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India is a treasure trove of architectural marvels, and among the most iconic are the <keyword id="2327756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mughal-monuments" source="Orion">Mughal monuments</keyword> that dot the landscape. The Mughal Empire, which spanned from the early 16th to the mid-19th century, left an indelible mark on the country's history and culture. The Mughal rulers were not only great administrators but also patrons of art and architecture. Here are 7 <keyword id="19815261" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Famous-Mughal-monuments" source="Orion">famous Mughal monuments</keyword> that stand as a testament to the grandeur and splendor of the Mughal era. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Taj Mahal, Agra" comment="subhead" text="Taj Mahal, Agra"><keyword id="6355354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taj-Mahal" source="Orion">Taj Mahal</keyword>, Agra</cmsannotation> The epitome of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is perhaps India's most famous monument. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of eternal love. Its intricate white marble facade, stunning gardens, and precise symmetry make it a must-visit destination. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Humayun's Tomb, Delhi" comment="subhead" text="Humayun's Tomb, Delhi">Humayun's Tomb, Delhi</cmsannotation> Commissioned by Humayun's widow, Empress Bega Begum, Humayun's Tomb is a splendid example of Persian-inspired Mughal architecture. Surrounded by lush gardens, the tomb's red sandstone structure with white marble embellishments is a precursor to the Taj Mahal and holds the tomb of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Red Fort, Delhi" comment="subhead" text="Red Fort, Delhi"><keyword id="6380456" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Red-fort" source="Orion">Red Fort</keyword>, Delhi</cmsannotation> Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan, the Red Fort in Delhi served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. Its red sandstone walls and intricate architecture, including the iconic Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas, showcase the grandeur of Mughal power and governance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Agra Fort, Agra" comment="subhead" text="Agra Fort, Agra">Agra Fort, Agra</cmsannotation> A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Agra Fort is a formidable structure built by Emperor Akbar and later expanded by his successors. The fort's imposing walls house exquisite palaces, including the Jahangir Mahal and the Khas Mahal, providing a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Mughal rulers. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh">Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh</cmsannotation> Founded by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for a brief period. The city is known for its stunning architecture, including the Buland Darwaza, the Jama Masjid, and the Panch Mahal, showcasing a blend of Persian and Indian design elements. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Jama Masjid, Delhi" comment="subhead" text="Jama Masjid, Delhi">Jama Masjid, Delhi</cmsannotation> Constructed by Shah Jahan, the Jama Masjid in Delhi is one of the largest mosques in India. Its red sandstone and white marble facade, adorned with intricate carvings and calligraphy, make it a significant religious and architectural landmark. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra" comment="subhead" text="Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra">Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra</cmsannotation> Situated in Sikandra, near Agra, Akbar's Tomb is the final resting place of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The tomb's unique architectural style, blending Hindu, Christian, Islamic, and Persian influences, reflects Akbar's inclusive approach to governance and religion. The Mughal monuments scattered across India stand as living testimonials to the grandeur, sophistication, and cultural amalgamation of the Mughal Empire. These architectural marvels not only serve as tourist attractions but also as reminders of a bygone era when art, culture, and architecture flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors. Visiting these monuments is not just a journey through history but an exploration of the rich tapestry of India's cultural heritage.

