Saturday, 22 October 2016
Why Is MughaL Empire So Famous
The
Mughal Empire is not a household name outside of the subcontinent. There are people in the US who believe that before the British conquered
India, we all lived in tribes. Well that's OK - most people in India do
not know that much about US history either. The point is that among
people who do know a little bit about Indian history beyond the British
Empire, the Mughal Empire is widely known. I have even seen the Mughals
covered in high school text books in the US. There is a fair bit of
literature on the Mughals written by Western authors, certainly more
than any other dynasty that ruled India (except the British).
The founding of America had its genesis in the finding of India.
Since times immemorial, people from the world over flocked to India for her riches and her splendour. Perhaps, this is best evoked in the Mughal era from where we have chronicles and evidences of such a yearning to trade with India, to see India and to experience India. Why was Mughal India famous?
Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Defender of Faith. To the most invincible and most mightie prince, Lord Zelabdim Echebar, king of Cambaya. Invincible Emperor, The great affection which our subjects have to visit the most distant places of the world, not without good will and intention to introduce the trade of marchandize of al nations whatsoever they can, by which meanes the mutual and friendly trafique of mar- chandize on both sides may come, is the cause that the bearer of this letter John Newbery, jointly with those that be in his company, with a curteous and honest boldnesse, doe repaire to the borders and countreys of your Empire, we doubt not but that Your imperial Majestic through your royal grace will favorably and friendly accept him. And that you would doe it the rather for our sake to make us greatly beholding to your Majestic ; wee should more earnestly, and with more wordes require it, if wee did think it needful.
- Queen Elizabeth I's letter to King "Jalaluddin" Akbar, February 1583
The world was flocking to India: from Persians to Russians, from Abyssinians to Venetians, from Chinese to the English, and the English to Spanish, Dutch, Swedes, Portuguese, Ottomans and French. Why the beeline? Why were the Mogors/Moguls/Mughals/Mon
Economy
It is not strange that in terms of economic history, the Mughal Empire commanded the world's largest GDP by the time it was at its geographical peak under Aurangzeb. Good taxation, stability (at least before Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns started) and so on, led to India commanding around 25% on average of the world's GDP, throughout the Middle and Later Mughal rules. It was often second largest (first being China), overtaking China in in the 16th century A.D. to become's the world's largest economy. India had a monopoly on diamonds, indigo and spices. Her textiles (from muslin to silks to kalamkaaris) and jewellery were in stupendous demand, her sandalwood, ivory, oils, carpets, furniture and a whole horde of things were prized. Trade naturally was the first reason for the growth of India's prominence on the world stage and by extension of the Mughal Empire's which directly ruled and commanded suzerainty from almost all of the Indian subcontinent. a trading firman from the Mughals gave access to world renowned ports along Gujarat on the West or Bengal in the East, and India's strategic location enroute to the Far East was a vital factor in foreigner's race for India too.
This was not just in terms of trade or commerce, several foreigners flocked to the Mughal court individually seeking employment as well. Perhaps, the most notable of these is Ghias Beg, a Persian courtier who sought employment in Akbar's court, rising to great heights via his daughter Nur Jehan being married to Jehangir, and his grand-daughter Mumtaz Begum (of the Taj Mahal fame), rising to become Shah Jehan's chief Queen while her father Asaf Khan served as the Commander of Armed Forces in both Jahangir and Shah Jahan's reigns.
Pomp and Celebration
The Mughals it must be remembered came from a primarily nomadic heritage. The early Mughal Emperors preferred residing in Imperial tents, as compared to palaces! They were more prone to constructing beautiful gardens (like in Kashmir and Afghanistan) than build spectacular edifices. However, post Humayun's return to India, a change took place in their lifestyle. They were the first "celeb royalty" of sorts. Amalgamating Indian customs and Islamic practices, they created an elaborate code for courtly festivals and commemorations A ruler's anniversary of ascending the throne was celebrated in both the lunar and solar calendars. The Persian festival of Nauroz was introduced by Akbar into the court customs and had a fourteen celebration with processions on gold caparisoned elephants which all the public could see. Feats for visiting travelers included preparations brought forth in beds of rubies and emeralds. Gifts were sent daily to emissaries of other lands ranging from gold Mohurs to jewel inlaid weapons, to jewels to gems to all sorts of precious items, so much so the travelers after a some years stay in India went back home and retired from public life often.
