What does the voyage of Vasco da Gama have to do with tobacco? On July 8, 1497, began the historic voyage of Vasco da Gama.
Tobacco, originally cultivated by Native Americans, was brought to Europe in the 16th Century and, soon after, introduced to South Asia by European traders and colonisers. The Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and the British, were instrumental in spreading tobacco use. Tobacco quickly embedded itself into the cultural and social fabric of South Asian societies. Yet, it is essential to remember that smoking was alien to Indian ethos and culture. Despite the linguistic diversity in India, with as many as five linguistic families (thousands of languages), none of the Indian languages have a native or original word for “tobacco”.
Surprisingly, there has not been a robust enough critique of the British Raj for tobacco. Indeed, it isn’t the Kohinoor that should symbolise European exploitation. The introduction of tobacco in India has left a lasting legacy of addiction and disease.
Tobacco, originally cultivated by Native Americans, was brought to Europe in the 16th Century and, soon after, introduced to South Asia by European traders and colonisers. The Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and the British, were instrumental in spreading tobacco use. Tobacco quickly embedded itself into the cultural and social fabric of South Asian societies. Yet, it is essential to remember that smoking was alien to Indian ethos and culture. Despite the linguistic diversity in India, with as many as five linguistic families (thousands of languages), none of the Indian languages have a native or original word for “tobacco”.
Surprisingly, there has not been a robust enough critique of the British Raj for tobacco. Indeed, it isn’t the Kohinoor that should symbolise European exploitation. The introduction of tobacco in India has left a lasting legacy of addiction and disease.
Hello Students,
We are publishing our entire History Optional Foundation course open for all.
Nikhil sir and Vishal are the two faculties for History Optional at LevelUp IAS. Their lectures of the entire foundation course, about 180+, are being made public on Youtube. We have started a separate dedicated channel on YT only for this purpose.
Every day, one video lecture is being published. This way, over next 6 months, entire history optional will be covered in detail, chapter-by-chapter. Presently, we have already started with World History and 20 lectures are already there.
Apart from lectures, we also bring question-answer discussion every day. Every day, one UPSC answer is discussed in a separate video. Additionally, there many other series like Behind The Question (BTQ) Explained series where we try to decode the mind of UPSC examiner in a very analytical and insightful manner. Thus, for history optional, this is a one-stop solution.
Subscribe to the channel to remain updated.
https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptionalforUPSC
We are publishing our entire History Optional Foundation course open for all.
Nikhil sir and Vishal are the two faculties for History Optional at LevelUp IAS. Their lectures of the entire foundation course, about 180+, are being made public on Youtube. We have started a separate dedicated channel on YT only for this purpose.
Every day, one video lecture is being published. This way, over next 6 months, entire history optional will be covered in detail, chapter-by-chapter. Presently, we have already started with World History and 20 lectures are already there.
Apart from lectures, we also bring question-answer discussion every day. Every day, one UPSC answer is discussed in a separate video. Additionally, there many other series like Behind The Question (BTQ) Explained series where we try to decode the mind of UPSC examiner in a very analytical and insightful manner. Thus, for history optional, this is a one-stop solution.
Subscribe to the channel to remain updated.
https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptionalforUPSC
YouTube
History Optional for UPSC
Hey everyone! I’m Nikhil Sheth, and welcome to History for UPSC!
I have a deep passion for history and love reading and sharing stories from the past. I’ve read hundreds of books and created original study materials just for you. Here’s what you’ll find on…
I have a deep passion for history and love reading and sharing stories from the past. I’ve read hundreds of books and created original study materials just for you. Here’s what you’ll find on…
With reference to recent pomp and slpandour of the Ambani wedding, listen to this poem in Hindi.
It may not gel well with your generation, which is raised in the intellectual atmosphere of liberal capitalism as the only value system. Still, try to be little empathetic and understand the other view.
It always enriches us, if we can understand plural perspectives. After all, we do read Anekantavad in Jainism in our syllabus.
https://youtu.be/8uYOaT8f4rA?si=AjvTL0g1vUsEGHUg
It may not gel well with your generation, which is raised in the intellectual atmosphere of liberal capitalism as the only value system. Still, try to be little empathetic and understand the other view.
It always enriches us, if we can understand plural perspectives. After all, we do read Anekantavad in Jainism in our syllabus.
https://youtu.be/8uYOaT8f4rA?si=AjvTL0g1vUsEGHUg
YouTube
निर्लज्जमेव जयते : हूबनाथ
A feast for the elephants, Aanayoottu in Malayalam, is a ritual meant to propitiate Lord Ganesha. Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur district of Kerala holds a mega Aanayoottu, drawing a huge crowd of elephants and elephant lovers. As many as 60 elephants from across the State participated in this year’s feast.
The jumbo feast at the temple started in 1982. The first time was for the elephants who participated in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in New Delhi that year, to help them regain their health after the long journey to the national capital and back and the parade duties. The long journey made many of them sick and weak. The temple fed them nutritious food to nurse them back to health, a practice that has now become a tradition.
