Studying History

Since long, I wanted to write various blog posts to share my observations, reading, travel and some times pictures taken by me while travelling through India. I travel a lot for professional work. However, I make it a point to spare a day or two to see the place/town. During last few years, I had the opportunity to travel abroad too. I even lived for six months in the little island country Mauritius on professional assignment. I found that, majority of persons, Indian as well as foreign, with whom I interacted, were unaware of India's history, historical places, landmark events of Indian history, India's culture, it's rich tradition of music and food. Every time, I had in mind to do something about this in my own little way. 

The book presented to me by my father in 1972

I am a student of India's history since last about 40 years. I started with history of Marathas i.e. the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when I was still in school. That was followed by detail study on 'Peshvai' i.e. the Peshvas who were Prime Ministers of the Maratha empire and who administered the empire from Pune while the capital was at Satara. My father presented me a book, which is essentially a biography of Ch. Shivaji Maharaj, founder of Maratha empire. The book is still the last word in the life and times of Ch. Shivaji Maharaj. I still the read the book occasionally.

Then I took up the topic of 'Kutubshhahi' and 'Nizamshahi' i.e. history of Hyderabad and Berar. Thereafter I took up history of Rajasthan and then Punjab.

I spent considerable amount of time in studying the history of partition of India, which essentially was about the western part of the sub-continent. I was so mush involved in that study that I landed up learning Punjabi. However, while studying history of partition of India then, I made a mistake, which I now learn, that it is common. I totally neglected the eastern part of the story! The partition of Bengal and creation of east Pakistan which is now known as Bangladesh. I have now corrected my mistake and since last one year or so, started studying history of Bengal and the partition of Bengal. I had brief introduction to Bengal in 1986. I tried to gather material on Bengal's history but could not do so in systematic manner. I did read some stray material on Bengal intermittently. Now I have so much material in hand, which may last for a year or two!

While studying history of all these areas, essentially, the relevant part of history of British empire in India was also covered. I wanted to study the history of British in India in comprehensive and systematic manner but could not do so for various reasons. Now I propose to do it starting with history of Bengal.

I propose to write about history of various parts of India, which I studied, historical places, various cities and villages, Indian culture, Indian food, Indian music and of course my rambles in relation to these topics.

Mishti, Kalighat and Nirbachoni Sandesh

The love of Bengalis for their mishti is simply admirable. They just love their mishti (Bengali Sweets). All over Kolkata, you will find innumerable mishti shops catering to the budget of every single citizen. The varieties are innumerable too. The shop owners are so imaginative, that they create and modify the misty according to the changing seasons and even the changing moods of the city!

Just visit the famous mishti shop at Golpark circle early in the morning. Silently watch the expressions on the face of the owner, who is sitting at the counter. At that time, his only job is to read the small chits of paper and to collect the money from customers. No one is in a hurry. All are taking their own time to go through the round. But, while doing such mundane job, the expressions on his face are just divine. As if he is sitting in the pooja room of his home and in all sincerity, praying Ma Kaali with fullest devotion!

The scene at the age old and famous mishti shop at Kalighat is little different. However, the underlying mood that can be sensed is no different that the earlier shop. BTW do take a walk from Ravindra Sarovar Metro station to Kalighat Metro station. The area is just poetic. From Ravindra Sarovar station walk down under the Tallygunj bridge and then turn to right. Take Sarat Chandra Avenue and walk down circling the Ravindra Sarovar. I just could not pass from there without taking at least 3-4 pauses. The scene is so beautiful. At the crossing main road turn left. Then via Southern Avenue walk to Kalighat Station. While walking from Southern Avenue, there is one Southy hole in the wall kind eating joint. They serve good idlies and chutney too but the sambar is bit difficult to accept. However, one must accept that fact that, after all, he is in Bengal and not in Matunga or Chennai. On that semi circular road, on both sides, you will find cute bungalows and two storied buildings belonging to the names like Das, Basu, Chatterjee, Makherjee, Ganguly etc etc. The area is belonging to circa 1940's-50's pucca.

Near Kalighat Metro station, there is one authentic Punjabi dhaba. It was just love at first sight! After a gap of about 4 days, I could get daal tadka and tandoori roti there! They serve excellent Tandoori Chicken, daal tadka and tandoori roties directly from the 'bhatti' to your plate. Piping hot. No halt in between. They proved their authenticity to a foodie like me by bringing a blob of white butter in a small plate even without asking.

Near the Kalighat temple, there is a mishti shop which I mentioned above. That's a cult shop more than a century old. The owners and managers of that shop are very imaginative. Sensing the political mood of the city due to ongoing Parliamentary (Loksabha) elections, they presented a election special item naming it as "Nirbachoni Sandesh". (Election (special) Sandesh). What a imagination and timing in naming the item! Their show cases are filled with this eye-fetching sweets embossed with symbols of various political parties. Bengalis truly love their mishti!