They would report the stories of grandeur, pomp and riches in their own courts and countries spurring further interest in India and the Mughal Empire.
Past present: Ambassadors at the Mughal court
Curiosity about the World
Although little known, Mughal Emperors maintained a healthy curiosity about the world beyond India. They received people from all faiths and kinds from Jesuits to Protestants to people from the New World sent as "gifts". Some of their sons like Prince Daniyal, son of Jahangir even studied English!
The Mughals always played off the Ottomans and the Persians against each other, even though it had little to do immediately with their geopolitical interests within India. They were interested in the discoveries of the New World, even in the religious affairs of faraway lands. Consider this letter from Akbar to Philip II of Spain:
As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers... everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquisite discourses and exalted aspirations."
In this letter Akbar chides Philip II of Spain for his policy of discrimination against Protestants, and on the futility of waging wars on the name of religion! Thus, the Mughals were actively involved in engaging other Empires, often sending them grand gifts and exchanging embassies with them.
Fig: Jahangir seated on a European style throne, holding a seamless globe in his hand, which was thought impossible to have been manufactured in medieval times until their recent discovery in Mughal India.
And thus it was, that the idea of Mughal magnificence and grandeur caught hold of the world's imagination.
"Gar firdous bar rue zaminasto; haminasto, haminasto, haminasto!"
- If there be Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.....
(An instance of Jahangir quoting a Persian couplet when on the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.)
Sources: Ain-i-akbari, Akbarnama, Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, Alex Rutherford's novels, Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence, letters of explorers like Hawkins, Fitch, Roe, Niccolo da Conti etc.
The founding of America had its genesis in the finding of India.
Since times immemorial, people from the world over flocked to India for her riches and her splendour. Perhaps, this is best evoked in the Mughal era from where we have chronicles and evidences of such a yearning to trade with India, to see India and to experience India. Why was Mughal India famous?
Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Defender of Faith. To the most invincible and most mightie prince, Lord Zelabdim Echebar, king of Cambaya. Invincible Emperor, The great affection which our subjects have to visit the most distant places of the world, not without good will and intention to introduce the trade of marchandize of al nations whatsoever they can, by which meanes the mutual and friendly trafique of mar- chandize on both sides may come, is the cause that the bearer of this letter John Newbery, jointly with those that be in his company, with a curteous and honest boldnesse, doe repaire to the borders and countreys of your Empire, we doubt not but that Your imperial Majestic through your royal grace will favorably and friendly accept him. And that you would doe it the rather for our sake to make us greatly beholding to your Majestic ; wee should more earnestly, and with more wordes require it, if wee did think it needful.
- Queen Elizabeth I's letter to King "Jalaluddin" Akbar, February 1583
The world was flocking to India: from Persians to Russians, from Abyssinians to Venetians, from Chinese to the English, and the English to Spanish, Dutch, Swedes, Portuguese, Ottomans and French. Why the beeline? Why were the Mogors/Moguls/Mughals/Mon
Economy
It is not strange that in terms of economic history, the Mughal Empire commanded the world's largest GDP by the time it was at its geographical peak under Aurangzeb. Good taxation, stability (at least before Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns started) and so on, led to India commanding around 25% on average of the world's GDP, throughout the Middle and Later Mughal rules. It was often second largest (first being China), overtaking China in in the 16th century A.D. to become's the world's largest economy. India had a monopoly on diamonds, indigo and spices. Her textiles (from muslin to silks to kalamkaaris) and jewellery were in stupendous demand, her sandalwood, ivory, oils, carpets, furniture and a whole horde of things were prized. Trade naturally was the first reason for the growth of India's prominence on the world stage and by extension of the Mughal Empire's which directly ruled and commanded suzerainty from almost all of the Indian subcontinent. a trading firman from the Mughals gave access to world renowned ports along Gujarat on the West or Bengal in the East, and India's strategic location enroute to the Far East was a vital factor in foreigner's race for India too.
