July 16
On July 16th 1856, the remarriage of Hindu widows was legalized across all jurisdictions under the rule of the East India Company. Hindu widows for many years were subject to extreme hardships including the practice of sati, a social funeral practice, which required a widow to immolate herself on the funeral pyre of her husband. Sati was finally banned... Read More →
July 15
On July 15th 1955, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was awarded the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian honour) by then President Rajendra Prasad. Pandit Nehru is remembered not only as India’s first Prime Minister, but also as India’s most charismatic leader who was greatly admired, not only in India, but across the globe, for his idealism and... Read More →
July 14
On July 14th 1636, Aurangzeb was appointed the Viceroy of Deccan by his father and Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb, the son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India. Under the rule of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire stretched from Ghazni to Chittagong and from Kashmir to Karnataka, covering almost the whole of India.... Read More →
July 13
On July 13th 1830, the Scottish Church College was established by popular Indian religious and social reformer, Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Alexander Duff, a Christian missionary in India. The school had a humble beginning with only five students. Located in Kolkata (then Calcutta), the Scottish Church College is one of the oldest colleges for liberal arts and sciences... Read More →
July 12
Bahlol Khan Lodi, founder of the Lodi Dynasty, died in Delhi on July 12th 1489. Bahlol Khan was of Afghan descent and belonged to a family of traders. He was recognized as a renowned warrior and was also the governor of Sirhind (Punjab). Khan came to power after the last Syyed ruler Allaudin Alam Shah stepped down from his... Read More →
July 11
On July 11th 2000, noted Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam was honoured with the highest award for Punjabi literature, the Shatabdi Samman. Amrita Pritam remains one of the most popular figures in Punjabi literature today and was a Punjabi writer and poet and is considered as one of the most prominent among poets, novelists and essayists. Pritam was born on August... Read More →
July 10
On July 10th 1806, the Vellore mutiny broke out against the British by south Indian soldiers at Vellore (now in Tamil Nadu). The Vellore Mutiny was the first large-scale mutiny by Indian soldiers against the British, setting the stage for the 1857 mutiny. Even though this mutiny was short lived and lasted only one day, it was violent and... Read More →
July 9
The Bombay Stock Exchange, also known as the BSE Ltd, was formed in Mumbai (then Bombay) on July 9th 1875. The BSE Ltd, the oldest stock exchange in Asia had a very humble beginning under a Banyan Tree in Mumbai’s town hall. The stock exchange was started by four Gujaratis and one Parsi and gradually the group grew. As the... Read More →
July 8
On July 8th 1972, popular Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly was born in Kolkata. He would be later remembered as one of the most successful cricket captains in modern time. Sourav Ganguly was born to Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly in Kolkata. His father ran a very successful printing business which ensured Sourav Ganguly had a very comfortable childhood. Initially Sourav Ganguly... Read More →
July 7
On July 7th 1896, the Lumiere Brothers showcased six films at the Watson Hotel in Mumbai (then Bombay) and this marked the birth of Indian cinema as we know it today. The Lumiere brothers were French Cinematographers who arrived in India after having proved their cinematic excellence in Paris. The screening of the films took place on July 7th 1896... Read More →
