Monthly Archives: December 2015

The last day of the year and EIC

Posted on December 31, 2015 by rumachak

I wanted to find out what else happened on this day apart from the birth of eight other people from my friend list. (The charter granted by the Virgin Queen) It just happens to be the day on which Queen … Continue reading →

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Euphorbia tirucalli – a childhood memory that turns out to have been a bit of a monster.

Posted on December 22, 2015 by rumachak

There are some times in life when coincidences can pile up and make you wonder. The other day I was part of a secret Santa on a gardening page and the only plant my gift receiver was hoping to receive … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden, Nature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

পণরক্ষা/Pawn Rokkha/THE OATH THAT HE SWORE

Posted on December 22, 2015 by rumachak

Reading about Bajirao Mastani on various Facebook walls reminded me of a poem from my childhood, the Maratha ditch that was built around parts of Calcutta in 1742 to keep the Maratha marauders out and a children’s rhyme about how … Continue reading →

Posted in Bengal, Folk tales, Tagore, Translated Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

The man who never was – at Piltdown.

Posted on December 18, 2015 by rumachak

(The Piltdown Gang) From being dubbed the ‘Earliest Englishman’ to being used as a tool to mock women agitating for equal voting rights, the skull of Piltdown Man saw many uses. But despite the best efforts of Charles Dawson who … Continue reading →

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The ransacking of Siri, Jahan Panh and Old Delhi by Timur Lang, December 17th, 1398

Posted on December 17, 2015 by rumachak

(The defeat of Delhi and Sultan Nasir Al-Din Mahmud Tughluq) “On Wednesday, the eighth of Rabi’ the second (Dec. 17, 1398), The Emperor Sahib-Kiran took the city of Delhi.” The poets that accompanied Timur Lang on his ransack of Delhi worked … Continue reading →

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Emperor Napoleon, 2nd December 1804

Posted on December 2, 2015 by rumachak

A woman who was made to look younger for those who would see her, a man whose egotistical nature was clear in the way he stood, a grouping that was doctored to make certain parts highlighted and everyone somewhat nobler … Continue reading →

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India’s first Test series in Australia

Posted on December 2, 2015 by rumachak

India were all out for 58 on the 1st of December back in 1947 at the Brisbane Test. Bradman made 185 and Ernie Toshack took 5 wickets in 2.3 overs or 19 balls. Australia won the series 4-0 but I … Continue reading →

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