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Dalai Lama

Context: India raised a strong objection to China's demand that Beijing must approve the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, asserting that no one except the Tibetan spiritual leader himself has the authority to decide on his successor.

Relevance of the Topic Prelims- Key facts about Dalai Lama.

Who is Dalai Lama?

“Dalai Lama” is a title which is a combination of the Mongolic word dalai ('ocean') and the Tibetan word lama ('master, guru').
This title was first conferred in 1578 upon Sonam Gyatso, the leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, by Altan Khan, the first Shunyi King of Ming China.
The first two Dalai Lamas were offered this title posthumously. The Third Dalai Lama was a living leader to receive this title (Sonam Gyatso).

The Dalai Lama Lineage:

The institution of the Dalai Lama is part of the tulku concept in Tibetan Buddhism, in which spiritual masters are reincarnated upon their death, so that their teachings can be preserved and carried forward.
All tulkus in the lineage of the Dalai Lamas are considered manifestations of the Buddha Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
The 14^th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) escaped from Lhasa in 1959 during the Tibetan diaspora and lives in exile in Dharamsala, India. He was recognised as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso at the age of two. Bodhisattvas are persons who are on the path to becoming a Buddha, but who put the liberation of other sentient beings ahead of entering nirvana themselves.
The first Dalai Lama, Gedun Drupa, was born in 1391. Beginning with Lobsang Gyatso (1617-82), the fifth of the line, the Dalai Lama became both the spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhists.

Significance:

The Dalai Lama is the symbol of unification of Tibet.
He represents Buddhist values and traditions not tied to a specific school.
From the 5th Dalai Lama onwards, the lineage was enjoined with the secular role of governing Tibet.

14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan government-in-exile

The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) was born in the hamlet of Taktser in north-eastern Tibet, now Qinghai province of China, on July 6, 1935. He was identified at age 2 as the reincarnation of Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama.
1951: Tibet was annexed by China.
1959: Tibetan national uprising was crushed by Chinese troops. The 14th Dalai Lama escaped from Lhasa along with a group of his followers, and crossed into India at Khenzimane in Arunachal Pradesh.
1960: Jawaharlal Nehru’s government settled him in McLeodganj, Dharamshala, where the Tibetan government-in-exile was established.
2011: Dalai Lama wrote to the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, known as the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, asking to be relieved of his temporal authority. Formal transfer of political power to the democratically elected leader of Tibetans living in exile took place, ending a 368-year-old tradition in which the Dalai Lama was both the spiritual and political head of Tibetans.

Dalai Lama & China:

China denounces the 14th Dalai Lama as a “splittist”, “traitor”, and an exile with “no right to represent the Tibetan people”, and prohibits any public show of devotion towards him.
In his 2011 statement, the Dalai Lama had said that his reincarnation should be found in a free country, not under Chinese control. No recognition should be given to a reincarnation selected for political purposes by the Chinese government.
Tibetans fear that as the Dalai Lama grows older, Beijing could announce a successor of its choice, and use it to tighten its control over the Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture.

15th Dalai Lama:

2025: 14th Dalai Lama announced that the 600-year-old institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and the Gaden Phodrang Trust (the official office of the Dalai Lama) shall be the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation.

Gaden Phodrang:

Gaden Phodrang refers to the residential quarters of the Dalai Lama lineage from the second Dalai Lama onward at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet.
After the Potala Palace was built (by a decree of the fifth Dalai Lama), the Dalai Lamas moved away from these quarters, and stayed at Potala Palace in winter and Norbulingka (built by the seventh Dalai Lama about 100 years after Potala) in summer. This tradition was followed until the 14th Dalai Lama’s escape from Lhasa to India in March 1959.

There are three institutions associated with Dalai Lama:

1. Gaden Phodrang Trust:

Registered in 2011 in Dharamshala with the aim of recognising the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
It is based in the office of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama heads the trust, whose members include some other aides of the spiritual leader.

