Wednesday, May 6, 2009
महाराष्ट्र:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
THORLE BAJIRAO PESHWE (AD1700-AD1740)
Despite being a Brahmin, he took up leading his troops. He is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire created by its founder,Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to help reach its zenith during his son's reign twenty years after his death. Baji Rao is thus acknowledged as the most famous of the nine Peshwas.
Baji Rao was the son of the first Bhat family Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath. At the tender age of 20, he was appointed by Shahu as Peshwa upon the death of his father, keeping aside all other claimants, thus making the position of Peshwa hereditary in the Bhat family. It is quite clear from this appointement that Shahu recognised the talent of this boy and reared him as peshwa. Bajirao was well trained by the Maratha cavalry generals who were distinguished in the war of 27 years. Perhaps his early association with these Maratha cavalry made him a part and parcel of them. Like Shivaji, Santaji Ghorpade, Nemaji Shinde, Krishnaji Sawant, Nagoji Bhosale or Dhanaji Jadhav, Bajirao was popular with his soldiers and even today his name is an honorable one.
Standing tall, poised and confident before Shahu and his court the young new Peshwa Baji Rao is said to have thundered, “Let us transcend the barren Deccan and conquer central India. The Mughals have become weak indolent womanizers and opium-addicts. The accumulated wealth of centuries in the vaults of the north, can be ours. It is time to drive from the holy land of Bharatvarsha the outcaste and the barbarian. Let us throw them back over the Himalayas, back to where they came from. The Maratha flag must fly from the Krishna to the Indus. Hindustan is ours”.
He fixed his piercing gaze on Shahu and said, “Strike, strike at the trunk and the branches will fall off themselves. Listen but to my counsel, and I shall plant the Maratha banner on the walls of Attock”. Shahu was deeply impressed and exclaimed, “By heaven, you shall plant it on the Himalayas”.
This story itself indicates the vision of Bajirao and Shahu's faith in the young man. Shahu appointed him as a Peshwa at such tender age, recognising his talents and entrusting to him imperial troops which had recently emerged victorious in the Mughal-Maratha conflict which ended in 1707. Baji Rao's greatness lies in that true to judgment of his master and seasoned troops at his disposal, he struck terror of Maratha armies in the Indian sub-continent.
- Baji Rao, who fought over 40 battles, is reputed to have never lost one.
- He was one of the first to understand and exploit the fragmenting Mughal Empire, following the footsteps of his father. The declining influence of the Saiyid brothers at the Imperial court was another factor influencing his decision to attack.
- The later Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads (Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar were Baji Rao's creation of a Maratha confederacy as he wreaked havoc on the disintegrating Mughal Empire and set up his jahagirdars (governors).
- He moved the administrative capital of the Maratha Empire from Satara to the new city of Pune in 1728 with permission of his master. His general, Bapuji Shripat persuaded some of the richer families of Satara to settle in the new city, which was divided into 18 peths (boroughs).
- In 1732, after the death of Maharaja Chhatrasal, a long-time ally of the Maratha Empire, Baji Rao was granted 1/3 of Chhatrasal's kingdom in Bundelkhand.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Battles of Panipat
| First Battle of Panipat | |||||||||
| Part of Mughal conquests | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Commanders | |||||||||
| Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi | |||||||||
Second Battle of Panipat | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Vikramaditya dynasty | |||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Third Battle of Panipat | |||||||||
| Part of Maratha Empire, Durrani Empire | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Durrani Empire (Afghan Empire) | |||||||||
| Commanders | |||||||||
| Sadashivrao Bhau, Ibrahim Khan Gardi, Janokji Shinde, Malharrao Holkar, Sardar Purandare, Sardar Vinchurkar | |||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 40,000 cavalry, 200 pieces of artillery, 15,000 infantry, 15,000 Pindaris. Also, accompanied by 300,000 non-combatants comprised of pilgrims and camp-followers | 42,000 cavalry, 120–130 pieces of cannon, 38,000 infantry in addition to 10,000 reserves, 4,000 personal guards and 5,000 Qizilbashas well as large numbers of irregulars. | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 30,000 on battlefield and another 10,000 in the subsequent massacre as well as 40,000 camp followers were either captured or killed. | 30,000 on Battle field | ||||||||
The INDO-US Nuclear Deal
Overturning a 34-year-old ban, it allows India access to US civil nuclear fuel and technology although it has never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998, and has not ruled out doing more.
India must separate its civil and military nuclear facilities, and submit civil facilities to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. * The agreement means other countries can sell India nuclear technology and fuel. France signed such a deal this week.
Why is it controversial?
Critics say it undermines the NPT, membership of which has long been the guideline for the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) export cartel to provide civilian nuclear assistance.