7 Famous Mughal monuments in India you must visit once

<ul><li><keyword id="48505" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ncert" source="Orion">NCERT</keyword>) Director <keyword id="13105606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dinesh-Prasad-Saklani" source="Orion">Dinesh Prasad Saklani</keyword> on Tuesday clarified that chapters on <keyword id="133453" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mughals" source="Orion">Mughals</keyword> had not been 'dropped' from CBSE books, and said that its a "lie".</li><li>He said that even today students are studying the history of the Mughals in NCERT's class 7th book.</li></ul>NEW DELHI: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani on Tuesday clarified that chapters on Mughals had not been 'dropped' from CBSE books, and said that its a "lie". "It's a lie. (Chapters on) Mughals have not been dropped. There was a rationalisation process last year because due to Covid, there was pressure on students everywhere," the <keyword id="116349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ncert-director" source="Orion">NCERT director</keyword> told ANI. The NCERT chief further said that expert committees examined the books from standards 6-12. "They recommended that if this chapter is dropped, it won't affect the knowledge of the children and an unnecessary burden can be removed...The debate is unnecessary. Those who don't know can check the textbooks...," Saklani said. He said that even today students are studying the history of the Mughals in NCERT's class 7th book. "Along with this, the history of Mughals is being taught in Empires in section-2 of the 11th class book. And in the class 12th book there were 2 chapters on the history of the Mughals, out of which theme nine was removed last year, while theme eight is still being taught to the students. This year no chapter has been removed from any book," Saklani further said. "We are working as per NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. This is a transition phase. NEP 2020 speaks of reducing the content load. We are implementing it. NCF (National Curriculum Framework) for school education is being formed, it will be finalised soon. Textbooks will be printed in 2024 as per NEP. We have not dropped anything right now," the NCERT chief said while stressing the National Education Policy. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Minister Gulab Devi also denied the reports claiming of removing the chapter of the Mughal Sultanate from CBSE and UP Board. "There is no change of any kind in our syllabus. Those who are running this type of misleading news, I request them not to run such news," Gulab Devi said. If there will be any further changes under the new education policy, then it cannot be said. At present, there is no change. The curriculum which was in 2022 will remain the same this time in 2023-24, she said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/cert-in-warns-of-high-severity-vulnerabilities-in-apple-products-urges-immediate-action/articleshow/99231900.cms">CERT-In warns of high-severity vulnerabilities in Apple products, urges immediate action</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/googles-new-features-to-simplify-travel-planning-including-a-mobile-friendly-hotel-browsing-feature-a-price-guarantee-badge-for-flights-and-more/articleshow/99235884.cms">Google’s new features to simplify travel planning, including a mobile-friendly hotel browsing feature, a price guarantee badge for flights, and more</a>

Chapters on Mughals have not been dropped, NCERT chief clarifies

Pushed onto the royal <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mughal">Mughal</a> throne at the tender age of 14, Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar, more commonly known as ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Akbar+the+Great">Akbar the Great</a>’ soon claimed imperial power and stretched the realms of the mighty <keyword id="478194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mughal-empire">Mughal empire</keyword> across <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=South-east+Asia">South-east Asia</a>. 
 
Quite unlike most past and future invaders of India, Akbar valued the religious and cultural differences of India and his spiritual <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=leadership">leadership</a> brought peace and stability. The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mughal+Empire">Mughal Empire</a> tripled in size and wealth under him. 
 
Business Insider India travels to the height of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mughal+Empire">Mughal Empire</a> to crack the reasons behind the popularity of the most acclaimed emperor in Mughal history. 
 
Image credit: itimes

Leadership
Lessons from Akbar the Great

Never make archaic faults ever again! 
The idea of the advent of ‘modernism’ in India is typically associated with the advent of the West. While it’s rightly deemed as the age of Democracy, rule of Law, Science and Reason, if we refer to the colonial period as the ‘modern age’, we draw a decisive conclusion to the argument whether a lot of what happened before the first Brit landed in Indian shores is actually relevant. 
 
A sizeable part of India’s history is occupied by the Mughals. It began in 1526 with Babur and practically ended with Auranzgeb’s death in 1707. While this death marked the end of an era, the Mughal Empire lasted another fifty years before actually ebbing. 
 
Business Insider revisits history books to probe what modern enterprises can learn from the Mughals. 
 