2. Gaden Phodrang Foundation:

Tax-exempt Swiss nonprofit with its registered office in Zurich, and is supervised by the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs.
It is funded by charitable contributions made by the founder and the public.
The Dalai Lama is the founder and president of the foundation.
Aim: To maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama, preserve Tibetan culture, promote basic human values, mutual understanding among religions, peace and non-violence, and protection of the environment.

3. Dalai Lama Trust:

Non-profit charitable organisation founded by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2009, headquartered in New Delhi.

Aim: To support the welfare of the Tibetan people and to promote human values, interfaith harmony, and world peace. Support Tibetan students and scholars and fund schools and educational institutions.

Key Facts:

The 14th Dalai Lama was conferred the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Books authored by him: Freedom in Exile (autobiography); Voice for the Voiceless.

Legal dispute over Tomb of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus

Context: Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected a plea seeking to conduct religious and cultural practices at the tomb of Sufi Saint Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Tomb of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus.

The High Court ruled that allowing religious practices at a Centrally Protected Monument was not permissible. Allowing such rituals could lead to a “national loss”, destroying the monument’s “originality, sanctity and vitality”.

Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus

Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus was the 16th century musician and Sufi Saint of Shattari Order.
He was the contemporary of 3 Mughal emperors: Babur, Humayun, and Akbar.
He played an instrumental part in Babur’s conquest of Gwalior fort in 1526. The saint suggested tactics to Mughal Army chiefs to establish their presence in the city and provided privileged information to them which eventually enabled them to plan a secret night attack to capture the fort.
He was also Humayun’s teacher.

About Tomb of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus:

The tomb of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus was built in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh soon after his death in 1563.
It is one of the earliest and most iconic examples of Mughal funerary architecture and is considered one of the most notable structures of Akbar’s reign (1556-1605 CE).
The tomb has influence of Indian architecture, specifically from Gujarat and Rajasthan, which eventually evolved into Indo-Muslim architecture.
It is listed as a Centrally Protected Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It has been maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1962.
The grave of Tansen, legendary musician of Akbar’s Court, is located on the premises of the monument. Tansen was a disciple of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus.

Annual Rath Yatra in Puri

Context: The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will begin in the temple town of Puri, Odisha on June 27, 2025.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Ratha Yatra; Lord Jagannath Temple.

Rath Yatra

The Ratha Yatra, also known as the Ratha Jatra or chariot festival, is a magnificent Hindu celebration held annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India.
It is considered the oldest and largest chariot festival in the Hindu tradition, taking place during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh (June or July).
The festival revolves around the worship of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra.
During the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are ceremoniously pulled in massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
The deities reside in the Gundicha Temple for a week and then return to their abode in the Jagannath temple (Bahuda Yatra).

About Jagannath Temple

Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
The present temple was rebuilt by the king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Anantavarman Chodaganga, in the 10th century CE.
Location: Puri, Odisha (eastern coast of India).
Deities worshipped: Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra
The idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood (neem wood, known as Daru) and is ceremoniously replaced every 12 or 19 years by an exact replica.
The temple is built in the Kalinga Architecture. The temple has distinct sectional structures: Deula, Vimana or Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).

C. Sankaran Nair

Context: The recent film Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is based on Sir C. Sankaran Nair.

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: About C Sankaran Nair and his key Contributions.

About C. Sankaran Nair

Born in the year 1857 in Malabar, Kerala.
He was a liberal constitutionalist, social reformer, and a fierce critic of both British imperialism and reactionary elements within Indian society.
He was a staunch advocate of universal liberty and equality.
He was a brilliant jurist, being appointed as Advocate General of the Madras Presidency and later a judge of the Madras High Court.
Author of book “Gandhi and Anarchy” (1922)- a critique of Gandhi’s political methods, especially non-cooperation and Khilafat movement. Despite his disagreements with Gandhi, Nair acknowledged his global stature.
Nair firmly believed in constitutional methods and rejected political fanaticism. This conviction led him to oppose Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement as well as the Khilafat agitation.
Critic of extreme nationalism, religious mobilisations, and political fanaticism.

