating, listening, writing, creating and procreating. The contributions retrieve the discourse of pleasure in visual and literary cultures-in elite and popular spheres, including the public and private domains of the bazaar, the temple, the household, the court and the garden. Further, it is examined in the urbane art of Mathura, Ravana's palace in the art of 7th CE western Deccan, the suratkhana of Rajput royalty or domestic pleasures of women in the labyrinths of the Puranas. With over 40 photographs, it historicises ideological and experiential conundrums thrown up by the idea of pursuing alimentary, carnal and even pious desires in visual and literary cultures. The reflexivity inherent in the work of artists, poets, dramatists and even shastrins is brought out through moments of pleasure and counter-pleasure as revealed through anecdotes, narratives, artefacts and objects of aesthetic gratification.
Author: Gulazāra
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Published: 2013
Total Pages: 107
ISBN-13: 9788129121189
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThere was once a king who had three stupid sons. A learned man visited the kingdom and offered to teach the boys the true qualities of kings-kindness, bravery and a sense of justice. He narrated them one story a day, and these became known as the well-loved Panchatantra tales. Gulzar turns these stories into story-poems, to be read aloud or enjoyed alone. He describes how a rabbit outwits a hungry lion, and tells us why a girl married a mouse. There is a story about a mosquito who was an unwelcome guest, and one about the foolish donkey who could not stop singing. Hilarious and wise, naughty and clever, this retelling of the Panchatantra by one of India's most loved writers will be treasured by readers of all ages.
Author: Rohini Chowdhury
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: 2005-04-05
Total Pages: 173
ISBN-13: 8184750587
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe twenty myths in this book come from the great classic tales of Greece and Rome, and from Norse, Celtic, Egyptian, Native American, African, Indian and Asian traditions. At the heart of each is the story of a child hero. Some of the stories are well-known-of Horus, of the Pandavas, of Heracles, and of Romulus and Remus. There are also many that are less well-known-the story of Cuchulainn, the Celtic hero, Wen P'eng, the Chinese boy who turns into a dragon, and Rustam, Zal and Sohrab, the three princes of Persia.
Author: Zia Mody
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: 2013-08-15
Total Pages: 268
ISBN-13: 8184759533
DOWNLOAD EBOOKWho was Shah Bano and why was her alimony pertinent to India’s Secularism? Does the fundamental right to life include the right to livelihood and shelter? Where there is the right to live, is there also the right to die? How did Bhanwari Devi’s Rape help define sexual harassment at the workplace? Here are the Supreme Court's ten pivotal judgements that have transformed Indian democracy and redefined our daily, lives. Exploring vital themes such as custodial deaths, reservations and environmental jurisprudence, this book contextualizes the judgements, explains key concepts and maps their impacts. Written by one of India's most respected lawyers, Ten Judgements That Changed India is an authoritative yet accessible read for anyone keen to understand India's legal system and the foundations of our democracy.
Author: Gopeśa Kumāra Ojhā
Publisher:
Published: 2004-01-30
Total Pages: 360
ISBN-13: 9788120819290
DOWNLOAD EBOOKABOUT THE BOOK:----------------The present book describes the mysteries, i.e. the hidden Astrological secrets of love, friendship and marriage and when the effects would fructify. The importance of love, friendship and marriage in life can never be o
Author: Meena Bhargava
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2022-11-30
Total Pages: 270
ISBN-13: 100927662X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKDid modernity arrive in South Asia with British colonialism? Or was South Asia already modern by then? What might have that modernity looked like? The Early Modern in South Asia engages with these questions. It brings together ten chapters, which collectively trace the contours of South Asia's early modernity between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. They do this by examining the nature of historical change in various domains, including philosophy, warfare, law, environment, politics, violence, religion, and society. The chapters argue that in all these fields, there were noticeable developments during this period, marking a shift from the medieval to the early modern. The introductory chapter contextualizes this by analysing the politics of periodization in history-writing across the world. It discusses the meanings of the relatively new concept of early modernity and the implications of its use for how we understand historical change and continuity in South Asia.