 
Image credit: Taimur

Decline of the Mughal
rule – Lessons modern businesses can learn

Actor <keyword id="19895145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vicky-Kaushal" source="keywords">Vicky Kaushal</keyword> on Tuesday said the filmmakers from the West feel the need to make films like "<keyword id="19936874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Avengers" source="keywords">Avengers</keyword>" because they don't have "real superheroes" like <keyword id="19966480" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Maharaj" source="keywords">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</keyword> and Chhatrapati <keyword id="22860084" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sambhaji" source="keywords">Sambhaji</keyword> Maharaj. The actor stars as <keyword id="21176738" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maratha-warrior" source="keywords">Maratha warrior</keyword> Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in his upcoming film "<keyword id="20868006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhaava" source="keywords">Chhaava</keyword>", directed by Laxman Utekar. The period drama will release on December 6. Vicky was speaking at a special event held at Chitra Cinemas where he and Utekar showed the teaser of the movie, produced by Maddock Films, to a group of fans. The National Award winner said it is an honour for him to play the role of the Maratha warrior, who was the son of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for an actor. The whole team has worked very hard on this film. I always say the West feels the need to make films like 'Avengers' because they don't have those kinds of superheroes that we have. We have real superheroes. "If we look into the history of India, we will find so many superheroes like Sambhaji, Chhatrapati Shivaji that all other superheroes will fail in front of them. It's important to tell such stories and celebrate with people. We are proud of them. It's because of their valour and sacrifice that we are able to live in this beautiful country," Vicky said. The makers officially released the first glimpse into the world of "Chhaava" on social media on Monday, days after its teaser premiered in cinema halls alongside the shows of Maddock Films' latest offering "Stree 2". The film also stars <keyword id="19917047" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rashmika-Mandanna" source="keywords">Rashmika Mandanna</keyword> as Chatrapati Maharani Yesubai, the wife of Sambhaji, and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. <keyword id="20397702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="A-R-Rahman" source="keywords">A R Rahman</keyword> has composed the music for Chhaava, written by Rishi Virmani.

West makes Avengers as they don't have superheroes like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji: Vicky Kaushal

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia. <h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market. Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation. <h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the charkha and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024. The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms. Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers. <h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from ‘Joskai’, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally. <h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce. India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports. <h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable. The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

Stressing that it is the job of the historian to take note of new research, historian and author <keyword id="5487" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="william-dalrymple" source="Orion">William Dalrymple</keyword> says there is nothing wrong with re-examining history in light of new evidence. "It is a good thing that history must be reexamined by every successive generation: relooked at and rethought and discussed over again. I personally believe that it is not at all a bad thing for history to be looked at from the ever-changing perspectives of the present. Such discussion and debate is entirely legitimate, but it has to be firmly anchored in the facts found in the primary sources and not just be an expression of political opinion, nationalistic muscle-flexing, or religious orthodoxy. "Sadly, there is often a tendency in this country to reduce history to binaries: a world full of great heroes and great villains. In reality, human beings are rarely black or white: we are all different shades of gray," he tells IANS at the 6th Kerala Literature Festival organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation. "It's the historian's job to research and express those subtle nuances. In history, nuance is everything." Currently working on his next book 'The Golden Road', the story of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>n influence spreading out over Asia - Buddhism going up to China and Hinduism and Sanskrit going down to South East Asia, and India numbers and mathematics going West, Dalrymple, born in Scotland wrote his first book 'In Xanadu: A Quest' at the age of 22 and moved to Delhi in 1989. Spending five years researching his best-known 'The City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi', his other bestselling works include 'From the Holy Mountain: A Journey in the Shadow of Byzantium', 'The Age of <keyword id="84966" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kali" source="Orion">Kali</keyword>', 'White Mughals', 'The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty, Delhi 1857', 'Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India', 'The Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan' and 'The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire.' Stressing he chooses to write history at this moment, though he loved writing travelogues in his twenties and could go back to them one day, the author says he has often considered writing a sequel to his 2010 bestseller, 'Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India'. Also a photographer, Dalrymple says that writing and photography use different parts of the brain: Photography is immediate and about the instant moment, while writing is slow, and considered and involves much editing, rewriting, and rethinking. "They both give me different pleasures. I am also doing a podcast titled 'Empire' with Anita Anand. It's been a surprising hit since it started in August and there are now a million downloads a month. Earlier, it was just British, US, and Australian audiences, but now it is doing really well in India too." The author, who has also collaborated with singer-composer <keyword id="774239" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vidya-shah" source="Orion">Vidya Shah</keyword> for literary-musical acts ('The Last Mughal' and the White Mughals') feels it is interesting to divide his time between different forms of creativity and believes the variety keeps him fresh and engaged, always wrestling with new challenges: "While my main calling is history, I am also a photographer and have been a travel writer, a foreign correspondent, a festival organiser, and a podcaster. Next year, I am taking up a visiting fellowship at Al Souls College, <keyword id="46985" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="oxford" source="Orion">Oxford</keyword>. If you keep yourself fresh and interested you're more likely to keep your audience engaged." In his research process, the best part is visiting the places where the events he will write about took place. "It is more like a holiday -- going to the ruins and the temples and the battlefields. Yes, the archives are a slog. But the hardest bit is writing... putting pen to paper. The first two-three months are especially tough but then you see the pile of paper building, and the writing improving through successive drafts and that feels very satisfying. It is exactly because of that difficulty that finishing a book is such a uniquely satisfying moment," he concludes. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/india-creates-world-record-for-highest-margin-win-in-odi-cricket/slidelist/97021299.cms">India creates world record for highest margin win in ODI – here are India’s biggest wins</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/ss-rajamoulis-rrr-bags-2-trophies-at-critics-choice-awards/articleshow/97019707.cms">RRR bags 2 trophies at Critics’ Choice Awards: Best Foreign Language Film &amp; Best Original Song</a>