Key Achievements:

He was the first Malayali and the only Keralite to preside over the Indian National Congress (Amaravati Session, 1897).
Nair was among the first Indian members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, overseeing portfolios like education and health.
He was a member of London’s National Liberal Club.

Key Contributions:

Vision of Secular India:
- At the 1897 Amravati Congress, Nair advanced a vision of secular India, advocating education for lower castes, upliftment of women, and the dismantling of caste-based barriers.
- He opposed the creation of sectarian institutions like Banaras Hindu University, fearing they would breed communalism.
Resignation over Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: He resigned from Viceroy Executive Council in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Champion of Social Reforms:
- He campaigned for the abolition of caste, equality of women, and reform of the matrilineal system among the Nairs of Kerala.
- He was associated with the Social Reform Conference and believed political freedom was meaningless without social emancipation.
- He resisted the Village Cess Bill in the Madras Legislative Council, which threatened traditional self-governing village systems.
Protector of Free Speech and Education:
- As a Viceroy’s Council member, he refused to allow a church prayer supporting Allied victory during WWI, stating : “Christ does not take sides in war.”
- He advocated English education as a means of women’s empowerment, political awakening, and rational public discourse.He envisioned an India where reason triumphed over dogma.
Political Realism: For Nair, India was not a romantic ideal but a land bound by social evils. He remarked: “India was a land of millions- ignorant, illiterate, half-starved, superstitious, and shackled by caste.” He did not glorify a mystical past, unlike many contemporaries. Instead, he offered a rational, reformist blueprint for a modern India.

Nalanda University

Context: The Nalanda University was established under the Nalanda University Act 2010, by the Ministry of External Affairs. The new campus of Nalanda University was inaugurated in 2024 and is located close to the ruins of the ancient university in Bihar’s Rajgir town. The University now has over 1200 students.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Nalanda University.

About Nalanda Mahavihara:

Introduction:

Nalanda Mahavihara, the 5th-12th Century AD (in ancient and medieval Magadha) university is considered to be one of the greatest centres of learning in ancient India.
The ruins of ancient Nalanda University in Bihar was declared as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016.
The details of the university can be found in the writings of the famous Chinese traveller Huang Tsang. According to him, there were 10,000 monks and 2000 teachers at Nalanda at that time.

Foundation of the Mahavihara:

Nalanda was established during the Gupta Empire period (3rd–6th century CE), and was supported by numerous Indian and Javanese patrons, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
The numismatic evidence discovered at Nalanda suggests that Kumaragupta I was the founder patron of Nalanda.
Kumaragupta’s successors, Budhagupta, Tathagatagupta, Baladitya, and Vajra, later extended and expanded the institution by building additional monasteries and temples. Nalanda, thus flourished through the 5th and 6th centuries under the Guptas.
It was also patronized by King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8^th-12th century CE).
After the fall of the Palas, the monks of Nalanda were patronised by the Pithipatis of Bodh Gaya.

Curriculum and associated scholars:

The curriculum at Nalanda was a skill full of secular and religious knowledge, of the theoretical and the practical.
Curriculum of Nalanda included major Buddhist philosophies like Mahayana, Madhyamaka, Yogachara, Sarvastivada, Hinayana, Samkhya
The curriculum also included other subjects like the Vedas, Sanskrit grammar, medicine, logic, mathematics, astronomy, arts, medicine and even metal casting technique.
The mahavihara had a renowned library that was a key source for the Sanskrit texts that were transmitted to East Asia by pilgrims like Huang Tsang.
Many texts composed at Nalanda played an important role in the development of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.
- Examples: Works of Dharmakirti, the Bodhisattvacharyavatara of Shantideva and the Mahavairocana Tantra.
One of the things that set Nalanda apart from other schools of the time was that it took international students from countries like Korea, Japan, China, Tibet and other parts of Asia.
Part of Nalanda’s mission was to bring Buddhism to the world.
- Nalanda was famed for its learned professors, or Upajjhaya (Upadhaya).
Famous scholars associated with the Mahavihara: Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Vasubandhu, and Asanga.
In the 1190s, the university was destroyed by a marauding troop of invaders led by Turko-Afghan military general Bakhtiyar Khilji, who sought to extinguish the Buddhist centre of knowledge during his conquest of northern and eastern India.