This was not just in terms of trade or commerce, several foreigners flocked to the Mughal court individually seeking employment as well. Perhaps, the most notable of these is Ghias Beg, a Persian courtier who sought employment in Akbar's court, rising to great heights via his daughter Nur Jehan being married to Jehangir, and his grand-daughter Mumtaz Begum (of the Taj Mahal fame), rising to become Shah Jehan's chief Queen while her father Asaf Khan served as the Commander of Armed Forces in both Jahangir and Shah Jahan's reigns.
Pomp and Celebration
The Mughals it must be remembered came from a primarily nomadic heritage. The early Mughal Emperors preferred residing in Imperial tents, as compared to palaces! They were more prone to constructing beautiful gardens (like in Kashmir and Afghanistan) than build spectacular edifices. However, post Humayun's return to India, a change took place in their lifestyle. They were the first "celeb royalty" of sorts. Amalgamating Indian customs and Islamic practices, they created an elaborate code for courtly festivals and commemorations A ruler's anniversary of ascending the throne was celebrated in both the lunar and solar calendars. The Persian festival of Nauroz was introduced by Akbar into the court customs and had a fourteen celebration with processions on gold caparisoned elephants which all the public could see. Feats for visiting travelers included preparations brought forth in beds of rubies and emeralds. Gifts were sent daily to emissaries of other lands ranging from gold Mohurs to jewel inlaid weapons, to jewels to gems to all sorts of precious items, so much so the travelers after a some years stay in India went back home and retired from public life often.
They would report the stories of grandeur, pomp and riches in their own courts and countries spurring further interest in India and the Mughal Empire.
Past present: Ambassadors at the Mughal court
Curiosity about the World
Although little known, Mughal Emperors maintained a healthy curiosity about the world beyond India. They received people from all faiths and kinds from Jesuits to Protestants to people from the New World sent as "gifts". Some of their sons like Prince Daniyal, son of Jahangir even studied English!
The Mughals always played off the Ottomans and the Persians against each other, even though it had little to do immediately with their geopolitical interests within India. They were interested in the discoveries of the New World, even in the religious affairs of faraway lands. Consider this letter from Akbar to Philip II of Spain:
As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers... everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquisite discourses and exalted aspirations."
In this letter Akbar chides Philip II of Spain for his policy of discrimination against Protestants, and on the futility of waging wars on the name of religion! Thus, the Mughals were actively involved in engaging other Empires, often sending them grand gifts and exchanging embassies with them.
Fig: Jahangir seated on a European style throne, holding a seamless globe in his hand, which was thought impossible to have been manufactured in medieval times until their recent discovery in Mughal India.
And thus it was, that the idea of Mughal magnificence and grandeur caught hold of the world's imagination.
"Gar firdous bar rue zaminasto; haminasto, haminasto, haminasto!"
- If there be Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.....
(An instance of Jahangir quoting a Persian couplet when on the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.)
Sources: Ain-i-akbari, Akbarnama, Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, Alex Rutherford's novels, Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence, letters of explorers like Hawkins, Fitch, Roe, Niccolo da Conti etc.
Sunday, 9 October 2016
The History of Philips
of things PHILIPS. Though we know Philips most of us dont know where did it all start. This Giant MNC which made a profit of 700 million Euros in 2015 was founded in 1891 by
Gerard Philips and his Father Frederik Philips in Eindhoven in Netherlands. Frederik Philips was a banker financed this company and the company started the production of carbon filament lamps and other electronic products in 1892. Though they started the company it was not very successful in the beginning they faced a near bankruptcy. In 1895 Gerard Philips young brother Anton Philips who was 16 years old came into the business he was an engineer by degree but he started working in sales department.
Anton Philips was a Brilliant innovator he was the brain behind the Philips company we know today.Though Anton Philips was working in sales department he began contributing many important ideas to the company with his arrival the companies business began to grow rapidly, resulting in the foundation of Philips Metaalgoeilampfabriek N.V or simply Philips Metal filament Lamp factory Ltd and Philip Light Bulb Factories Ltd. During World war 1 Anton philips Increased the business by taking advantage of boycott of German goods in many countries.