Nothing wrong with re-examining history in light of new evidence: William Dalrymple

<ul><li>Former PM Rajiv Gandhi said, “Do not design this office for me but design it for the Prime Minister of India.” </li><li>All working women are constantly challenged because we live parallel lives.</li></ul>I have been asked to speak about my journey as an entrepreneur and a design professional. Let me begin by saying that when I began work as an interior designer and furniture manufacturer in 1971, there were no words such as “entrepreneur” or “branding” or things like Instagram and various other forms of social media that exist today. I became a designer because of family influences and growing in a city like Lucknow which is imbued with tehzeeb and nazakat. I do not think I could have been a designer if I had had parents other than those I was blessed with. They were interested in reading and the acquisition of knowledge. My father believed that books would always remain the central element of civilisation. For us knowledge came from immersive reading, and we were voracious readers. We were always interested in places and peoples. We delighted in reading the atlas and dictionaries. In the last 50 years there have been so many places which were our dream destinations, and which one has now visited……… and many places like Machu Picchu that one has not! Perhaps it is still not too late. Because of our father’s immense love for travel and discovery we saw so much of India. The first heritage site that I ever visited was at the age of nine. That was Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and the Temple of the Tooth and the Botanical Gardens in Kandy in Ceylon. All of these were early influences and have influenced my design sensibilities. I have a very contemporary mindset but one that is also deeply grounded in our own heritage. This is because one has had the good fortune of travelling through the length and breadth of India. Much as one has enjoyed the cultures of other countries, I have a deep and constant curiosity about our own country. All this informs the way I work. As far as design education is concerned, I became a designer by accident – serendipitously so! The study of literature and Hindustani classical music enriched my mindscape. I do not have formal training in design but grew up surrounded by design…….. with my father visiting many auction houses and kabadiwalas in Lucknow. It fills me with quiet pride that, as a woman without any formal training in design, I became the first designer in India, man or woman, to be conferred the <keyword id="25105" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="padma-shri" source="Orion">Padma Shri</keyword> in 1992. I was reasonably young to be bestowed this honour and I thought at that time that it would open the floodgates to many more interior designers. I have also had the distinction of being the first architect or designer from India to be invited to give an illustrated talk in 2003, at the National Building Museum in Washington DC. This museum is the most visited museum of architecture in the world. Its atrium is the venue of the first presidential ball after a new president has been sworn in. In 2014, I was appointed Chairperson of the Board School of Planning and Architecture in Bhopal, a National Institute of Excellence. That was also a first! But, if you ask me whether I was working towards breaking these glass ceilings, then the answer would be an emphatic no! These happened along the way, as a natural progression in a career in which one had put in much hard work. In my profession one is as good as one’s last project. That gets one more work and not because they like your face. No client is going to spend millions of dollars commissioning you to design their hotel if they do not believe in your talent and your ability to deliver. <div type="image" title="05 South Drawing Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi" msid="98578011" hostid="261" sizebytes="111308" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;South Drawing Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> From 1985 to 1989, I worked on the restoration and conservation of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and in 1988 to 1989 on Hyderabad House. That was the first time that HH was closed for nine months because it was not just the interior decoration that was attended to but also all the interior architecture and services like air conditioning. I designed both the decrepit courtyards in a Lutyensesque style and restored the gardens in Hyderabad House. As far as British buildings in New Delhi are concerned, I had the great privilege of working in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretariat in South Block. And am happy to note that it has remained unchanged through the tenures of the last nine Prime Ministers. The primary reason for this was the brief from the former PM, Rajiv Gandhi…… “do not design this Office for me but design it for the Prime Minister of India”. I followed this brief and worked on the building as these I firmly believe belong to the nation. His second brief was that he wanted his executive chair to be the same height as his visitors’ chairs. These are all very telling traits of character. I also designed the official residence of the Prime Minister along with restoring the two buildings that comprise the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum. In New Delhi one has also designed the interiors of the British Council Building and Library. In my career this has been