Medieval History Of J&K( 855- 1752 AD)

CHAPTER 2 

Medieval History of J&K 

• Medieval history is the period of many unpredictable changes , rulers & dynasties. 
•  Hindus , Muslims as well as Mughals were rulers. 
• It was period from 855-1752 AD that is from Utpala to Mughals 

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Rulers & Dynasties:-

1.Utpala Dynasty (855- 939 AD)

2.Brahminic Rule ( 939-948 AD)

3.Gupta Rule  ( 948-1003 AD)

4.Lohara Dynsaty ( 1003-1171 AD)  

5.Deva Dynasty (1171-1339 AD)

6.Shah Mir Dynasty (1339-1555AD)

7.Chak Dynasty (1555-1586 AD ) 

8.Mughals (1587-1752AD)

UTPALA DYNASTY (855-939 AD ) :-

Founder :- Avantivarnam ( 855-883AD) in 855AD
Avantivarnam- founded Avantipora ( as Capital )  & also established two temples(Shiva & Vishnu) 
During his reign, Suyya ( Famous Engineer of Kashmir) founded Suyyapur( Sopore) .
Other rulers- Shankar Varnam> Sugandha> Partha> Nirajita Varnam> shambhu Varnam> Chandra varnam > Unmatta Vanti 
Unmatta Vanti was last ruler of Utpala dynasty(937-939 AD) 

BRAHMINIC RULE( 939-948 AD) :-

• Yashaskara(939-948AD) ascended the throne of Kashmir in 939 AD 
• during his reign a Math( hospice-refers to Dharamshala) was built for the students of India , who came to kashmir for studies.

Sangrama deva (948AD):- He was murdered by the minister Parvagupta 

GUPTA RULE(948- 1003 AD) :-

Founder:- Pravagupta(948-950 AD) 

Kshema Gupta(950-958 AD) - married the daughter of Lohara King, Princess Didda. 

Dida Queen Mother ( 958-980 AD)

Dida( 980-1003 AD)- She was real ruler of Gupta dynasty . She built many temples , monasteries in the state & provided an able administration. She was last ruler of Gupta dynasty 

PravaGupta> Kshema Gupta > Dida Queen Mother> Dida

LOHARA DYNASTY ( 1003- 1171 AD) :-

Founder :- Sangrama Raja- (s/o of Udairaj( brother of Dida) ) 

Sangrama raj > Avanta> kalasa> Harsha> Sussala> Jayasimha> parmanudeva> vantia Deva

Vantia deva was last ruler of Lohara Dynasty.

Kahlana completed his text book Rajatarangani (1148-1150AD) during reign of Jaisimha (1128-55) 

DEVA DYNASTY ( 1171-1339 AD) :-

It had 11 rulers 

Jassaka> Jagadeva> Rajadeva> Sangramadeva> Ramadeva> lakshmana deva> sangramachandra> Suhadeva> Richina> udyanandeva> Kota Rani 

During reign of Suhadeva(1301-20) , kashmir invaded by a Tratar chief (Mongol), DULUCHA , from central Asia.He fled away

Rinchin, the Ladakhi/Tibetan ruled Kashmir from 1320-23AD. 

He married Ramachandra daughter Kota Rani & had a son , Haider by Kota Rani 

Rinchin was first Muslim ruler of Kashmir & changed his name as "sultan Sadr-ud-din" .

After Rinchin death in 1323AD, Kota rani married Udyanan deva  , who ruled kashmir till 1338 AD. on second Husband's death, Shah Mir( lieutenant of Rinchin) offered marriage proposal to Kota rani, but she refused & herself ruled for next 5 months till 1339 AD.After  her death , shah Mir ascended to throne as King 

kota Rani was last king of Deva dynasty 

Shah Mir Dynasty ( 1339- 1555 AD) :-

It had about 18 rulers 

Founder:- Shah Mir titled as" sultan shama-ud-din'. In this period Islam established in kashmir.