Anton (and his brother Gerard) are remembered as being civic-minded. In Eindhoven they supported education and social programs and facilities, such as the football department of the Philips Sports Association, which is the best known.
Anton Philips brought his son Frits Philips and grandson Frans Otten into the company in their times. Anton, Otten and other family members escaped the Netherlands just before the Nazi Occupation during World War II. They went to the United States and returned after the war.
On 6 December 1942, The British No. 2 Group RAF led an air raid which heavily damaged the Philips Radio factory in Eindhoven with few casualties among the Dutch workers and civilians. The Philips works in Eindhoven was bombed again by the RAF on 30 March 1943.
Frits Philips,
the son of Anton, was the only Philips family member to stay in the
Netherlands. He saved the lives of 382 Jews by convincing the Nazis that
they were indispensable for the production process at Philips. In 1943 he was held at the internment camp for political prisoners at Vught
for several months because a strike at his factory reduced production.
For his actions in saving the hundreds of Jews, he was recognized by Yad Vashem in 1995 as a "Righteous Among the Nations".
One of the first Philips home radios - Philips Radio 930A (1931) - was
also known as the Chapel Radio This striking and instantly recognizable
radio stands out as key in the move towards the importance of styling
and design at Philips. Previous radio designs were boxy and impersonal,
but the Chapel, designed by Louis Kalff, was shapely and incorporated
the stars and waves of the Philips logo. The Chapel radio was also
ground breaking for its time by virtue of its inbuilt loudspeaker.
Even before the advent of the home radio though and a little known fact,
Philips owned its own radio station. In fact on 11 March 1927 Philips
went on the air with shortwave radio station, PCJJ (later PCJ) which was
joined in 1929 by sister station PHOHI (Philips Omroep Holland-Indië).
PHOHI broadcast in Dutch to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) while
PCJJ broadcast in English, Spanish and German to the rest of the world.
The Philetta tube radio was produced throughout the 1950s, with slight changes made to the design each year. The radio was popular due to its simple appearance, while two lights at the front dramatically lit up the grill when in use. This timeless design was the inspiration for the updated Philips Original Radio (2012), featuring DAB and internet radio.
n the 1930s most electric shavers used a version of the Schick shaving system. This involved a cutter sliding back and forth within a slotted shaving head. Horowitz took a different approach, inspired by Philips' bicycle dynamo technology to create a rotary system with three blades rotating beneath a round, slotted shaving head. In the USA, it was called the “Norelco”, which remains a part of their product line today.
After the war the company was moved back to the Netherlands, with their headquarters in Eindhoven.
n 1972 Philips launched the world's first home video cassette recorder, in the UK, the N1500. Its relatively bulky video cassettes could record 30 minutes or 45 minutes. Later one-hour tapes were also offered. As competition came from Sony's Betamax and the VHS group of manufacturers, Philips introduced the N1700 system which allowed double-length recording. For the first time, a 2-hour movie could fit onto one video cassette. In 1977, the company unveiled a special promotional film for this system in the UK, featuring comedian Denis Norden. The concept was quickly copied by the Japanese makers, whose tapes were significantly cheaper. Philips made one last attempt at a new standard for video recorders with the Video 2000 system, with tapes that could be used on both sides and had 8 hours of total recording time. As Philips only sold its systems on the PAL standard and in Europe, and the Japanese makers sold globally, the scale advantages of the Japanese proved insurmountable and Philips withdrew the V2000 system and joined the VHS Coalition.
Philips had developed a LaserDisc early on for selling movies, but delayed its commercial launch for fear of cannibalizing its video recorder sales. Later Philips joined with MCA to launch the first commercial LaserDisc standard and players. In 1982, Philips teamed with Sony to launch the Compact Disc; this format evolved into the CD-R, CD-RW, DVD and later Blu-ray, which Philips launched with Sony in 1997 and 2006 respectively.
