Nilkantha Palace
Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Other Names
Imarat-i-Dilkhusha (heart-pleasing abode)
Nilkanth Temple
Akbar:
Born: 15th October, 1542
Father: Humayun
Mother: Hamida Banu Begum
Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, who ruled from 11th February, 1556 to 27th October, 1605. His father died, when he was very young. So, Bairam Khan, who later became commander-in-chief of the Mughal army, became the regent of Akbar.
Died: 27th October, 1605
Jodha Bai:
Born: 1545
Father: Raja Bharmal of Amer (later Kingdom of Jaipur)
Mother: Rani Champavati Solanki
Mariam-uz-Zamani, also known as Jodha Bai, was the chief consort & favourite wife of Akbar. She was a Hindu Rajput. After her marriage, she gave birth to twins, Hassan Mirza & Hussain Mirza, who died few days after their birth. Then, Salim was born, who later became Jahangir.
Many people say that the name Jodha Bai is a misnomer in the history of India.
Died: 19th May, 1623
Nilkanth:
Also spelled as Neelkanth. It is a Sanskrit word (meaning: blue throat). It refers to Lord Shiva because of his blue throat, which happened due to the effect of the poison, which he drank at the time of Samudra Manthan.
Samudra Manthan:
It is a Hindu mythological event, where Devas (Gods), led by Vishnu, & Asuras (Demons), led by Bali, churned the Ocean of Milk (Kshira Sagara) to obtain Amrit (nectar of immortality). 14 treasures were produced in this deadly battle, along with Halahala, which is a deadly poison and can destroy all creations of the universe.
Lord Shiva:
He drank the poison (Halahala) to save the universe, as a result of which his throat became blue.
Other names of Lord Shiva:
- Mahadeva
- Shankara
- Bholenath
- Nataraja
- Maheshwara
- Rudra
- Pashupatinath
- Gangadhara
- Bhairava
- Mahakala
- Trilokesha
- Shambhu
- Pinakin
Har Har Mahadev!!!
Jai Shiv Shambhu!!!
Mount Mandara:
It is a sacred mountain situated near Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. It is around 750 feet tall granite mountain.
Things used in Samudra Manthan:
- Mount Mandara (used as a churning rod)
- The mountain was placed on the back of Kurma (giant turtle avatar of Lord Vishnu)
- Vasuki (serpent king) used as a rope
14 Treasures:
Also known as 14 Ratnas.
- Halahal (Kalakuta)
- Kamadhenu (Surabhi): The divine wish-fulfilling cow, gifted to the sages.
- Uchchaihshravas: The divine white seven-headed horse, taken by Indra.
- Airavata: The majestic white elephant with multiple tusks, taken by Indra.
- Kaustubha Mani: The most precious gem, adorned by Lord Vishnu.
- Parijat: The divine tree with fragrant flowers, taken to Indralok.
- Rambha (Apsaras): Divine beauties and celestial nymphs, taken by the Devas.
- Lakshmi (Sri): The Goddess of Wealth & Prosperity, who married Lord Vishnu.
- Varuni (Madira): The Goddess of Wine & Intoxicating Drink, accepted by the Asuras.
- Chandra: The Moon, which was adorned by Lord Shiva.
- Panchajanya: The divine white conch shell, taken by Lord Vishnu.
- Sharanga: A powerful, unbreakable divine bow, given to Lord Vishnu.
- Dhanvantari: The Physician of the Gods and founder of Ayurveda.
- Amrita (Amrit): The nectar of immortality in a golden pot, brought by Dhanvantari.
Mughal Empire
| Babur (1526 – 1530) | Humayun (1530 – 1540 & 1555 – 1556) | Akbar (1556 – 1605) | Jahangir (1605 – 1627) |
| Shah Jahan (1628 – 1658) | Aurangzeb (1658 – 1707) | Azam Shah (14th March, 1707 – 20th June, 1707) | Bahadur Shah (1707 – 1712) |
Sur Empire, eshtablished by Sher Shah Suri, ruled from 1540 – 1555.
After Bahadur Shah, the Mughal Empire started to decline. Most of the rulers were either puppet rulers or titular rulers, who were controlled by:
- Sayyid brothers
- Marathas
- British East India Company
| Jahandar Shah (1712 – 1713) first puppet emperor | Farrukhsiyar (1713 – 1719) puppet emperor under the Sayyids of Barha |
| Rafi ud-Darajat (28th February, 1719 – 6th June, 1719) puppet emperor under the Sayyids of Barha |
Shah Jahan II (6th June, 1719 – 17th September, 1719) puppet emperor under the Sayyids of Barha |
| Muhammad Shah (1719 – 1748) puppet emperor under the Sayyids of Barha |
Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748 – 1754) largely dominated by his mother and court factions |
| Alamgir II (1754 – 1759) controlled by his vizier, Imad-ul-Mulk |
Shah Jahan III (1759 – 1760) controlled by Imad-ul-Mulk |
| Shah Alam II (1760 – 1788 & 1788 – 1806) first controlled by regional powers and later by British East India Company |
Shah Jahan IV (31st July, 1788 – 11th October, 1788) puppet of Ghulam Kadir |
| Akbar Shah II (1806 – 1837) puppet of British East India Company |
Bahadur Shah II (1837 – 1857) titular emperor |
Bahadur Shah II or Bahadur Shah Zafar or Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-din Muhammad was exiled to Rangoon, Burma, by the British, in October 1858, after being found guilty of treason, rebellion and aiding the Revolt of 1857 (Sepoy Mutiny). He died there, in Rangoon, in 1862.
One day, William Stephen Raikes Hodson, while riding his horse with his small troop, found a party carrying the 3 princes:
- Mirza Mughal (son of Bahadur Shah Zafar)
- Mirza Khizr Sultan (son of Bahadur Shah Zafar)
- Mirza Abu Bakr (grandson of Bahadur Shah Zafar)
There was also a crowd of curious villagers and armed civilians. Hodson caught them and ordered the princes to get off the cart. The upper garments of the princes were stripped off and, then, shot with a gun (by Hodson) in front of the crowd. The signet ring, turquoise arm-bands, bejewelled swords and other jewels & valuables were pocketed by Hudson as trophies of war from the dead-bodies of the half-nacked princes. Then, the half-nacked bodies were thrown into the bullock-cart, taken to police station (kotwali) within the city, thrown on the ground and left exposed there for all to see. Thus, putting an end to the great Mughal Empire.
Today, the gate near which the execution was performed, is known as Khooni Darwaza (meaning: Bloody Gate or Murder Gate). It is located near Delhi Gate, Delhi, India.
Rangoon is now officially known as Yangon, which is in Mayanmar (formerly Burma).