Notable rulers:- Shihab-ud-din, zain-ud-Abidin 

sultan Habib shah was the last ruler 

Shihab-ud-din :- was one of the best after Lalitaditya( also K/a Lalitaditya of Medieval kashmir).Founded city Shibab-ud-din pora ( shadipora) 

Zain -ul-Abidin:- ( Badshah) he got two greatest monumemts , the Khanqah-e-Mualla & the Jama Masjid as well as Khanqah -e-Faiz Panah of Tral.  

Jonaraj & his disciple Srivara pandita wrote Dvitiya Rajatarangini & Jaina ot Trityia Rajatarangini respectively 

Royal Kitchen ( Jogi Lanker ) for Hindu Pilgrims at Rainwari,Srinagar was opened.

He built-Nowshaderi, zainapaur, Zainkut & zainagir. 

First wooden bridge constructed- Zainakadal

Chak Dynasty ( 1555-1586 AD) :-

It had 6 rulers 

Sultan Ghazi Chak(Founder)> Hussain shah> Yusuf shah> Sayyid Mubarak Shah> Lohar shah Chak> Yaqub Shah Chak(last ruler) 

Originally belonged to country of Dards i,e Dardistan (Gilgit Hunza region) but settled in kashmir in the time of Shah Mir. 

They successfully resist Babur & Humayan but failed to resist Akbar. Yaqub Shah Chak tried to resist the Mughal army but defeated by army , under Qasim khan at Haripura. This , the Mughals rule was established in kashmir.

Mughals ( 1587-1752 AD) :- 

10 rulers 

Akbar> jahangir> shahjanhan> Aurangzeb> Bahadur shah> Farrakh siyar> Mullah Abdul Nabi> Abdul samad khan> muhamad shah> Afrasiyub khan 

 Akbar :- 1590 Ad built Hari-parbat Fort in srinagar 

Built new town Nagar-magar

Jahangir :- Visited 13 times in kashmir

Built gardens:-Nishat bagh, Shalimar bagh on the bank of dal river 

Also Achabal & verinag Garden

Introduced Chinar into kashmir

Shah jahan:-

Built :- Chashme shahi garden , pari mahal 

Aurangzeb :- visited only once in kashmir

His reign was period of revolts, anarchy, disorder & islamization 

He appointed 11 governors in succession - first one was a kashmiri - Mir Inayatullah 

other mughals are incapable rulers and thus, lost huge empire & kashmir as well 

RULES ARE MEANT FOR VIOLATION BUT NEVER VIOLATE YOUR TIME FOR READING , OTHERWISE IT WILL VIOLATE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE 

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ANCIENT HISTORY OF J&K

CHAPTER-1

ANCIENT HISTORY OF J&K (300 BC - 855AD) 

The ancient history of J&K as collection of various important sources-like:- literary texts, archeological artifacts, historical monuments etc. The chronological order varies from text to text & book to book , but the most common timeline is from 300 BC, the historic era that witnesses the emergence of many empires & ancient period ends nearly in 855 AD.

1.1)Prominent sources of History of J&K are:-

Nilmata Purana( compiled c. 500.600 CE) by Nila the lord of Kahmir Nagas
Rajatarangini ( River of Kings) by Pt. Kalhana , all the 8000 sanskrit verses of which were compiled by 1150 CE. Later on, it was translated by Sultan Zain -ul-Abidin  into persian by Mulla Ahmed.
Hara Charitrachintamani :- by Jayadrath
Twarikh-i-kashmir:- by Malik Haider
Zafar Nama:- Shrif -ud-din-Yazdi
Vansanucharita sections of Puranas Ashtadhyayi by Panini
Tarikh-i-kishtwar:- by Sheoji Dhar

Travellers account:- 

Chinese traveller-

Huien Tsang( 631 AD) refer Kashmir as Kashi-Mi-Lo

Ou-Kong 

European traveller

Father Jerome visited Kashmir with Akbar

Francis Bernier visited with Aurangzeb

Sir Walter Lawrence:- valley of Kashmir

Alexander Cunningham:- Land of Lamas

1.2)Early  historic Account of J&K :-

J&K early  historic account is divided into three ages as followed :-

Pre-Historic Age
Neolithic Age
Megalithic Age

1.2A:-The Pre-Historic Age :- 

Dr Sunil Chandra ray, the valley has faced Quarternary glacial cycles as evident from lacusterine deposits of Karewas . It is divided into two groups:- 

The lower karewas is of Pleistocene age & 

The upper karewas of the Inter-glacial Age 

Numismatic evidence in the shape of ancient coins of gold, copper, silver , brass( copper+ zinc)  & Bronze (Copper + tin) etc furnish evidence of a chain of kings, as mentioned by Kalhana & other chronologists upto modern time.