Daojali Hading: Neolithic Site in Assam yields evidence of Early Metallurgy

Context: Recently, a Neolithic habitation site with evidence of early metallurgy has been unearthed in Assam.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Neolithic site Daojali Hading.

Daojali Hading: Neolithic Site in Assam

Archaeological findings at Daojali Hading have confirmed it as a major Neolithic site dating back over 2700 years.
Location: It is situated in the Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest, Dima Hasao district, Assam.
The site was uncovered during the construction of the Lumding-Haflong Road in the 1960s, leading to systematic excavations. These investigations have revealed polished double shouldered celts, cordmarked pottery, mortars and pestles, besides jadeite stone.
The discovery of a furnace and iron slag indicate metallurgical activities. This has provided substantial support for earlier hypotheses that Daojali Hading was a major prehistoric settlement in the northeastern part of India.
The unearthed artefacts linked the site with the broader Eastern and Southeastern Asian Neolithic cultural complex.

Read More: Neolithic Age

Ahilya Bai Holkar

Context: May 31^st marks the birth anniversary of the 18th century Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar who was a great administrator and visionary. In all her dealings with her subjects, Ahilya Bai was guided by her innate generosity and principles.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Ahilya Bai Holkar.

About Ahilyabai Holkar

Born in 1725, she was the Rani of Indore (Holkar dynasty) within the Maratha Confederacy.
She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty, south of Indore on the Narmada River.
After the demise of her husband (Khande Rao) she was trained in military affairs by Malhar Rao Holkar.
She came to power after the passing of her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar.

Contributions in Culture:

Ahilyabai funded the reconstruction of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi (1780) which had been destroyed in the past and subsequently converted into a mosque by Aurangzeb in 1669.
The current structure of Vishnupad Temple, Gaya, Bihar was built by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1787.
Ahilya Bai resurrected the jyotirlingas across the country. Renovations in Somnath, Varanasi, Trambak, Gaya, Pushkar, Vrindavan, Nathdwara, Haridwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath and many other sacred sites were undertaken during her reign.
The Maheshwari Sari are also part of the queen’s legacy. She not only promoted the traditional weave but also paved the way for skilling women, thus empowering them. The production of these saris was not only a way to increase the revenue collection of the state, but provided a steady source of income to the weavers. Under her encouragement, the production of Maheswari saris gained momentum and popularity.

About Holkars of Maratha Confederacy:

The Holkars were Subedar (one of the designations of a governor of a Subah/province) under Peshwa Baji Rao I (Pune seat).
When the Maratha Empire began to weaken due to internal clashes, the Holkars declared themselves the rulers of Indore in Central India, existing as an autonomous member of the Maratha Empire until 1818. After this they were under the protectorate of the British Empire.
The dynasty was founded with Malhar Rao, who joined the service of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire in 1721, and quickly rose to the rank of Subedar.
In the 1720s, he led Maratha armies in Malwa region, and in 1733 was granted 9 parganas in the vicinity of Indore by the Peshwa.
By the time of his death, he ruled much of Malwa, and was acknowledged as one of the five virtually independent rulers of the Maratha Confederacy.
He was succeeded by Ahilyabai Holkar (his daughter-in-law).

International Booker Prize 2025

Context: Writer, activist, and lawyer Banu Mushtaq won the International Booker Prize 2025 for her short story collection Hridaya Deepa (Heart Lamp).

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about International Booker Prize; International Booker Prize 2025.