a landmark project because this is the largest of their 80 institutes worldwide. It was inaugurated in 1992 by HRH the Prince of Wales. When we were presented to him, he had a very interesting conversation with me regarding the buildings on either side of the British Council. He certainly has a keen eye for architecture. <div type="image" title="03 National Assembly Building in Thimpu, Bhutan" msid="98578068" hostid="261" sizebytes="195996" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;National Assembly Building, Bhutan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Another landmark building for me in 1989 was the <keyword id="1142396" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="parliament-building" source="Orion">Parliament Building</keyword> in Bhutan called the National Assembly Building. For me, this was a completely new area of research. In those days so little was known of the art and architecture of Bhutan and neither were any books available. Immersive travelling through Bhutan, to familiarise myself with its architecture and its arts and crafts became essential. His Majesty’s office appointed as my guide, Dasho Khandu who was a living encyclopaedia on Bhutanese art and architecture. These have been amazing projects of learning for me. I like to deeply research new places and new cultures. So maybe, at the end of the day, I think this profession chose me and one is fortunate as this process of working suits my mindset. In a long design career of 50 years, I had a break in 1998. I had simply fallen off a ladder in the house and had fractured two of my cerebral vertebrae. That is when I decided I would stop designing hotels which I had done for the past almost 30 years. At that point I thought I would just design residences in and around India and not travel out to Egypt, Bhutan, England, Timbuktu, etc. But life had other plans! I went on to design a large residence in Sri Lanka and was commissioned to design a boutique hotel in the old city of Lahore. Sadly, that project was eventually abandoned. When I was in Lahore for their Literary Festival at the end of February this year when I saw this building standing as is, it made me quite nostalgic. Lahore is a beautiful city and the people are very hospitable. Along this design journey many institutions have asked me to come to give illustrated lectures. For the ‘Millennium Book on Delhi’, I was one of the eight contributors who wrote an extended essay on ‘The Planning of New Delhi’. <keyword id="118548" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="oxford-university-press" source="Orion">Oxford University Press</keyword>, the publishers of the book have a world-wide reach. That is how the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University heard of this unknown Indian and invited me to give an illustrated talk. Thus began a parallel career in being a speaker. Since Harvard one has given many lectures in many universities and institutions in the US, the UK and in South East Asia on design, architecture, conservation, literature, on ‘Mughal Jewellery as a Statement of Empire’, world heritage cultural sites in India and on social entrepreneurship. One has always believed that women such as oneself are privileged because we are educated. Never mind that we belong to the working classes! We must, with humility and gratitude, help those that are less fortunate. One has been deeply associated with ‘Satyagyan Foundation’ which was an affiliate of ‘World Literacy Canada’. Based in Varanasi, we have worked in about 400 slum areas and have altogether made 23,000 women literate. One has also been associated with ‘Save a Mother’ which was started by the amazing Dr Shiban Gunju. He has reduced the mortality rate of pregnant women by 93%. One was the founding member and last chairperson of ‘Umang’, an NGO that worked for the betterment of street children. These have been my interests and each has been a milestone. Another milestone was co-authoring ‘The Lucknow Cookbook’ with my mother. It is now in its tenth print run and has been declared a classic by Aleph, the publishers. More recently I produced and edited the large formatted book, ‘Kala - Essays on Contemporary Design Aesthetics’ which was launched in Dubai in 2019 by Sheikh Nahan and in October 2022. It had its first proper launches in Milan and London by Artize of the Jaquar Group. In November 2022, it was launched in New York and most recently in February 2023 at the ‘Lahore Literary Festival’. Every stage in life has its own milestones particularly if one is also a wife, a mother and a grandmother. All working women are constantly challenged because we live parallel lives. For me every project, whether large or small, has been a challenge. It has all added to my body of work and to my learning curve. I have never thought of myself as a woman doing all these things……. I think one creates one’s own benchmark and this is the way one has moved forward. I am still working and writing more books as our daughter, the award-winning architect <keyword id="8435490" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kohelika-kohli" source="Orion">Kohelika Kohli</keyword>, has taken over the business of running K2India. She has just launched her new brand of furniture called KOKO by K2India. One feels justifiably proud that one must have done something right. One gave them the tools of a fine education and took them travelling to broaden their minds. And then left them to follow their own passions. (The writer is an award winning architect and an author)

