A tribute to the Cholas: Darasuram, A Personal experience.

 In the many tours I've had and the wonderful places I've visited, visiting the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram is an experience I'll never forget.  Built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th Century C.E., the temple is not as enormous as the other Great Living Chola temples- the mandapa is rather small in size. But what will surely take your breath away is the delicate features & attention to detail in the statues and figures around the temple. 

The Legend behind the temple goes thus:  Airavata, while suffering from a change of colour curse from Sage Durvasa, had its colours restored by bathing in the sacred waters of this temple. This legend is commemorated by an image of Airavata with Indra seated in an inner shrine. The temple and the presiding deity derive its name from this incident. Another legend goes that the King of Death, Yama also worshipped Shiva here. Tradition has it Yama, who was suffering under a Rishi's curse to form a burning sensation all over the body, was cured by the presiding deity Airavatesvarar. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham.

The Entrance to the temple. Photo: Authour

When I reached Darasuram, I wasn't expecting much. The outer walls of the temple do not have much stonework on them,  The statues of small Nandis (the mount of Lord Shiva), were the only affluence afforded on the walls.

The statues of Nandi on the boundary Walls. Photo credits: Wikimedia. 

 The beauty that lies inside is given a hint in the ridiculously detailed Mahadwara (main entrance) int the east side through which we enter the temple.  As we step into the temple we are greeted by the grand sight of delicately carved statues on the rooftop, as well as on the pillars. Malaylees would be instantly able to represent the small Kodimaram.

The view as you enter; Photo; Author

I cannot possibly explain the beauty of the temple itself; I leave it to the photos I've attached, as well as the 360 degree view of the temple.
The Temple was built rather late into the Chera Empire's reign; by 1279, (i.e., within 100 years of its construction) the Chera Empire was subsumed by the Pandyas. Which makes this temple truly a wonder- it was not built in the best of times, but it exemplifies the epitome of Chola architecture and is rightly considered as a "Great Living Chola Temple", a UNESCO World Heritage.

The Famous Chariot; One can only wonder the quality & workmanship of these artisans.Photo Author.

My interest in these temples were piqued by my visit to them, and it opened a door of history about the Cholas that I was generally ignorant or dismissive. I would advice anyone even slightly interested in History to visit these places (Brihedesavar Temple, Darasuram Airatasevara Temple) to be transported to times past, to the glorious past of the Cholas.

I would think it to be my duty to add all photos I have of this beautiful temple, and I have attached it below.
I thought of ending this series at this, a personal experience of Darasuram, but while researching for this article and the others, (and partly motivated by my thinking of the problems of imposing Western Historiography on Indian History and my addiction to Crusader Kings II), my next article in this series will be on Royal titles used by the Cholas.  

Another View of the Chariot, note that there are sculptures below the Horse's belly,like the sculptors wanted to fit in more. Photo: Author

Yet another view of the Chariot.

The Elephants hailing one's entry into the temple. 

The View of the raised platform

Sculptures on the mandapa; the Ornate nature is visible . Photo: Aiuthor

A View of the main temple. Photo: Authour 

A Coronation (possibly) of Rajaraja Chola II, the Emperor who built the temple. 

Photo: Authour

The Main temple, a closer view 

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Photo: Authour

Thank you for your patience; Lord Vishnu (?) 

Photo: Authour

A tribute to the Cholas: Imperial Conquests

Continuation of A tribute to the Cholas: An Introduction. 

Rajendra Chola being crowned by Lord Shiva, the Cholas were devout shaivaites. 

Close up of Rajendra Chola I in the above image. Note the exquisite detail.  

Rajendra Chola I, succeeding his father in 1004 C.E. had an unenviable task: he had to first consolidate the Empire, with the increasing pressure from the north by the Chauklyas of the Deccan[1], as well internal discontent from the Pandyas and Cheras. He decided on his full accession in 1004 C.E. to overthrow the Western Ganga Dynasty[2], who controlled the areas up bank to the Kaveri, and took over their Capital, Talakkad. After a period of Consolidation, and Empire Rebuilding, Rajandera Chola set out to make himself the greatest Chola Emperor.

His eyes first turned to the south of his Empire: Sri Lanka had been weakened by years of Civil War, and his father, Rajaraja Chola I, had conquered a significant part of the Kingdom. He decided to finish what his father started. In 1017, Rajendra Chola led a large army into Anuradhapura and captured Mahinda's( the then King of Sri-Lanka) crown, queen, daughter, vast amount of wealth and the king himself whom he took as a prisoner to India.

