How did Shivaji Maharaj create the Maratha Navy?

Despite calling him as the father of Indian Navy, we don't often read about this fascinsting episode of Indian history.

Actually, there are a lot of fascinsting stories about it. Watch a historian of Marathas giving a very quick capsule perspective on hurdles faced and overall strategy followed by Shivaji. It must have been a hell lot of daring act...! And it did yield wonderful results.

https://youtu.be/Jq8bFLkhBWQ

Dambulla Cave Temple

The day started with another 600 steps hillock climb. There are 5 caves with many large and small painted Buddha murtis. The cave walls are all painted.

The era to which it belongs to spans from 100 BCE (Sangama period for our rederence, or specifically, pre-Christian period) to 1700 CE (Maratha period for our reference again).

It was originally constructed by the king Walagamba. He was the king of Anuradhapura in north srilanka. But invasion from South India Tamil kings led to his flight from his capital. He went to further south in Lanka and came to this area. When he reconquered his capital in Anuradhapura, he constructed this place.

If we take our reference, the caves belong to the time when Satavahanas started excavating Ajanta and Shakas started funding Kanheri. Exactly at the time when Satavahana and Shakas were fighting to control the Roman trade in Deccan, the king Walagamba accepted Buddbism and used it to consolidate his own power in Srilanka.

What I find wonderful is that we see spread of Buddhism to Andhra coast and Sri Lanka in this period. While Tamilnadu was sandwiched by these two areas, we see least impact of Buddhism in Sangam Literature, which has much more traces of Hinduism. And all these areas were not isolated but had frequent intercourse. This to me seems like a puzzle.

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This place also a unesco world heritage site. Well protected. There is not a single foodshop in a near vicinity and the entire hill is clean. Both Sigiriya and Dambulla are some of the cleanest historic sites that I have so far seen in Indian subcontinent.

Visit for Photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCVttPHyUAZ/?igsh=MXR5YmZsazMxd3Nieg==

Sri Dalada Maligawa

Today afternoon I visited the The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple at Kandy, Srilanka. It is one of the holiest places of Buddhism in Lanka. However, the building housing it is not very old, it was constructed hardly a few centuries ago.

Notwithstanding, there is a long story of the chain of custody of Buddha's tooth relic. How it kept on changing hands from Khema to some Odiya King then finally it reached Srilanka. The role of Dantha and Hemamala, the Odiyan royals, who took it from India to Srilanka in the 4th century, sometime during the beginning of the Gupta era, is well remembered in this respect. The reason for this transfer is cited to be local rivalry, both political and religious.

Interestingly, after reaching Srilanka the story doesn't end. It rather takes a new lease of life. Many new episodes were added to it. The most recent episodes in the life of the tooth relic are from British era who added some new content to it. Its worth reading from it's very scratch.

This entire story/history/myth is very central to the identity of Srilanka Budhhism and Buddhists here. Everyone knows about it. Its a popular story. As recent as in 2014, there was even a movie on this named Siri Daladagamanaya.

Visit for Photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCWqj75NDia/?igsh=ZW5ldmh5OGRlYmhm

Continuing our series in Eminent Historians, this is a video on a different perspective on Mughal Decline.

I have already planned about 20-22 new snippets in line. They cover many facets of Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian History. You would be in for a treasure.

The whole idea is that as students you don't have time to dig into this treasure. We, as teachers, should bring you interesting nuggets that would add value to your preparation.

You can watch these video snips. Enrich your understanding as these are some of the stalwart authorities in their own fields. From these, you can add relevant content to your notes. You can quote this historians in your answers.

https://youtu.be/PfHacAPtHRA?si=9iSHpvQE_fhWcTlV

We have started a new initiative for CUET PG. If you are preparing for this exam, you must not miss it. Its a whole new YT channel completely dedicated to CUET.

Don't forget to subscribe for a lot of new exciting content.

https://youtu.be/7YW-gqNO_NE

https://www.youtube.com/live/OWeLMrTIEtg?si=hHAg1iNartiI7ywD

PMP Orientation & Strategy Session | Today | 5PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTVP1eiZh2A

First lecture of our Prelims Masters Program. The batch started yesterday.
Link: https://www.levelupias.com/upsc-prelims-master-program-pmp-batch-1/

We are coming with a new initiative for History Optional students... It will be announced next week... I am personally very excited and thrilled as this is something very close to my heart. Embrace yourself.
(just trying to create some curiosity..:))

🎬 Gear up for our second movie screening!

Open to All – Watch Inside Out 2 (2024) at LevelUp IAS!

👉 Register Here: https://bit.ly/LevelUp_FREE_Movie

Date: 1st December | Time: 5 PM
📍 Location: LevelUp IAS, Karol Bagh
LevelUp IAS, Karol Bagh Centre (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tNGTrbR4KmxBa6um8) 2nd Floor, 45 Pusa Road, Opp. Metro Pillar 128, Karol Bagh

Inside Out 2 (2024) is the much-anticipated sequel that takes us back into Riley’s mind as she navigates the rollercoaster of teenage life. This time, new emotions join the team, adding depth and humor to the journey of understanding feelings and mental health.

Perfect for UPSC aspirants, the screening will be followed by an insightful discussion on how these themes connect to mental well-being and UPSC preparation.

Invite your friends too!

📞 For queries, call: 08045248491 / 7041021151

I know that it's little cheeky for me directly to ask this.

Also, all sincere students should definitely try to stay away from Instagram, at least during their first year of preparation. That is what I advise as a teacher. If we need any social media, it is YT and Telegram, where we have content relevant for our exam...

And yet here I am. With Instagram. Do follow only if you are not able to stay away from Instagram..:)

🌟 Welcome December with Focus and Balance! 🌟

With exams fast approaching, it’s time to do more than just hit the books. Equip yourself with proven techniques to improve sleep, manage screen time, and conquer procrastination. These essential skills will sharpen your focus, boost productivity, and set the right mindset for success.

📝 Register here https://forms.gle/XN5eHpZAndXt5M9V9 to secure your spot to elevate your preparation—mentally and academically. Invitations and confirmations will be shared via email and WhatsApp.

Let’s make this December count! 🚀

Students, here is the schedule for Week 24 of History Optional Foundation 2025. We will continue with Modern Indian History in this week.

Sundays are reserved for revision.

Watch lectures here - www.youtube.com/@HistoryOptionalforUPSC

Note: The full History Optional program is available for FREE with classes uploaded daily at 9 am on YouTube channel given above.