1.2B:-The Neolithic age:-

In neolithic age, we have many evidences- from Neolithic sites like- Burzahom(srinagar) -seeds of wheat , barley & lentils have been found , mud plastered pit dwellings , coarse pottery & stone tools are prominent artifacts of Burzahom. 

copper metal  tools were invented. 

Neolithic Skull with hole dug into it confirmed that may be surgery was practiced, also found at Burzahom. 

Burzahom is the first & early archaeological site of country 

Needles , harpoons, hunting tools are some of important inventions of neolithic age.  

other  sites were Bagagund, Hariparigoan, pampur, Panzgom, Sombur, Gofkral, olchibag, waztal & Brah 

1.2C:-The Megalithic age:-

It was age with erected massive stones or menhirs whic were a symbol of natable events of the community. important discoveries- mudbrick structures, pottery( red ware) tools of metal , stones & bones. 

1.3:-Ancient empires of J&K :-

Although the early empires account of ancient history of J&K remain quite uncertain , yet we here make it sublime for your exam point of view:-

Prior to below kingdom or empires- earliest was Mahabharata period :- wherein Republican of state Kamjos ruler with capital Rajapura(Rajouri modern ).

After them it went went to Panchala - now term is dessicated to Pir Panjal .

 

1. Mauryan empire:- 2. Kushan dynasty3. Hepthlites Huns( white Huns) 4. Gonanda dynasty   5. Karakota dynasty 

• Mauryan Empire :-3rd century BC :-

Ashoka(304-232 BCE) > Jaluka> Damodra II 

Askoka founded city of Srinagari ( Pandrethan , old city of Srinagar) . Built stupas, viharas,  shiva temples, shrines etc. Ashoka appointed Buddhist missionary( Majjhantika & Urvasa)  to spread Buddhism in Kashmir

Jaluka ( son of Ashoka) defeated the Malecchas( foreign tribes)& restored peace in the valley. 

Damodra II( S/O Jaluka) an ardent believer of shiva ruled kashmir. 

-a gap of about 200 years for which Indo-Greek kings before the start of Kushans rule in kashmir. This gap is uncountable in history. 

• Kushans dynasty :-Ist Century AD - Turkish people

Kushans came after Mauryans & they have again three rulers:- ( Mentioned in Nilmata Purana ) 

Kanishka (127-151 CE) > Hushak > Jushik upto 178 A.D

Kanishka was prominent among Kushans - during the reign of Kanishka -4th Buddhist council was convened at Kunalvana(Harwan) in Kashmir, headed by Vasumitra. Ashvaghosa & Nagarjuna participated in the council. In this council- Buddhism divided into two sects- Hinayana & Mahayana

Kanishka established a town of Kansihkapura 

Hushak estabilshed a town of Hushkapura

Jushik established a town of Jushkapura 

• Hepthalites (white Huns) 5-6Th century -from central Asia 

Toramana> Mihirakula

Hepthalites under Toramana crossed over the Hind Kush mountains &  conquered large part of western India including Kashmir.

Mihirakula ( c. 502-530 CE) son of Toramana , conquered all North India including Kashmir. He was opposed & defeated by Baladitya in Magadha & Yasodharman in Malwa respectively. After the defeat , Mihirakula returned to kashmir where he led coup on the king. He then conquered Gandhara. He destroyed Buddhist shrines & committed atrocities. After his death, the influence of Huns faded away & came to  end.

• Gonanda dynasty :-( 530 AD - 627 AD ) 

There were many rulers of Gonanda dynastry-here we mention a few ones. Gonanda records are mentioned by Kalhana in the Rajatrangini. 