A Padma Shri winning architect takes us through her journey from Lucknow to Lutyens

The story of <keyword id="6385850" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Raksha-Bandhan">Raksha bandhan</keyword> is not just about brotherhood only. In India, it transforms into a bond which brings with it, the responsibility of protection. The North Indian festival has assumed importance during the time of wars and strife in a pre-independent era when pillaging was common. Women who had no surviving male relative would tie a <keyword id="6373020" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="rakhi">rakhi</keyword> to friends or acquaintances, who will then take up the role of their ‘protector’. The story of the Rakhi finds mention in mythology too. Draupadi the queen of the Pandavas, in the epic Mahabharata, is believed to have tied a band around Lord Krishna’s arms, which turned into a rakhi. In turn, Krishna saved her with an endless supply of cloth as her husband’s rivals, the Kauravas, tried to disrobe her in an open court. The widowed queen of Mewar, Karnavati, sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun of the Mughal Empire seeking help when her kingdom was under attack from Bahadur Shah. Humayun obliged and ran to rescue her despite the rivalry between the two families. Though she had immolated herself by the time his army reached the area which is now a part of Rajasthan, he did restore the kingdom to her young son by defeating Shah. The 21st century In the 21st century, Rakhsa bandhan celebrates the brotherly bond. Many Indians now refrain from tying a rakhi only to brothers but also include sisters and even parents into the fold. It has truly turned into a Thanksgiving of sorts where a family comes together and feasts, while honouring those who love and protect each other. Like most other India festivals, Rakhi too is mostly about giving gifts, in exchange for a rakhi. A large number of stores turn into a mini-Christmas offering a variety of options from potpourri, to clothes, to jewelry to spa passes. This is apart from the e-commerce blast on special offers for the day. Now, mutual funds and insurance companies also offer Rakhi schemes, making it an economically significant festival for the country. Whatever the cause and effect, Indians are known to celebrate them all with pomp, glory while sparing no expense.

The social, economical and political relationships that a Rakhi binds

<div type="image" wfid="348918"></div>

 
 <keyword id="630348" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taj-Mansingh-hotel">Taj Mansingh Hotel</keyword> situated in <keyword id="6442584" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="lutyens-delhi">Lutyens Delhi</keyword> towards the southwest of<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=india+gate&amp;sortorder=effectivedate"> India Gate</a> is one of the rare examples of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mughal+architecture&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Mughal architecture</a> in the city. Constructed entirely out of pink Dholpur sandstone and set amidst a garden, Taj Mansingh is an epitome of luxury and indulgence and while a lot of people dream of actually living in this five-star property, one man actually made that very wish come true- that too for 37 years. 
 Meet <keyword id="2354145" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dadi-Balsara">Dadi Balsara</keyword>, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=parsi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Parsi</a> businessman who had lived in Taj Mansingh Hotel for a whopping 36 years- becoming Taj Mansingh Hotel’s long-standing guest until he passed away in 2014 at the age of 71. 
 
Balsara and his wife Christina Stone (who passed away in 2009) both made the Room no 901, one of Taj Mansingh’s luxury suite their home and lived and loved the hotel as his own. The couple had no children. 
 
According to hotel sources, Balsara never felt the need of buying a house in the city as he considered Taj Mansingh as his home and the hotel staff his extended family. He not only knew the hotel like the palm of his hand, but was also incredibly close to the staff. In the course of his 36-year-long stay, he had grown close to a valet who was considered more of Balsara’s personal aide, rather than a hotel staffer. 
 
He was also the first member of the Taj InnerCircle loyalty programme. The hotel staff also talked of how co-operative Balsara was. 
 