About Hridaya Deepa (Heart Lamp):

Hridaya Deepa (Heart Lamp) is a collection of twelve short stories written in Kannada by Banu Mushtaq. It is translated from Kannada to English by Deepa Bhasthi.
Heart Lamp narrates the everyday lives of Muslim women moved by their lived experiences of pain and suffering in a patriarchal society.
It became the first Kannada work of literature to be bestowed with the International Booker Prize.

International Booker Prize

International Booker Prize (formerly Man Booker International Prize) is an international literary award hosted in the United Kingdom.
It is awarded annually to:
- single work of fiction or collection of short stories translated into English (originally written in a language other than English) and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
The £50,000 prize for the winning title is shared equally between author and translator. It promotes international literature in the English language.

Shirui Lily Festival

Context: The Shirui Lily Festival commenced in Shirui Village, Ukhrul district, Manipur after a two-years pause due to the long-drawn ethnic conflict in the state.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Shirui Lily Festival.

About Shirui Lily Festival

Annual cultural state festival of Manipur organised by the Manipur Tourism Department.
Initially, the festival was celebrated by the locals of Shirui village to pay tribute to the state flower Shirui Lily. Since 2017, it has been declared as a state festival by the state government of Manipur.
It is designed as an eco-tourism festival to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and to promote tourism to the hills of Ukhrul.
The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, beauty pageant, trash collection marathon etc.

Shirui Lily

The Shirui Lily is a rare endemic species found only on the upper reaches of the Shirui Hill range in Manipur.
IUCN status: Endangered.
Threats: Changing climatic conditions, human encroachment and exploitation of natural resources, habitat invasion by the dense root system of a wild dwarf bamboo species.

Also Read: What Manipur Needs?

Controversy surrounding Digha Jagannath Temple

Context: Servitors of the Jagannath Temple in Puri have warned members of their community against participating in any rituals that are held at the Digh temple, West Bengal, a new replica of the 12th century shrine.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Digha Temple; Lord Jagannath Temple.

Digha Temple, West Bengal

Recently consecrated in April 2025.
Location: Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, about 350 km from Puri, Odisha.
Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Goddess Mahalaxmi.
The 213 foot high temple is a replica of the world famous Puri Temple.
Built in sandstone in the Kalingan architectural style.
Non-Hindus and foreigners would be allowed to enter the Digha shrine – a break from the centuries-old practice of allowing only Hindus in Puri.

Controversy associated with Digha Temple:

Use of the word ‘Dham’ (seat) and a picture of the Nilachakra (metal wheel atop the Puri Temple) for the Digha temple have been questioned. There are only four dham in Hinduism – Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram.
Stone Idols: The idols at the Digha temple are made of stone, which cannot be the case with Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is Daru (wood) Brahma, and he is never made of stone. The idols in Puri are made of neem wood.
Replica of Puri Temple: Performing the same rituals in Digha – and at other Jagannath temples in the country – would dilute the significance of the Puri Temple. The temple could emerge as a competitor to Puri for Bengali tourists and devotees.

About Jagannath temple

Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
The present temple was rebuilt by the king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Anantavarman Chodaganga, in the 10th century CE.
Location: Puri, Odisha (eastern coast of India).
Deities worshipped: Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra
The idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood (neem wood, known as Daru) and is ceremoniously replaced every 12 or 19 years by an exact replica.
The temple is built in the Kalinga Architecture. The temple has distinct sectional structures: Deula, Vimana or Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
Ratha Yatra or chariot festival is a magnificent Hindu celebration held annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. During the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are ceremoniously pulled in massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

Also Read: Jagannath Temple Corridor

Veerashaiva-Lingayats to seek separate Religion Code in upcoming Census

Context: Veerashaiva-Lingayats are demanding a separate religion code for the community in the upcoming National Census that will likely commence in 2026.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Veerashaiva-Lingayats.