Next, he set out to quell possible rebellions in the Pandya and Chera lands; he appointed one of his sons as viceroy with the title Jatavarman Sundara Chola-Pandya with Madurai as the headquarters. Then he checked the emerging Chauklyan Power, installing his cousin Rajaraja Narendra[3] as King in Vengi.

On to the Ganges

 

"Gangaikandacholan" inscription on the Sri.Brihedeswara Temple, Gangaikandacholapuram

 This is the most extraordinary Chapter in the History of Cholas; the feat that they may be most famous for. While fighting the Chauklyas in support of installing Rajaraja Narendra in Vengi, after defeating the claimant (Vijayaditya), he set out to punish the Kalinga & Odda (Modern Orissa). Rajendra Chola decided to cam near the Godavari River, and set out Araiyan Rajarajan, to capture more territories. Araiyan captured various forts in the way in Modern Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa before turning East; He defeated the Pala King Mahipala I in a pitched battle; then, , Araiyan Rajarajan reached the Ganges and took some water with him on his journey back, meeting the Chola Emperor at Godavari, with much pomp and celebration.

He declared himself “Gangaikondacholan”(The Chola who took the Ganges) and built the new capital of Gangaikandacholapuram, whose magnificence and brilliance can still be seen now, almost a 1000 years later.

Making of the Chola Lake

The Cholaganga Tank. 

Rajendra Chola had now brought to the Chola Empire unprecedented peace and success; by his own control and tributaries, the Chola Controlled almost all of Peninsular India. At this point, a lesser Emperor would have settled for this; but not Rajendra Chola. He decided it was time for his Empire to project its power over the high seas and unto South East Asia. He set out his army in 1025 C.E. to conquer the South East Asian Empires in Indochina, subduing the Srivijaya Kingdom of Indochina and the Tambralinga Kingdom of the Malay Peninsula. The nuances of the involvement can only be talked about in the larger of Geo-Politics at that point: I am rather diverting myself to concluding on the Rajendra Chola’s achievement that is, turning the Bay of Bengal into a “Chola Lake”. This was not a farfetched claim, just looking at Rajandera’s conquests is enough.

He is one of the greatest monarchs to have reigned in India, and even in the world, his attempts to project power and influence over seas in the 11^th century is more or less unparalleled. Rajendra Chola surpassed his overachieving father, and took the Chola Dynasty to heights of power it will never experience later. He helped re-establish the Khmer kingdom, extending his support to Suryavarman I (some believe that his conquest of Indochina was meant to help him). When Suryavarman II requested help to build Angkor Wat, and Rajendra Chola promptly send artisians to build the largest Hindu Temple. He formalized a system of a panchayats, centralized a tax system and sponsored the extensive architectural works, and was a patron of the arts.

The Cholas rose to their height of power under Rajandera Chola, but his death did not end the empire, like so many others; it survived in some form until 1279 C.E.

Second Part of A three part (?? Maybe more) series: A tribute to the Cholas.

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[1] This were the western Chaukalyas, who shook of the Rashtrukutas to establish themselves as an Independent Kingdom in 973 C.E.

[2] The western Ganga dynsasty ruled over the Kolar-Talakkad Region, near the Kaveri.

[3] A member of the Eastern Chauklya Dynasty. 

Additional Notes
C.E: Common Era. 

References

"The Ocean of Churn:How the Indian Ocean shaped Human History", Sanjeev Sanyal, Penguin Random House, 2016

" A History of South India", KA Nilakanta Sastri, Oxford University Press, 1975

Questioning the Legitimacy of Elections

Originally article written in Telegram.

Trump won the US Presidential Election, upsetting more than a few (including the author)

There has been a lot of hullabaloo and panic in the Mainstream American Media about the Russian interference in the American Elections to help Donald Trump. The nature of this Russian interference is at the moment theorised to be like this : Hacker groups connected to Russian Government apparently targeted the US state department and US White House by a sending pools of Phising Emails. They were able to breach The DNC servers as well as John Podesta's account.The information thus acquired was then handed over to WikiLeaks, whose head, Julian Assange had a lot of reason to hate Hillary Clinton. The information then released had a detrimental effect on a Particular Clinton's chances of being President.

The Democratic National Committee was compromised almost completely by the email leak: members of the DNC sent emails to each other deriding Bernie Sanders Campaign (Bernie was Hillary's Primary Democratic competitor). Which darkened Hillary in the eyes of many Younger Idealistic Liberals, who had supported Bernie Enthusiastically.

A Server (allegedly) hacked by Russia next to a cabinet broken into during the Watergate Scandal in the DNC office; The nature of the two happenings were intrinsically different. 