	<div type="image" wfid="348917"></div>

 
 
 
“Whenever we would have a VIP guest- such as the Prime Minister or President of some country staying with us, who wanted the floor to be cleared- we would inform of him of the same and he would promptly comply with their wishes and would return only when the guest had left the hotel.” 
 Infact, it was Balsara who had set up the largest natural mineral water plant in Dhaula Kaun in Himachal Pradesh in with an investment of $20 million and created the niche Himayalan mineral water brand. Manufactured by his <keyword id="3543750" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mount-everest-mineral-water-limited">Mount Everest Mineral Water Limited</keyword>, he ensured that Himayalan stands out in the highly competitive bottled water segment in the country. 
 
And, as luck would have it, taking his association with the hospitality brand one step closer, he sold off his priced asset, the Himalayan brand to none other than the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=tata+group&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Tata Group</a> in 2007. This marked Tata Global Beverages foray into the Indian packaged water segment. 
 
Contrary to popular belief, Balsara was not born a billionaire. He was born into a family of modest means and began his career as an LIC officer in Nagpur, earning a meager salary of Rs 600. He later went on to the US to study psychiatry on a scholarship and started his own practice after obtaining a doctorate. 
 
Unfortunately, he was forced to look at other career options when his practice failed as hardly anyone turned up for a consultation. 
His big break came when a Japanese television channel decided to host his ‘holistic lifestyle’ programmes which as time passed became a roaring success and finally money started to roll in. 
 
It was only uphill from there. Balsara later settle in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=singapore&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Singapore</a> where he earned the title of ‘Perfumes king of Asia’ by selling perfumes. In 1991 he decided to come back to India and settled in Delhi. 
 
With a business empire spread across 63 countries, Balsara was one of the richest NRI at the time of his death. He reportedly had Rs 250 crore in his bank account.

The curious story of Dadi Balsara, the Parsi billionaire who stayed
at Taj Mansingh Hotel for 36 years

The air is crisp and it is the perfect weather to cozy up with a book and maybe brave the chilly winds to attend literary fests in the comfortable winter sun. 
 ZEE JLF exclusively shared the shortlist of all the amazing books and authors discovered and loved over the 10 years of the Festival starting 2006 for you to play catch-up to, with <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword>. 
 
There are of course categories over which the favorites have been divided and here they are: 
 
1) Female Writers - ‘Badass <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> writing for/about badass women’ includes: 
 -Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary by <keyword id="2704735" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anita-Anand">Anita Anand</keyword>, which looks at the life of an Indian princess and goddaughter of <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword> <keyword id="5657" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Victoria">Victoria</keyword> who went on to become a leading figure in the British suffragette movement. 
 -The <keyword id="4049788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="essential-gloria-steinem">Essential Gloria Steinem</keyword> Reader: As If Women Matter, a compilation of the feminist icon's writing; two books discussing sexuality and gender in the Middle East. 
 -Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middles East Needs a Sexual Revolution by <keyword id="845515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mona-Eltahawy">Mona Eltahawy</keyword> and Sex and the Citadel by <keyword id="2171668" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shereen-El-Feki">Shereen El Feki</keyword>, which offer a provocative and revealing look into this touchy issue. 
 - Postmodern feminist classic The Handmaid's Tale by the brilliant <keyword id="221634" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Margaret-Atwood">Margaret Atwood</keyword> 
 -'We Should All Be Feminists' by <keyword id="4049784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chimamanda-ngozi-adhichie">Chimamanda Ngozi Adhichie</keyword>, which was featured in Beyonce's 'Flawless' and is required reading in Swedish schools. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/what-india-read-through-flipkart-in-2016/articleshow/56256955.cms">ALSO READ: Exclusive: What India Read Through Flipkart in 2016</a> 
 
2) Memoirs - Known to inspire the most latent of dreams, learning from the experiences and challenges of others. 
 
-Jung Chang's family saga Wild Swans; Molly Crabapple's stunning memoir-manifesto. 
 -Drawing Blood; In Other Words by <keyword id="89243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jhumpa-Lahiri">Jhumpa Lahiri</keyword>, a nuanced look into learning and writing in Italian. 
 
-Jerry Pinto's Em and the Big Hoom, an autobiographical work of fiction of a boy's account of life with his mentally ill mother. 
 -Helen Macdonald's <keyword id="157266" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Samuel-Johnson">Samuel Johnson</keyword> Prize-winning H is for Hawk. 
 