In 1984, Philips split off its activities on the field of photolithographic integrated circuit production equipment, the so-called wafer steppers, into a joint venture with ASM International, located in Veldhoven under the name ASML. Over the years, this new company has evolved into the world's leading manufacturer of chip production machines at the expense of competitors like Nikon and Canon.
Philips currently has 105,365 employees and has 3 divisions namely
World headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Gerard Philips and his Father Frederik Philips in Eindhoven in Netherlands. Frederik Philips was a banker financed this company and the company started the production of carbon filament lamps and other electronic products in 1892. Though they started the company it was not very successful in the beginning they faced a near bankruptcy. In 1895 Gerard Philips young brother Anton Philips who was 16 years old came into the business he was an engineer by degree but he started working in sales department.
Anton Philips was a Brilliant innovator he was the brain behind the Philips company we know today.Though Anton Philips was working in sales department he began contributing many important ideas to the company with his arrival the companies business began to grow rapidly, resulting in the foundation of Philips Metaalgoeilampfabriek N.V or simply Philips Metal filament Lamp factory Ltd and Philip Light Bulb Factories Ltd. During World war 1 Anton philips Increased the business by taking advantage of boycott of German goods in many countries.
Anton (and his brother Gerard) are remembered as being civic-minded. In Eindhoven they supported education and social programs and facilities, such as the football department of the Philips Sports Association, which is the best known.
Anton Philips brought his son Frits Philips and grandson Frans Otten into the company in their times. Anton, Otten and other family members escaped the Netherlands just before the Nazi Occupation during World War II. They went to the United States and returned after the war.
World War II
On 9 May 1940, the Philips directors learned that the German invasion of the Netherlands was to take place the following day. Having prepared for this, Anton Philips and his son in law Frans Otten, as well as other Philips family members, fled to the United States, taking a large amount of the company capital with them. Operating from the U.S. as the North American Philips Company, they managed to run the company throughout the war. At the same time, the company was moved (on paper) to the Netherlands Antilles to keep it out of American hands.On 6 December 1942, The British No. 2 Group RAF led an air raid which heavily damaged the Philips Radio factory in Eindhoven with few casualties among the Dutch workers and civilians. The Philips works in Eindhoven was bombed again by the RAF on 30 March 1943.
Frits Philips,
the son of Anton, was the only Philips family member to stay in the
Netherlands. He saved the lives of 382 Jews by convincing the Nazis that
they were indispensable for the production process at Philips. In 1943 he was held at the internment camp for political prisoners at Vught
for several months because a strike at his factory reduced production.
For his actions in saving the hundreds of Jews, he was recognized by Yad Vashem in 1995 as a "Righteous Among the Nations".Statue of Frits Philips in Eindhoven
Philips Radio and Record players
Philips chapel radio model 930A, 1931
The Philetta tube radio was produced throughout the 1950s, with slight changes made to the design each year. The radio was popular due to its simple appearance, while two lights at the front dramatically lit up the grill when in use. This timeless design was the inspiration for the updated Philips Original Radio (2012), featuring DAB and internet radio.
Shavers
The first Philips shaver was introduced in the 1930s, and was simply called “The Philishave”.
n the 1930s most electric shavers used a version of the Schick shaving system. This involved a cutter sliding back and forth within a slotted shaving head. Horowitz took a different approach, inspired by Philips' bicycle dynamo technology to create a rotary system with three blades rotating beneath a round, slotted shaving head. In the USA, it was called the “Norelco”, which remains a part of their product line today.
After the war the company was moved back to the Netherlands, with their headquarters in Eindhoven.
n 1972 Philips launched the world's first home video cassette recorder, in the UK, the N1500. Its relatively bulky video cassettes could record 30 minutes or 45 minutes. Later one-hour tapes were also offered. As competition came from Sony's Betamax and the VHS group of manufacturers, Philips introduced the N1700 system which allowed double-length recording. For the first time, a 2-hour movie could fit onto one video cassette. In 1977, the company unveiled a special promotional film for this system in the UK, featuring comedian Denis Norden. The concept was quickly copied by the Japanese makers, whose tapes were significantly cheaper. Philips made one last attempt at a new standard for video recorders with the Video 2000 system, with tapes that could be used on both sides and had 8 hours of total recording time. As Philips only sold its systems on the PAL standard and in Europe, and the Japanese makers sold globally, the scale advantages of the Japanese proved insurmountable and Philips withdrew the V2000 system and joined the VHS Coalition.
