Explore Ancient India

                                                                      Figure 1 Author: Biswarup Chatterjee           In the folklore as well as the indigenous culture of Cooch Behar, one of the most famous male deity is ‘Sannyasi Thakur’ (Figure 1), Sannyasi (monk) Thakur (God), the deity is also quite popular in the name of Sannyasi Shiva. Actually the God is a localized form of Lord Shiva . {Shiva is one of the main Hindu gods, who is a multifaceted and profound character, represents both rebirth and destruction. As the destroyer or transformer of the cosmos, Shiva is revered as "Mahadeva" (the Great God) and is one of the three members of the Hindu Trimurti concept, together with Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver). Sannyasi Thakur is revered in the folk beliefs of this regi...

          Author: Biswarup Chatterjee. According to the field survey conducted in various villages across the five subdivisions of Cooch Behar district, several significant and influential manifestations of the awakened folk deity Masan have been identified. For instance, we may cite the following examples.  Gaḍkāṭā Masan:            One of the most prominent and ancient manifestations of the folk deity Masan in the Cooch Behar district is the "Gaḍkāṭā Masan." This Masan shrine is situated beside the paved road in the village of Alokjhari, under Gossanimaari-I Gram Panchayat of the Dinhata subdivision. The deity is enshrined in a west-facing brick temple with a tin roof on the left side of the Dinhata-Gosanimari National Highway, within the mentioned village. Revered as one of the oldest and most awakened forms of Masan in the district, Gaḍkāṭā Masan is worshipped by all and holds a significant place among the folk deities of N...

  Figure 1: Idols of Masan Deity By Biswarup Chatterjee .         It is difficult to precisely determine when and how Hinduism began to spread in Cooch Behar. However, there is no doubt that Shaivism had the most prominent influence in the ancient princely state of Cooch Behar. From various historical texts, we came to know that the kings of Cooch Behar constructed numerous temples and installed idols, not only across this district but also in neighboring districts and states, affirming that the royal lineage adhered to Hinduism. Such influence can be clearly seen in the various traditional festivals and rituals of the region .The majority of the subjects were also followers of Hinduism.         Later on, with the growing influence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, many local or regional customs and festivals underwent such transformations that it has become exceedingly difficult to determine their original roots. Numerous religious preachers arri...

 (Courtesy: https://images.app.goo.gl/ca36q1ZPgPbsJq7WA). By Biswarup Chatterjee

Courtesy: (https://images.app.goo.gl/ru2aBP3yPQEpDuh59) (Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.) Introduction The Mauryan Empire stands as one of the most influential and expansive empires in ancient Indian history. Among its rulers, Emperor Ashoka remains the most prominent—both for his political achievements and his transformative embrace of Buddhism. This blog explores Ashoka's lineage, the legacy of his predecessors, and the nuanced historical debates surrounding his rise to power. Chandragupta Maurya: The Founder of an Empire. The Mauryan dynasty began with Chandragupta Maurya, who ascended the throne of Magadha after defeating Seleucus Nicator, the former general of Alexander the Great and ruler of Syria. This victory allowed Chandragupta to expand his dominion across northern India and into the northwest up to Kandahar. Greek sources note that Seleucus sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta’s court at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna). Megasthenes’ observations offer one of t...