It is impossible to know how all these controversies and relocations affected the outcome of the US Presidential elections. Yet, the Mainstream American Media Establishments are fawning over this supposed interference for Trump by Russia.
Rival Nations will of course try to influence each others elections and politics in a way favorable to them. Trump and Putin hit it off; Putin was likely swayed to support Trump cause his opponent winning would have severely impacted the vanning Russian Economy, already crippled by sanctions.
Trump, in his initial urge to appear as a serious candidate, claimed to know Vladimir Putin "because they were featured in the same 60 minutes Episode". He might have walked down that claim later, but he appeared warmer option to Russia Than Hillary Clinton, who would have in all probability continued America's policy to Russia.
The allegations that Russia was behind the DNC and Podesta hacks came in October, and it did become a news story that was the centerpiece for some time.
But it was only after the election that reports came out, leaked from the CIA, very less, that Russia attempted to influence the elections.
The situation being very ironic - CIA complaining about a Right Wing President installed by a foreign power (apparently) is one thing.
The fact of the matter however is that those questioning the legitimacy of elections are wrong. Well they're blurring the definition between influencing the election and delegitimising the election.
What Russia is believed to have done is influence the election, not 'hack' the elections. The election is undoubtedly legitimate: there is absolutely no proof that the votes tallied have been manipulated in any manner.
Is Trump's election a cause of worry for traditional American foreign policymakers? Surely. But he has not been installed by an outside foreign power, he was elected by the American Citizen, and by the American system. Blaming Russia for your loss is not ingenious from the part of Democrats.
Let's see what the future holds.

A tribute to the Cholas: An Introduction

A little over 10 months ago, I published a small article called The Lost History about how many Indians are unaware of the grandeur and achievements of the Chola Empire. This article can be considered as in continuum.

Of the three great dynasties[1] to have made Ancient Tamilakam[2] their home, the Cholas are arguably, the greatest. At its greatest extent under Rajendra Chola I, it stretched near to the Ganges in the north, to Sri Lanka in the south, to Indonesia in the East. The Cholas have left a great legacy in the form of their patronage to Tamil Literature, Arts as well as architecture. Today, the Great Living Chola Temples – Brihideswar, Darasuram (Airavatesvara Temple) and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Chola Empire at its greatest extent under Rajendra Chola I

The Cholas were the first Maritime Empire, a Thalassocracy[3], as the Greeks would say. They were able to project their wealth and might way beyond the Indian Peninsula, playing an active role in Geo-politics in the Sumatras, and even maintained diplomatic relations with China.

Rajraja Chola I was the first true ‘Emperor’ of the Cholas: He assumed the title of “Mummudi Cholan”: ‘The Chola who is the ruler [Suzerain] of all three’ after conquering the Pandyas and Cheras. After vanquishing the Chera King, Bhaskara Ravi Varman the First, he heralded it as his first military triumph. From 994 to 1003 C.E., ( he was crowned in 985 C.E.), Rajaraja Chola expanded his territory significantly, adding Sri Lanka. Subduing the Chalukyas, and then conquering Kalinga[4]. In 1010, he started building the famous Brihideshwar Temple in Thanjavur. (The Temple was the tallest building in India until 1368, when the Qutub Minar was built.) The construction would have taken immense skill and ability from the ancient Indian engineers; the vimana[5] of the temple was hoisted by elephants, who traversed on an inclined plane that spread out for 1+ kilometres. In a rather somber tribute to him vanquishing the Cheras, he built the Keralanthaka Gopura, in the entrance to the temple.

Keralanthaka Gopura, Photo: Authour

Visiting the temple is surreal. Its magnificence and majesty of the temple is certain to awe any visitor. In this grand structure, the minutest of detail is sculptured. As one can observe here:

Lord Brahma(?), Keralantahaka Gopura Photo: Authour

and here:

An Asura, Keralanthaka Gopura

The Brihideswar was built to represent the power prestige and majesty the Cholas had acquired, and represent it well it does. Even the anointment of the Chola Emperor was done at the temple.

Rajaraja Chola I was the first truly great Chola Emperor, whose contributions should not be forgotten. He was, as the poets of the time note, Rājakesarī, “A Lion of a King”. His administrative reforms and patronage of arts are cornestones of his legacy. But nothing exhibits it like the Brihideswar Temple does.

The Brihideswar Temple, a view. Photo: Authour

He died in 1014 C.E., to be succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola I(who was already co-regent from 1012 C.E.) as Emperor, who expanded the empire to even greater heights.

