Indian Columbus

In the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, at the junction of Safdarjung Road , Kamraj Marg , and Teen Murti Marg , stands a striking traffic island adorned with three mounted cavalrymen, lances raised and eyes fixed forward. This is the Teen Murti Memorial —a powerful tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers who fought far from home in the First World War. While thousands of people pass by it daily, few know the story behind this monument and the historic battle it commemorates. Bronze Statues of Indian Cavalry Regiments – Teen Murti Memorial A Memorial to Indian Cavalry Regiments The Teen Murti Memorial was unveiled in 1922 to honour the soldiers of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade , which was composed of three regiments from Indian princely states: Mysore Lancers Jodhpur Lancers Hyderabad Lancers These regiments played a pivotal role in the Battle of Haifa on 23 September 1918 , one of the final and most dramatic cavalry charges in military history, during the camp...

Just a few steps from India Gate , in the heart of New Delhi, stands the National War Memorial , a solemn and dignified space dedicated to the soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty after India gained independence. Inaugurated in 2019, the memorial addresses a long-standing void. While India Gate commemorated soldiers of colonial-era wars, independent India’s fallen heroes now have a tribute befitting their sacrifice. This monument is not just a space for remembrance; it is a sacred circle of national gratitude and pride. lose-Up of Ashoka Emblem at National War Memorial, Delhi A Long-Awaited Tribute The India Gate , built in 1931, honours the memory of Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. However, for decades, independent India lacked a national-level memorial for its own military martyrs. After persistent demand from the armed forces and veterans, the National War Memorial was envisioned and const...

Long before the modern Parliament House came into being, India's legislative activities were centered in a magnificent circular building in New Delhi. Known today as the Old Parliament House , this iconic structure stood witness to colonial rule, India’s hard-earned independence, and the growth of the world’s largest democracy for nearly a century. Even after the inauguration of the new Parliament building in 2023, the old circular structure remains an important symbol of India's political journey. Historical Background The Old Parliament House was originally called the Council House during British rule. It was built as part of the new capital city of Delhi, following the Delhi Durbar of 1911 , where the British announced the transfer of India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Foundation Stone : Laid in 1921 Inaugurated : 18 January 1927 Architects : Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker Original Purpose : Seat of the Imperial Legislative Council After I...

India Gate has long stood as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the First World War. For decades, a nearby sandstone canopy remained empty—once the site of the statue of King George V, removed after India gained independence. That empty space found its rightful occupant in 2022, when a magnificent statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was installed, symbolizing a bold reclaiming of India's national identity. In this article, let us explore the story behind this new landmark in Delhi. Statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate in Delhi A Historical Location Reimagined The canopy near India Gate , constructed in 1936 during the British Raj, remained vacant for nearly 55 years after the colonial statue was removed in 1968. This prominent location, directly on the Kartavya Path (formerly known as Rajpath), is surrounded by symbols of India's national pride: India Gate, the National War Memorial, and views extending towards Rashtrapati ...

In the previous episodes of this series, I explored the extraordinary life-size sculptures housed within two mandapas of the Krishnapuram Venkatachalapati Temple , each pillar telling stories in stone with a finesse unique to the Nayaka period. In the previous article, I also traced the historical roots and inscriptions that reveal the temple's founding and sustenance. With this final episode, I now shift focus to the presiding deity , subsidiary shrines , and the architectural spaces that complete this magnificent temple. Krishnapuram Temple 🛕 The Temple Layout and Entrance The east-facing temple welcomes visitors with a gigantic five-tiered rajagopuram , a towering gateway that announces the grandeur within. Leading to this tower is a long covered pillared mandapa , where stone and light interact with quiet majesty. The base of the rajagopuram is richly detailed: Miniature shrines , vimanas , and kumbha panjarams Horse-shoe-shaped elements and small relief figur...

About 13 kilometers from Tirunelveli lies the temple town of Krishnapuram , home to the architecturally resplendent Venkatachalapati Temple . While the temple is celebrated for its masterfully carved Nayaka-period sculptures, it also holds immense value as a historical and epigraphical site . A closer look at the stone inscription and five copper plates preserved within the temple reveals fascinating details about its origin, administration, and endowments. In this 12th episode , we set aside the sculptural exploration and turn to the historical narrative —as told through inscriptions dated to the 16th century CE , supported by copper plate grants and early literary references. Krishnapuram Temple 🗿 Stone and Copper Plate Inscriptions The temple has: Two Tamil stone inscriptions engraved on the wall of the central shrine . Five copper plate grants , primarily in Sanskrit and Nandināgari script , offering rich details about land grants, religious activities, and political p...

About 13 kilometers from Tirunelveli lies the historically resonant village of  Krishnapuram , home to the awe-inspiring  Venkatachalapati Temple . For those unable to journey to Tirupati, this 16th-century shrine offers a sacred alternative. But beyond spiritual fulfilment, Krishnapuram offers a breathtaking artistic experience—a sculptural gallery carved in stone, unmatched in narrative and finesse. Unlike typical temple narratives that begin with the presiding deity or architectural layout, Krishnapuram demands a different approach. Here, it is the sculptural brilliance of the  Nayaka period  that commands attention. With photography strictly prohibited inside, every visit becomes a fresh discovery. This is the  11th article  in my series. The first six episodes detailed the remarkable pillars of the  Veerappa Nayakka Mandapa , while the seventh through ninth episodes explored the  north-facing row of the Mukha Mandapa . In the previous episode...