Gonanda-I was first king of kashmir 

Pravarasena II was a great ruler who extended the boundaries & founded Pravarasenapura( modern city of Srinagar)  

Meghavahana- another ruler who banned the hunting of birds & animals during his reign 

others - Ramaditya & Baladitya. Baladitya was last ruler of Gonanda & Ramaditya was second last ruler of Gonanda dynasty.

• Karakota dynasty or Naga Dynasty  :- (627 AD -854 AD) 

Durlaba vardhana was first ruler of Karakota or naga dynasty which ruled upto 854 AD .

 Durlabha  Vardhana (627-661 AD)> Pratap aditya > Chandrapide> Tarapida> Lalit aditya Muktapida( known as Samundragupta of Kashmir ) > Jayapida> Lalitapida> Sangramapida( ends in 854AD ) 

Chinese pilgrim , Huein Tsang visited kashmir( during reign of Durlaba vardhana)  & stayed for 2 years & studied sanskirit & hindu scriptures from learned scholars. 

Lalit aditya muktapida ( samundragupta of kashmir ) - he conquered many areas- Punjab, Kannauj,Tibet, ladakh, Iran, Bihar, Kalinga, Gujarat, Malwa, sindh etc. He was the greatest Karakota ruler

He Built:- Parihaspur( city of pleasure) as his Capital near shrine of Kheer -Bhawani. He built World famous Temple -Martand temple(Sun temple) built on Mattan Karewa. After his demise the kingdom declined due to weak ruler & finally collapsed in 854 AD.

1.4):-KASHMIRI SHAIVISM :-

It was well flourished at the end of ancient history dated in 800 CE. It is basically a religious tradition that believes in ritual practices, asans, yoga & meditation etc. It was conceptualized as unity of soul with lord Shiva- the omnipotent & omnipresent lord. 

in beginning it was marked by the "Shivasutra" ( a collection of 77 aphorism attributed to Kashmiri sage Vasugupta). Kashmiri shaivism started by Vasugupta. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself passed the knowledge of Shaivism to Vasugupta who lived in Mahadeva Mts. in valley of the Harwan stream. Shaivism has three philopshies- Trika Shaivism , Spanda Shaivism & Pratyabigna Shaivism 

Value the time

Sources of Shaivism :-

It was Vasugupta who passed knowledge to his disciples  &  who in turn  passed on to next 

Spanda-Karika or Spanda-Sarvasya- by Kallate

Pratyabigna-Sutra- by Utpaladeva

Sivasutra-Vimarsini & spanda sandola- by Kshmemaraja

Paramartha-Sara,  Tantraloka & Pratyabigna-Viranarsini- by Abhinavagupta

Sivadrishti - by Somananda 

     

  

 

 

Culture:- Fairs & festivals of Jammu Division

CULTURE Of JAMMU_DIVISION:-

Jammu- City Of Temples
Area:- 26,293 sq. Km( Largest- Kishtwar  & Smallest - Samba)
Population :- 5,350,811 (Muslims= 65%, Hindu=31%, sikh=3% Buddhist & others =1%)

Jammu is known as city of temple , having multiple fairs & festivals. The diversity of culture in Jammu region is based on its geographical & regional demography. The culture of Chenab valley is different from Jammu region. But people mingle in such diverse fairs & festivals & travel from one district to another for fairs & festivals. Here , are few famous ones:- 

1. LOHRI( 13 Jan- One day before Makar sankranti)

This festival is also known as Makar Sankarnti. The whole of Jammu region wears a festive look on this day. Thousands take a dip in the holy rivers. ‘Havan Yagnas’ light up nearly every house and temple in Jammu. In the rural areas, Custom requires boys to go around asking for gifts from newly-weds and new parents.A special dance called the ‘Chajja’ dance is held on the occasion of Lohri. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the pulsating drum beats.

2. Puramandal Mela :- (Phalgun month-February -on the occasion of Maha shivratri):-On Shivratri, the town is transformed for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati here. The people of Jammu also come out in their colorful best to celebrate Shivaratri at peer khoh, the Rainbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.