Philips had developed a LaserDisc early on for selling movies, but delayed its commercial launch for fear of cannibalizing its video recorder sales. Later Philips joined with MCA to launch the first commercial LaserDisc standard and players. In 1982, Philips teamed with Sony to launch the Compact Disc; this format evolved into the CD-R, CD-RW, DVD and later Blu-ray, which Philips launched with Sony in 1997 and 2006 respectively.
In 1984, Philips split off its activities on the field of photolithographic integrated circuit production equipment, the so-called wafer steppers, into a joint venture with ASM International, located in Veldhoven under the name ASML. Over the years, this new company has evolved into the world's leading manufacturer of chip production machines at the expense of competitors like Nikon and Canon.
Philips currently has 105,365 employees and has 3 divisions namely
| Philips Consumer Lifestyle Philips Healthcare Philips Lighting |
World headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands
List of CEOs
Past and present CEOs:- 1891–1922: Gerard Philips
- 1922–1939: Anton Philips
- 1939–1961: Frans Otten
- 1961–1971: Frits Philips
- 1971–1977: Henk van Riemsdijk
- 1977–1981: Nico Rodenburg
- 1982–1986: Wisse Dekker
- 1986–1990: Cornelis Van der Klugt
- 1990–1996: Jan Timmer
- 1996–2001: Cor Boonstra
- 2001–2011: Gerard Kleisterlee
- 2011–now: Frans van Houten
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Unknown facts about Taj Mahal
We have all heard about one of the greatest architecture in the world TAJ MAHAL. Its one of the most beautiful buildings one will ever see. This building is the work of great Mughal architecture. This Great structure stands on banks of Yamuna river.
Taj mahal as we all know was built by shah jahan in 17th century. It is a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz mahal. The construction of Taj mahal was started in 1631 and was completed in 1653. The cost required to build the Taj mahal was around 32 million Indian rupees during that time. For the period of 22 years around 20,000 men were forced to work to build Taj mahal.
As the world and we all know Shah jahan built taj mahal for the love he had for Mumtaz mahal his 4th Wife but how true is that??. Mumtaz Mahal was beautiful no doubt but did shah jahan actually do it out of love. Shah jahan killed mumtaz husband to marry her and after she died giving birth to their 14th child he married her sister. The love that we know shah jahan had for mumtaz how true is it??
The early 17th century was a starting time for failure of The Mughal Empire. There were many reason for their decline in power. One of the most major reason is due to Conflict with the Marathas.
Some of other reasons are
Over-expansion of the Mughal Empire
Weakness of AdministrationForeign Invasion
Agrarian Crisis
Failure of Military Strength
Thus there began a dark period in the Mughal Empire. People were unemployed and thus were not able to pay taxes as they had no money the Mughal Empire was practically Bankrupt. They had no money to pay to their soldiers thus army was weakened.
Thus to recover form this Crisis Scholars in the court of shah jahan suggested him a brilliant idea by which everyone would be benefited and Mughal Empire could rise again
This was the the plan to built a structure whose construction would take ages and thus creating employment among people. This Structure Would Require labours By this The labours would get jobs which would give them money. As employment was created there would be circulation of money in the market thus starting Trade again in the region as trade would have started and people had money to buy things they would start paying Taxes and this Went on for 20 years.
For 20 years people were employed in building Taj Mahal and thus gave Mughal Empire the time to get back on track. These people ended up creating one of the most beautiful Structure in the world though it was started for a totally different reason and with no intention of making something so beautiful.
The rest of the story about Shah Jahan Building it was created later on and as it was so beautiful and none of us really know Shah Jahan we believed it and continued believing it.
Taj Mahal is actually a symbol of Survival of Mughal Empire.
Image Source- Google images
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)