Critics also say it undercuts Washington's efforts to curtail Iran's nuclear programme and opens the way for a potential arms race in South Asia between India and Pakistan.
India says 14 of its 22 nuclear facilities are civilian. The pact could make bomb-making easier at the other eight, as civilian nuclear fuel needs will be met by the United States.
Who will benefit?
US and European companies that supply nuclear technology and help build reactors. The deal could open up around $27 billion in investment in 18-20 nuclear plants over the next 15 years, according to Confederation of Indian Industry.
By 2030, the economic benefits that will accrue to India's economy as a result of nuclear trade could touch $500 billion, says Imagindia Institute, an Indian lobby group.
India. It becomes a de facto nuclear power. New Delhi even says it still can test nuclear weapons if it needs to, although a waiver of NSG rules adopted to allow trade with India indicates this would be cut off if India tested again.
India's economy. It relies on imported oil for some 70 per cent of its energy needs and the government says nuclear power will help feed its rapidly expanding economy.
Washington. The deal will mean deeper ties between Washington and Delhi just as India starts to embrace the West. It is not just about friendship -- the United States, for example, may now have a better chance of winning a $10 billion fighter deal from India, the world's biggest arms contract.
Who won't benefit?
Pakistan , India's nuclear rival, has sought a similar deal with Washington but was refused because of a poor non-proliferation record. As a result, Islamabad has talked of expanding nuclear cooperation with China. Pakistan has not signed the NPT.
China. Some analysts see the India deal as part of attempts by the United States to counterbalance China's influence in Asia.
The environment. The deal will still have a minimal impact on India's power industry. Dirty coal-fired power stations and hydroelectric dams will continue to account for the lion's share of its power generation.
Is the deal popular in India?
Polls show most Indians are far more worried about the economy and inflation than some abstract nuclear deal.
The powerful communists withdrew their support for the Congress-led government over the deal, saying it made India a pawn of Washington. Hindu nationalists also oppose the deal, saying it limits India's ability to test nuclear weapons.
Nevertheless, the deal is seen as one of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's biggest achievements in four years in power.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
THE ANT PHILOSOPHY
THE ANT PHILOSOPHY
1st PART PHILOSOPHY
ANTS NEVER QUIT
If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over, they’ll climb under, they’ll climb around. They keep looking for another way.
LESSON: To never quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.
2nd PART PHILOSOPHY
ANTS THINK WINTER ALL SUMMER
You can’t be so naïve as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering their winter food in the middle of summer. You’ve got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.
LESSON: It is important to be realistic. Think ahead.
3rd PART PHILOSOPHY
ANTS THINK SUMMER ALL WINTER
During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.” At the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. LESSON: Stay positive at all times.
4th PART PHILOSOPHY
ALL-THAT-YOU-POSSIBLY-CAN
How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can. LESSON: Do all you can….and more!
FOUR-PART PHILOSOPHY
Never Give Up
Look Ahead
Stay Positive
Do All You Can
“Don’t be encumbered by history, just go out & do something wonderful”
Chanakya Niti in Modern World!!!!!
1. THE KING (The leader)
All great organisations have great leaders. The leader is the visionary, the captain, the man who guides the organisation. In today's corporate world we call him the Director,
2. THE MINISTER (The manager)
The manager is the person who runs the show - the second-in-command of an organisation. He is also the person whom you can depend upon in the absence of the leader. He is the man who is always in action. An extra ordinary leader and an efficient manager together bring into existence a remarkable organisation.
3. THE COUNTRY (Your market)
No business can exist without its market capitalisation. It is the area of your operation. The place from where you get your revenue and cash flow. You basically dominate this territory and would like to keep your monopoly in this segment.
4. THE
You need a control tower - a place from where all planning and strategies are made. It's from here that your central administrative work is done. It's the nucleus and the center of any organisation.
5. THE TREASURY
Finance is an extremely important resource. It is the backbone of any business. A strong and well-managed treasury is the heart of any organisation. Your treasury is also your financial hub.
6. THE ARMY (Your team)
When we go to war, we need a well-equipped and trained army. The army consists of your team members. Those who are ready to fight for the organisation. The salesmen, the accountant, the driver, the peon - all of them add to your team.
7. THE ALLY (friend / consultant)
In life you should have a friend who is just like you. Being, in the same boat, he can identify with you and stay close. He is the one whom you can depend upon when problems arise. After all, a friend in need is a friend in deed.
Look at these seven pillars. Only when these are built into firm and strong sections can the organisation shoulder any responsibility and face all challenges.
And while building them, do not forget to imbibe that vital ingredient called values, speaking about which, in his book 'Build to last', Jim Collins has said, "Values are the roots from where an organisation continuously gets its supply as well as grounding - build on them!"