Few gemstones have a history as complicated as the Hope Diamond. The deep blue diamond has passed through royal collections, survived the upheaval of the French Revolution, disappeared for years, resurfaced in London and eventually became one of the most famous objects at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Along the…
Category: History
Legacy of Dr. Wu Lien Teh, The Story Behind the Manchurian Plague
Dr. Wu Lien Teh was a true game-changer when it came to fighting the deadly Manchurian plague. He came up with a new idea to stop the spread of infection. And the bold move ended up saving thousands of lives. His smart and practical methods are now used all over the world and even helped…
Real Story Behind the Cartoon Character ShinChan
I grew up watching Shinchan, and the name still feels familiar to me. The show was very popular, and it still has a huge fan base today. I enjoyed the silly jokes because they made me laugh even on stressful days. It feels amazing to see the show still running on TV. Kids today enjoy…
Nataraj and Apsara Pencils Share a Common Owner, Story of Hindustan Pencil Ltd
Do you remember the type of pencil you used when you were little? You might have used Nataraj or Apsara, which are famous pencil brands in India. We’ve used many different pencils in our lives. Sometimes, we chose them because we liked their color, design, or because they had an eraser or sharpener. But most…
India’s First Billionaire and his Extraordinary Journey
The number of millionaires and billionaires in India is rising. Every day, we read about a businessman achieving great success. Can you imagine a time when wealth was hard to attain and only a few people could afford a luxurious lifestyle? Who was India’s first billionaire? Mir D, the last ruler of Hyderabad, was India’s…
The Hidden Story of India’s ₹10,000 Rupee Note Before 1947
You usually see banknotes of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, and ₹500 in daily use. Before demonetization, you also used ₹1,000 notes. Some of you may have even seen old and rare notes like ₹1, ₹2, and ₹5. After demonetization, the government introduced a new ₹500 note and a new ₹2,000 note. You might think that…
How Darjeeling Became the British Summer Retreat
Darjeeling recently faced heavy rain and landslides, leaving hundreds of tourists and local residents stranded. If you are from Bengal, you probably know that Darjeeling is a favourite holiday spot, especially during the Durga Puja season. This tradition actually goes back to the colonial days. The quiet town that once had only a few local…
The Fascinating History Behind the Invention of Chainsaws
When I think of a chainsaw, I usually imagine a lumberjack cutting wood. Sometimes I also remember scenes from scary movies where a villain uses it to frighten people. But the real reason chainsaws were invented is very different. Medics know this history well, and it is quite surprising. Chainsaws were first made for a…
When an Indian Maharaja Saved Thousands of Polish Children the World Had Forgotten
History remembers wars through battles and treaties. It rarely remembers the people who simply refused to look away. In the middle of World War II, while Europe was tearing itself apart, an Indian ruler made a decision that had nothing to do with politics or power. It was a decision rooted in empathy, and it…
The Reason Behind Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo on Indian Currency Note
Many famous photographers such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Margaret Bourke White, and Max Desfor took powerful and historic photographs of Mahatma Gandhi. These images appear in books, museums, and history lessons. However, the image most people instantly recognize today is the one printed on Indian currency notes. You might think that Gandhi’s photo appeared on…