3) Hindi and <keyword id="52565" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="urdu">Urdu</keyword> writers - Instrumental in shaping the outlook of the regional literature. Some of the Festival team's favorite books include: 
 
-Saadat Hasan Manto, an Urdu writer seen by many as a master of the short story. 
 
- The Mirror of Beauty, originally published in Urdu, is an epic novel set in the last days of the Mughal empire. 
 -Krishna Sobti's <keyword id="4049785" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="zindaginama">Zindaginama</keyword>, a classic of Hindi literature. 
 
-Abdullah Hussein’s The Weary Generations, an instant bestseller in Urdu, now in its 40th edition and one that’s never been out of print. 
 
4) African literature- Moving across seas to the literary genius of <keyword id="12925" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Africa">Africa</keyword>, they explored the continent to bring out prominent writers: 
 
-Ben Okri's Man Booker Prize-winning The Famished Road. 
 
-Taiye Selasi's debut Ghana Must Go chronicles the lives of a Ghanaian-Nigerian family across generations and continents. 
 - The brilliant Half of a Yellow Sun by <keyword id="538649" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chimamanda-Ngozi-Adichie">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</keyword>. 
 -The first installment of Zimbabwean-born <keyword id="99628" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alexander-McCall-Smith">Alexander McCall Smith</keyword>'s beloved No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. 
 - African Psycho by Congolese writer <keyword id="2861092" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alain-Mabanckou">Alain Mabanckou</keyword>, described by <keyword id="425741" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Economist">The Economist</keyword> as the 'prince of absurd'. 
 
-Open City, the bestselling debut by Teju Cole who's been hailed as ‘the WG Sebald of the 21st century’. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/indias-largest-youth-festival-the-under-25-summit-is-going-to-have-a-food-train/articleshow/56256709.cms">ALSO READ: India’s largest youth festival, The Under 25 summit is going to have a Food train!</a> 
 
5) Non-fiction- Chronicling real events and places, often more bizarre and unique than imagination itself, is a talent not bestowed to all.: 
 -Maximum City by <keyword id="80841" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="suketu-mehta">Suketu Mehta</keyword> offers a revealing portrait of <keyword id="6356654" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bombay">Bombay</keyword>. 
 
-Raghu Karnad's spectacular debut Farthest Field explores the often overlooked role of Indian soldiers in WW2 through the lives of his grandfather and grand-uncles. 
 -The award-winning Behind the Beautiful Forevers by <keyword id="3916987" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Katherine-Boo">Katherine Boo</keyword> is another searingly honest look into Mumbai. 
 -Jerusalem: The Biography by bestselling writer and historian <keyword id="1359419" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Simon-Sebag-Montefiore">Simon Sebag Montefiore</keyword>. 
 -Peter Frankopan's fascinating The <keyword id="48523" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Silk">Silk</keyword> Roads: A New History of the World 
 - <keyword id="5487" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="William-Dalrymple">William Dalrymple</keyword>'s Return of a King: The Battle for <keyword id="6354541" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="afghanistan">Afghanistan</keyword>, winner of the Hemingway Prize and <keyword id="4049790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="kapuciski-prize">Kapuściński Prize</keyword> in 2015. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/EXCLUSIVE-Shashi-Tharoor-talks-about-his-fears-related-to-demonetization-and-the-Paris-Agreement/articleshow/55500115.cms">ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Shashi Tharoor talks about his fears related to demonetization and the Paris Agreement</a> 
 This year, the Festival, which opens from January 19 to 23, 2017, has its speaker’s table going full force with participation from noteworthy names, such as Man <keyword id="56252" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Booker-Prize">Booker Prize</keyword> winners Paul Beatty, Richard Flanagan and <keyword id="721253" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alan-Hollinghurst">Alan Hollinghurst</keyword>, prolific Indian-American writer <keyword id="157413" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chitra-Banerjee-Divakaruni">Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni</keyword>, famed <keyword id="6354291" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="kannada">Kannada</keyword> writer S.L. Bhyrappa, poets Anne Waldman, Gulzar, <keyword id="10355" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Javed-Akhtar">Javed Akhtar</keyword> and <keyword id="4049789" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="kate-tempest">Kate Tempest</keyword> and politician and polymath <keyword id="42749" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shashi-Tharoor">Shashi Tharoor</keyword>.

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