3. Bahu Mela :- ( March-April  & Sept-oct) A Major festival is held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort(Jammu) twice a year. Bahu temple , is 3000 years old , built by Raja Bahulochan. The image of Mahakali deity in the temple in the fort was brought from Ayodhya

4.Tihar (March-april) :- It is famous festival celebrated in  Bhaderwah & Kishtwar in the months of chaitra. , dedicated to serents gods. Don't link with Nepalese as they also celebrate Tihar during Diwali & Bhai-duj. 

5.Baisakhi:- ( April) Also known as Harvest festival. It is widely celebrated in all over jammu. 

on this day, 10th sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Ji formed Khalsa sect in 1699. Bhangra Dance is generally performed as part of celebrations. It is festival of both Hindus & Sikh.

6.Machail yatra:- July-Sept , since 1987 at Gulabgarh, Kishtwar ;-

An annual yatra for taking blessings of Goddess Chandi , located at Machail nearly 35 km form vehicle road Gulabgarh in Kishtwar, yatra start from Bhaderwah & is of three days.  

7.Kailash kund yatra:- (August) ( From Gatha to Kailash Kund at height of 14,241 ft. from sea level. An annual yatra that start from Gatha to kailash Kund.

Kailash kund is associated with lord shiva & this is lake or kund , where devotees dip themselves for well being.River Tawi , originated from kailash Kund.
8.Mela Patt( at Khakhal Mohalla- Vasuki Dera, Bhaderwah) since medival India(16th Century) :- Mela Patt is a famous festival of Bhaderwah.It is three days festival celebrated in Khakhal Mohalla of Bhaderwah , just after kailash Kund yatra. During these days people, irrespective of caste, creed participate in it in large numbers. “Mela Patt” having medieval origin occupies position among the fairs of Doda District. This is the daytime fair celebrated at “Khakhal”, a centrally located place in the township of Bhaderwah . The celebration is unique and historically traditional festival starts on the fifth day immediately after “Kailash Yatra” that is on the day of “Vinayak Chuturthi” or “Patharchoth”.Initiation of Mela Patt dates back to the sixteenth century when Akbar the great, was much impressed by the miraculous spritiual power of Raja Nagpal, the ruler of Bhaderwah Principality, at the Mughal Court, attributed to the blessings of the serpent God Nag Raj Vasuki .

Much wealth was awarded to Raja Nagpal as a token of respect to the serpent god from imperial treasure by Emperor Akbar. The wealth comprised metallic vessels gold and silver ornaments, silk fabrics and musical instruments etc.On the evening of “Patharchoth” or “Vinayak Choth” the “Jahari” (the conical metallic pot) is carried by a representative belonging to Raj-purohit family in Bhaderwah. The calmness of the dark starry night is broken with slogans, “Jai Bolo Nagae Basik Ki Jai, Phir Bolo Sanchae Durbar ki Jai,” The procession passes through the Main Bazars of the town. It concludes at the Vasuki Dhera Temple . Next morning after routine worship in the Temple , the Jahari moves to the house of Rajgurus' in Mohalla Khakhal. The team of selected person of the locality called “Dashan” prepare the traditional “Patt Jhanki.” The patt, a heavy load of conical shape with Jahari on the top decently decorated with marigold flowers garlands and ‘Haraii' adorned with hundreds of cloth – pieces of gorgeous colours is now ready for exhibition.

9.JHIRI MELA (OCT-NOV):-  Baba Jitu was a simple, God loving and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than submit to the unjust demands of the local landlord to part with his corp. He killed himself in the village of Jhiri,14 kms. from Jammu.

A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every him for his compassion, courage and honesty and hold an annual fair in his name.

it symbolises courage, honesty & compassion & rejuvenates the mood of the people & offers them some amount of rest & relaxation from the humdrum of daily lives 

If you know anything , plz suggest in comment box 

Battle of Rezeng La ( 18 November 1962)

#Battle_of_Rezeng_La

18 Nov1962==================

**My request to GOI to introduce this topic in History**

A topic of valour and sacrifice made by Charlie company 13 Kumaon unit. 

It was not just India lost the war of 1962 , but India created history across the world. 