To be continued.

(A first part of a hopefully 3 part series: A tribute to the Cholas.)

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[1] “The Three Great Warring Clans” for the purpose here are The Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas, as envisioned in Sangam Era Literature. They were the “The Three Crowned Kings”, Mūvēntar. The Common legends, myths and history these dynasties share are unique. Which results in historian classifying their histories similarly. The Satyapuras, are not included in the rendition of Sangam History, and thus I have excluded them. I have also excluded the Pallavas and the Chalukyas as well, who at some point were suzerains of Tamil Land.

[2] Ancient Tamilakam include Kerala & Tamil Nadu generally.

[3] An Empire at sea; Greeks used it to describe the Minoan civilization.

[4] Yeah. The Kalinga  of Asokan fame.

[5] The Tallest part of the Gopura/Tower



Additional Notes
C.E: Common Era. 

References

"The Ocean of Churn:How the Indian Ocean shaped Human History", Sanjeev Sanyal, Penguin Random House, 2016

" A History of South India", KA Nilakanta Sastri, Oxford University Press, 1975

Climate Change Politics II

This article is a makeshift one in response to the news that Rex Tillerson, the Chief Executive of ExxonMobil is to be the nominee of US President Elect Trump to the position of the Secretary of State.  I will be updating references and citations in due course. 

The New York Times,  Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have all confirmed that Rex Tillerson,  the Chief Executive of ExxonMobil will be the President Elect's nominee for Secretary of State.  His alleged Russian interests notwithstanding,  what damns him more in my eyes is the fact that's he's an executive of one of the world's largest Oil Companies.  Not because of his corporate interests,  per se,  but because his Corporations interest is the vehement denial of the existence of Anthropogenic Climate Change  (Climate change caused by the result of Human Activities).  His corporation has regularly funded "scientific studies" that deny climate change. 
When a person with such apparent biases is picked for the position of Secretary of State,  it has consequences far beyond our scope of understanding at the moment. As the Secretary of State,  Rex Tillerson will be America's Top Diplomat,  and most probably in a Trump Presidency,  the primary policy maker as well.  He would,  in his role,  take a leading role in all negotiations and discussions happening under a variety of different frameworks,  including under The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),  and under the UN Framework on Climate Change.  Mr. Tillerson will be a deathblow to the existence of international treaties and agreements attempting to reverse the impact of Climate Change and Global warming. 

To counter the unprecedented effects of man made climate change,  it is necessary that we all agree on basic facts on the basis of Overwhelming scientific consensus. Our generation must not be damned by future generations for not saving our planet from damnation.  Hopefully,  Donald Trump's avowed Anti- Climate Change Politics will awake and Crystallise a lobby to take further the progress in trying to fight Climate Change.  China (PRC)  has already reiterated its commitment to fight climate change,  and so as India.  We must look forward to the future of Fighting climate change with pessimism,  but hope regardless. 

Addendum 1
It has emerged later today that Mr. Tillerson is more of a "Moderate"  in the Trump Circus.  He acknowledges Global Warming,  but thinks "it's more of an engineering problem"  and has a failed in his assessment to note the severity and scope of the issue. 
It seems that he is not a Climate Science "Denier"  but a skeptic.  He has mooted solutions to the problem,  but those are that merely peck at its root.  His optimism is based according to his perspective, that we've evolved ourselves drastically over the course of centuries with the advancement of technology.  His idea is basically 'We'll solve it when it becomes big enough'  and I would like to passionately disagree.  If we do not take this problem right now,  it will grow into an immortal Hydra that will destroy our species and wreck the planet. 

Hoping,  however,  for the best. 

References
Washington Post:Rex Tillerson on Climate Change
Slate:ExxonMobil is the worst Oil Company

Supreme Court: Overreach par extraordinaire*

This is not an Article on the Legality of the Order/ Judicial or Legal Perspective. This is an opinion piece. Read more about the Legal Perspective in This Article, this one or other articles mentioned below. 

The Supreme Court in an recent Order (which is thankfully interim, and hopefully will be revised) has issued Guidelines to " [show] requisite and necessary respect when the National Anthem is sung or played." Under it is Guidelines that make sense ( To avoid Commercial Exploitation or Use of the Anthem) But how does it affect the Copyrights of Musicians performing the National Anthem Affected?
Then the Order pushes on to the part we're all talking about : The National Anthem in Cinema Halls. In the final concluding comments, the Justices state

: " The directions are issued, for love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the National Anthem as well as to the National Flag. That apart, it would instill the feeling within one, a sense committed patriotism and nationalism."