Who said all traditions are old? We create new traditions always. The culture is always alive and lively.
The jumbo feast at the temple started in 1982. The first time was for the elephants who participated in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in New Delhi that year, to help them regain their health after the long journey to the national capital and back and the parade duties. The long journey made many of them sick and weak. The temple fed them nutritious food to nurse them back to health, a practice that has now become a tradition.
Who said all traditions are old? We create new traditions always. The culture is always alive and lively.
Forwarded from Level Up IAS (Official Channel)
🔴Students, this is the class schedule for Week 4 of FREE History Optional Foundation Lectures for UPSC CSE 2025
Here is the Youtube channel where lectures will get uploaded daily, at 9 am, without fail: https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptionalforUPSC?sub_confirmation=1
Do subscribe.
Join History Optional Telegram: https://www.tg-me.com/nikhilhistoryoptional
Here is the Youtube channel where lectures will get uploaded daily, at 9 am, without fail: https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptionalforUPSC?sub_confirmation=1
Do subscribe.
Join History Optional Telegram: https://www.tg-me.com/nikhilhistoryoptional
Forwarded from Level Up IAS (Official Channel)
✅ Fill up the form: https://bit.ly/History_LevelUp and Register FREE
🏆History Optional Sunday LIVE Orientation session
28th July | 11 am | FREE-Open to all | Online-Offline
🔴Session highlights:
1. Orientation for History Optional Sunday LIVE program
2. Demo and walkthrough of History Optional mentorship process
3. Approach for 300+ in History Optional
4. Detailed strategy for World History
Register FREE | Limited seats
🏆History Optional Sunday LIVE Orientation session
28th July | 11 am | FREE-Open to all | Online-Offline
🔴Session highlights:
1. Orientation for History Optional Sunday LIVE program
2. Demo and walkthrough of History Optional mentorship process
3. Approach for 300+ in History Optional
4. Detailed strategy for World History
Register FREE | Limited seats
Hall means Mandap. This can be any hall, and not only in temple.
In temple architecture section, we study mandap, ardha-mandap, nat-mandap, shiksha-mandap etc. Now, in Rashtrapati Bhawan also, they have renamed hall as mandap.
Can we use the word mandap in such generic way in daily life? Our domestic architecture, houses, also have halls. What if we start calling them mandap?
1) When my father comes home in the evening, he sits in mandap.
2) We are all gathering in mandap to watch the TV series late night.
3) The guests are sitting in mandap and having tea.
In temple architecture section, we study mandap, ardha-mandap, nat-mandap, shiksha-mandap etc. Now, in Rashtrapati Bhawan also, they have renamed hall as mandap.
Can we use the word mandap in such generic way in daily life? Our domestic architecture, houses, also have halls. What if we start calling them mandap?
1) When my father comes home in the evening, he sits in mandap.
2) We are all gathering in mandap to watch the TV series late night.
3) The guests are sitting in mandap and having tea.
Forwarded from History Optional (UPSC)
YouTube
🏆Attend FREE Sunday LIVE History Optional (28th July) | Orientation for UPSC CSE 2025 @LevelUpIAS
✅ Fill up the form: https://bit.ly/History_LevelUp and Register FREE for 🏆History Optional Sunday LIVE Orientation session
28th July | 11 am | FREE-Open to all | Online-Offline
Attend FREE Sunday LIVE History Optional (28th July) | Orientation for UPSC…
28th July | 11 am | FREE-Open to all | Online-Offline
Attend FREE Sunday LIVE History Optional (28th July) | Orientation for UPSC…
Forwarded from History Optional (UPSC)
YouTube
World History Lecture 26: World War 1 🔴 History Optional Foundation 2025 @LevelUpIAS
This is lecture 26 of History Optional Foundation Program 2025- World War 1. Detailed view of lecture given below. All lectures will be free on our Youtube channel. Separate registration is required for Sunday Live that will include Notes, Mentorship, Answer…
Forwarded from Level Up IAS (Official Channel)
Important message from LevelUp IAS !
Due to the tragic incident that occurred late last night, a profound sense of sorrow has enveloped the entire Old Rajnedra Nagar community. The gravity of this event has deeply affected us all, and we mourn alongside those impacted by this unfortunate occurrence. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone who is grieving during this difficult time.
As a mark of respect, the institute will remain closed (both online and offline) for one day on 28th July. Classes will resume on 29th July. The revised schedule for today's lectures and tests will be announced shortly.
We advise all students to remain at home and stay safe.
Team LevelUp IAS
Due to the tragic incident that occurred late last night, a profound sense of sorrow has enveloped the entire Old Rajnedra Nagar community. The gravity of this event has deeply affected us all, and we mourn alongside those impacted by this unfortunate occurrence. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone who is grieving during this difficult time.
As a mark of respect, the institute will remain closed (both online and offline) for one day on 28th July. Classes will resume on 29th July. The revised schedule for today's lectures and tests will be announced shortly.
We advise all students to remain at home and stay safe.
Team LevelUp IAS