On 18 Nov 1962- on snow clad mountains of Chushul-in Ladakh, took place a battle that is still considered to be one of the greatest last stands in history of armed forces across the World. 

The Charlie company of 120 jawan of 13 Kumaon led by Major Shaitan Singh was protecting Chushul airfield which was vital if India had to hold on to Ladakh. 

From Chinese side, they gathered with 5000-6000 jawans & heavy artillery. The war stated at 3:30 early in the morning and ended within five hours. India fight till last second, last breathe & last round. Out of 120 only 6 survived & rest 114 got martyred-in the battle of Rezeng La. All six were taken by china as POW but they miraculously escaped & 4 of them alive now. 

It was Honorary capitan Ramchander Yadav who narrated the valour of his colleagues & 5 hours of battlefield without any weapon . He also narrated the story of Naik Ram who was wrestler - a single handed army who fought with  Chinese till ended with bullet on head. 

Their supreme sacrifice is one of the greatest acts of heroism , when death & defeat were inevitable. Major Shaitan Singh was awarded with #PVC & company won 8 #VC's & 4 #senaMedals , the highest number of honour for any company. 

Also truth was that India army was not provided with winter clothing (jackets or overcoat) over half-sleeved shirt , even while visiting at 22000 ft. The supreme sacrifice was historical in its importance but India is ready to read Mughals, Delhi sultanate & others. 

Reaction of Bollywood:- film Haqeeqat , but with factual errors 

Reaction of Nehru:- Chushul is useless land where no gross grows...like statement in 1964.

SWADESHI MOVEMENT -1905

• Swadeshi Movement had its origin in the anti-partition movement of Bengal. 

  

  ias/kas/ifs :- Blogger -Ajit Singh 

• The initial objective was the annulment of Partition of Bengal. However, it was soon superseded by the greater objective of attainment of sawaraj.

• Tilak called this movement "Bahishkar Yoga" 

• Surendranath Bannerjee said it it a 'protectionist movement' 

• An important aspect of Swadeshi movement was training in self-determination , self-help & self-reliance(Atmashakti )  

• Lal,Bal,Pal & A.Ghosh played the most vital role . British Journalist H.W. Nevinson was also associated 

• INC took the Swadeshi first call at Banaras session , 1905 presided over by G.K.Gokhale.

•  Aug. 7, 1905 a resolution to boycott British goods was adopted at the meeting of INC at Calcutta.  

• Bonfires of foreign goods were conducted at various places.
• INC session 1906, presided over by D.B.Naoroaji declared the aim of congress to be sawaraj like that in UK & other colonies. 
• The 4 compromise resolution passed at this session were:-

1.Swadeshi 

2. Boycott

3. National Education

 4. Self-Government 

Overall, the period of 1903-1908 , the partition of Bengal served as a catalyst for the Swadeshi Movement. 

REACTION OF BRITISH GOVERNMENT:-

1. CARLYLE CIRCULAR:- on 22nd oct 1905 Carlyle issued an infamous circular to withdraw grants, scholarships & affiliations of the institutions to which they belonged if they are associated with swadeshi Movement . [ Carlyle was the chief secretary of the Government of Bengal) 

2. Forces were used to disperse the growing protest .

Partition of Bengal -16 Oct. 1905 - 1911

Partition of Bengal :-

1. The idea of partition was first given by William ward(Chief Commissioner of Assam ) in 1896
2.  The real attack came in 1899 when Lord Curzon reduced the number of elected members in the Calcutta corporation primarily to satisfy the European business interest 
3. Lord Curzon was the brain behind this partition but the actual partition took place, Lord Minto II had replaced Lord Curzon as the Viceroy.
4. On 16th Oct. 1905 -Bengal bifurcated into East & west Bengal .