Basava & Lingayats

Basava, a 12th century philosopher and social reformer, was the founder of the Shaivite sect called Lingayats. He was the Prime Minister during the reign of Kalachuri dynasty King Bijjala (I) of the Kalachuri dynasty in the 12th century Karnataka.
Veerashaivas are a sub-sect of Lingayats and ardent followers of Lord Shiva. They preceded Basavanna, the founder of Lingayatism. Veerashaivism has its roots in the Vedas and Agamas, and they only worship Lord Shiva.
Basava advocated equality of all human beings, irrespective of caste and that all forms of manual labour are equally important.
He rejected temple worship and rituals led by Brahmins and replaced it with personalised direct worship of Shiva through practices such as individually worn icons and symbols like a small linga (known as Ishtalinga).
His poetry was known as Vachanaas and primarily focused on socio-cultural reforms. He rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions, and rituals.

Key concepts in Lingayatism

Anubhav Mantapa: Considered to be the first parliament in the history of mankind. Proceedings of Anubhav Mantapa are recorded in the form of Vachana Literature.
Kaayaka (Manual labour): Working for survival with a divine mindset which is mandatory to every individual. Without Kaayaka nobody has the right to live.
Daasooha (Charity): Part of the earnings from Kaayaka must be spent on the welfare of the poor called Dasooha. It is a voluntary contribution from one’s own earned wealth.
Sharanas: Sharanas are common followers of Lingayat beliefs.

Political and Social Background: Veerashaiva-Lingayats

The Veerashaiva Mahasabha in 1940 had passed a resolution seeking a separate religion tag for Veerashaiva-Lingayats and petitioned the then British government.
Ahead of the 2011 census too, the Veerashaiva Mahasabha had petitioned the Centre seeking the religion code. But after being denied the same, the community members, through a “jana jagruthi jatha” were asked to write “Veerashaiva-Lingayat” in the column meant for “others” instead of identifying as Hindus.
- In 2011, separate codes were assigned to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. There was a separate column for “other religions and persuasions”.
Veerashaiva-Lingayats are the dominant land-owning community in north and central Karnataka, and seen as politically powerful too. They are a part of backward classes Category in the current OBC classification in the state.
Their population in Karnataka is about 66.3 lakh or about 11% of the State population. Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is also spread across in neighbouring Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Raghuji Bhonsle I

Context: The state government of Maharashtra has reclaimed the famous "Raghuji Sword" of the 18th century Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle I for Rs 47.15 lakh at an auction in London, United Kingdom.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Raghuji Bhonsle.

About Raghuji Bhonsle I

Raghuji Bhonsle I (reign 1739–1755) was a distinguished Maratha general under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
He was the founder of the Nagpur-based Bhosale dynasty, which became a significant power center within the Maratha Confederacy.
He led pivotal military campaigns in Bengal in 1745 and 1755, greatly expanding the Maratha Empire’s territory into Bengal and Odisha.
His influence also extended to regions in Central India such as Chanda, Chhattisgarh and Sambalpur.
His successful campaigns in South India resulted in the defeat of the Nawabs of Kurnool and Cuddapah, and further solidified Maratha dominance in the region.
He was honoured with the title ‘Senasaheb Subha’ by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, impressed by his bravery and military acumen.

Raghuji Sword

The sword bears an inscription in Devanagari script on its spine, suggesting that it was made for Raghuji Bhonsle I.
The sword exemplifies the ‘European’ style of Maratha weaponry — characterised by a straight, single-edged European blade paired with a locally crafted Mulheri hilt, beautifully adorned with intricate gold inlay.
The European-made blade reflects the active global arms trade in 18th-century India, emphasising the intersection of Indian and European craftsmanship.

Note:

Nagpur Bhosales ruled over a mineral-rich region abundant in iron and copper, which were skilfully used to craft both everyday items and formidable weapons. The quality and artistry of the weaponry crafted by the Bhosales are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship.
Following the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi, where the East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhosales, the British looted the Bhosale treasury, seizing priceless treasures, ornaments and weapons.

The artifact will be brought back to India shortly, where it is expected to be displayed in a museum or heritage institution.