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Sunday, January 11, 2026
TopicThinking Medieval

Topic: Thinking Medieval

Raising taxes was Palas’ biggest mistake—it killed 2 kings, ended their 300-yr-rule in Bengal

The Kaivartas survive today as a faint reminder: the medieval world was not a utopia, nor was it one of complete and benevolent royal domination.

Shaivite rivals were not Vaishnavites, but tantric Buddhists in medieval era

The Pallava dynasty was turning toward Shaivism. Buddhists took immediate note and strung up a narrative where Shiva is immature and Trailokyavijaya emerges supreme.

How exactly did Ganesha arrive in Indonesia & Cambodia? Quite abruptly

In Tibet and China, he would take on altogether darker tantric forms, whereas in Japan, he evolved into a unique ‘twin’ form with a male and female aspect.

Kamakhya Temple is one way Assam shaped Sanskritic mainstream in medieval India

The history of the Kamakhya Temple encapsulates the history of Northeast India — and challenges the way we imagine the spread of Hinduism.

Mahabharata war to Dasaratha sacrifices—Tripura’s Manikya dynasty used religion as a force

In Tripura, the Sanskritic culture served as a veneer over a vibrant, cosmopolitan Northeastern world that we are often too quick to dismiss today as 'tribal' or 'violent'.

Medieval Indian engineers in the 7th century built robots. Powered by water and clockwork

Using hydraulics and clockwork, engineers could make wondrous devices that are now lost. These were more credible than claims about pre-modern Indian technology such as UFOs and genetic engineering.

This is how Shiva became Asia’s most popular god – innovation, assimilation, conquest

In a diverse religious environment, the Shaiva recipe for success was rather crafty.

The Great monastery of Ratnagiri – this is how Buddhism thrived in medieval Odisha

Female musicians played as the Buddha was offered ‘flowers, fruits, medicinal plants, and all other treasures’ at the Ratnagiri monastery.

South Asia’s greatest stupa isn’t in India but Bangladesh. This is its story

The decline and fall of Indian Buddhism was as complex a process as its rise. But all that remains of this dramatic history are silent ruins of brick.

How medieval Kashmir became centre of the world — Vaishnavism, Puranas, and war

The Pancharatrins and the Karkotas of Kashmir seized the subcontinent’s centre stage, religion supporting the State, State supporting religion.

On Camera

Satyajit Ray to Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound — how Martin Scorsese plays patron saint at Oscars

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, has been shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards.

Grounded no more: Andhra govt revives no-frills Dagadarthi airport near Nellore to boost south coast link

As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.

Oreshnik, ATACMS & Storm Shadow: All about the missiles Russia and Ukraine are firing

Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries are leaning on drones, but they’re also firing cruise and ballistic missiles, some of them relatively new and experimental.

Thank you Trump, again. India now has reason to shed fear of free trade and spur reform

UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.