East Bengal, Assam :- Muslim Dominated 

Area= 275938 Sq.km 

Population= 31 Million

Muslims= 18 Million(58.66%)

Hindus= 13 Million 

Districts= 15 **

WEST BENGAL -Hindu Dominated 

Area= 366692 sq. km

Population= 54 Million

Muslims= 9 Million (16.6%)

Hindus= 45 Million 

Districts =11

Reasons of Partition :-

British View

• Bengal was a very big province 
• very difficult to manage the administrative work 

Nationalist View :-

• Divide & rule policy 
• Religious & linguistic demarcation 
• If ease of administration was only reason then why wasn't Punjab, Bombay or Madras partitioned 

Effect of partition :-

1. Created a divide within Hindi, Oriya & Bengali speaking population.

2. Changed the fusion  to fission culture 

3. Created divide amongst residents in terms of Hindu & Muslim religion & region

4. way forward to Swadeshi Movement - as a result of partition 

NOTE:- In 1911, when the capital shift from Calcutta to Delhi , the two created fission cultured region are again united. 

After annulment of partition the west & east Bengal were integrated & three separate states created 

-Bengal (Comprising of East & west Bengal) -East Bengal is now Bangladesh -finally separated in 1971.

-Assam( Of same status it had in 1874) 

-Bihar & Orissa (finally separated in 1935)

Newspaper associated with Partition of Bengal:-

The newspapers played vital role in the movement. The main newspapers were:-

SANJEEVANI(K.K.Mitra)

Bengali (SN Banarjee)

Amrit Bazar Patrika (Motilal Ghosh)

Yugantar (B.B.Upadhaya)

New India (B.c.pal)

Bande Matram(A.Ghosh)

Bharat Mata (Ajit singh) 

Others focus point:-

1.R.N.Tagore  :- Patriotic  song" Amar Sonar Bangla " was sung by people.Later on it was adopted by Bangladesh in 1971

2.Raksha Bandhan:- Hindus & muslims tied Rakhis on each other's wrist showing solidarity on 16 Oct. 1905

3. Vande Mataram became a war cry.

By AJIT SINGH CHARAK .

Roaring Success @ Asiatic lions at Gir

Asiatic lion 
Zoological name :- Panthera leo Persica 
Total Count at Gir (2020) = 674
Total Area of distribution(2020)= 30,000 Sq. Km
Gir national park & Wildlife sanctuary = Gujarat (* Only habitat for Asiatic Lions) 
IUNC RED list :- Asiatic lion as Endangered species  

what is news?
The number of Asiatic lions at Gir up by 29%, earlier in 2015 the number was -523 & now in 2020 -recent survey the number is increased to 674. As per records also the distribution area at Gir up with 36%( 2015-20K sq. km  & now in 2020-30K sq. km) . The conditions are favorable for this increase as per increment is announced recently. 
 What is" POONAM AVLOKAN" ? 
it is a unique method used by Gujarat to estimate its lions population 
it is about estimated count & census of lions through observation exercise -based on monthly updation after every full moon. It was started in 2014 .
it includes two methods :- (I) Block counting method - in which census enumerators remain stationed at water points in a given block 7 estimate abundance of lions in that block , based on the direct  sighting of lions who need water at least once in 24 hours during the summer.
other is keeping the teams ready & based on inputs provided by lion trackers 7 on chnace sightings 
BASICS OF LION CENSUS  IN INDIA 
the first lion census was conducted by the nawab of Junagadh in 1936; since 1965, the forest department has been regularly conducting the lion census every 5 years 
the 6th, 8th & 11th census were each delayed by a year, for various reasons.
This year it was postponed after lockdown was announced , but takes place by POONAM AVLOKAN 

IMAGE COPIED FROM GOOGLE

THREATS 

The Asiatic lion currently exists as a single subpopulation, and is thus vulnerable to extinction from unpredictable events, such as an epidemic or large forest fire. There are indications of poaching incidents in recent years. There are reports that organized gangs have switched attention from tigers to these lions. There have also been a number of drowning incidents after lions fell into wells.

Nearly 25 lions in the vicinity of Gir Forest were found dead in October 2018. Four of them had died because of canine distemper virus(CDV) , the same virus that had killed several Serengeti lions earlier.

Prior to the resettlement of Maldharis, the Gir forest was heavily degraded and used by livestock, which competed with and restricted the population sizes of native ungulates. Various studies reveal tremendous habitat recovery and increases in wild ungulate populations following the Maldhari resettlement during the last four decades