Of course, it makes sense for the Supreme Court to foster and instill patriotism and nationalism in the citizens of the country. But singing the National Anthem before a Feature Film in a Cinema Hall will instill it?
I mean, c'mon!

What if we're going to sing the anthem before what general society considers to be an immoral sleazy picture like "The Dirty Picture"? Is that respectful to the national anthem? The basis of the whole order?

The order then quotes the famed Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, the uneforcable "Fundamental Duties" placed on citizens.
Article 51(a) of course, places an obligation to respect the Constitution and respect the National Flag and National Anthem - and according to the SC order, we'll have to respect it and display our patriotism before we watch well, whatever.
An Interesting thing about this whole plea is the history behind the Petitioner and Judge:
Some years ago, while watching the movie Kabhi Kush Kabhi Gham, the petitioner, stood up for a part where the National Anthem was played, in patriotic vigor. People asked him to sit down cause he was obstructing their  view - and in his own words, "I was hurt".  He went against the scene in the Bhopal HC(as any patriot would), where the then High Court Judge Dipak Misra passed an order cutting the the  scene, which the SC later stayed. Revenge is sweet, as J. Misra has clearly crafted it fit into the scenario.

As I noted on facebook, the SC has continuously overreached and made Judicial Legislation for quite some time. The Court Generally exercises the power when there is a vacuum of legislation, and the Legislature to replace the Courts order with comprehensive statue, most famously in the case of the Vishaka Guidelines where the court laid down procedural guidelines for Sexual Harassment cases ( which the Legislature finally made into law in 2013 by passing the The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act) Read more about it here.
Here, the SC has added to the Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act, 1971, which among other things, penalizes the disrespect shown to National Anthem. Did the Constituent Assembly intend to give the SC under Article 141(under which the SC can declare Law) the ability to add provisions as it sees fit? Which makes absolutely no difference in the problems or issues faced by Citizens?

Curious times indeed.
This order is a brazen display of the extent of the powers that the Supreme Court has appropriated for itself. With one swish of a pen, two judges have made every film screening into a forced display of patriotism for its citizens.



References:
"National Anthem Order doesn't seem practical" by Free Press Journal (Editorial)
"SC Anthem Order a case of overreach" by Deccan Chronicle
"Supreme Court's National Anthem Order mocks Judicial Process, Constitution" by Alok Prasanna Kumar , FirstPost
"Playing of National Anthem and Laws" by Sruthi Radhakrishnan, The Hindu
"A Legal Overdose of patriotism" by Apar Gupta, Live Mint
"SC's National Anthem order: What we need is Culture of Patriotism" by Sandipan Sharma, FirstPost

Also, the report that said SC  rejected a plea to make National Anthems mandatory at courts ( as reported here by Scroll) was actually rejected on technical grounds, as reported by LiveLaw here.

A tribute.

 Hemukata Hillocks, Hampi. 

I don't have any photos of you. I never thought I'd need one.

I still remember when I got you. You were small and Meek - like me.

In a new school, I didn't think I'd survive.

I was wondering if you'd survive too.

I hugged you tight on the ride home.

I didn't know if my Acha and Amma will accept you.

When I reached home, I cleared a spot and

I fed you and took care of you

Acha and Amma were skeptical at first, but they grew fond of you as well.

I talked to you, which sounds stupid, but I was convinced you could hear me.

But I had to leave to a new place, but you stayed put. You had no choice but too.

I saw glances of you when I was there, but we grew distant.

You grew tall and imposing, and I couldn't not feel proud of you.

When I planted you, I thought you'd be there forever.

I thought, no matter how much my life changed,

No matter what happened, when I come back, you'd be there,

Where you always was.

But I was wrong.

I learnt today, you're gone.

You're gone forever.

And I didn't say goodbye.

I'm sorry.

I should have spend more time with you.

I should have thought about you more often.

But I didn't.

And there is no excuse for that.

But I'll keep your memory alive.

I promise.

A tribute to അപ്പൂപ്പൻ (Grandfather), a Mahagony tree given to me on June 5, 2007, as part of World Environment Day Celebrations. I saw that he was cut down today, at my old house.

Mother

Mother give me tolerance, for I am intolerant
Mother give me patience, to fight this stupidity.
Mother, give me patience, to fight ignorance.
Mother, give me patience to silence these fools, on the left and the right, the center too.
Mother give me Fire, so I may burn them.
Mother, give me light, so I may shine on them.
Mother give me reason, so I may erase their idiocy.
Mother, give me hope, so I may renew my fight when all is lost.