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On Independence Day, when we remember the martyrs, their faces begin to appear in our minds, stories of the freedom struggle start to circulate in our thoughts, and the resonance of patriotic songs brings a unique solace to our ears. In such moments, the ten authentic stories we present to you will make you feel as if you are listening to tales of pre-independence India from your grandparents.
We are confident that you will greatly enjoy these ten short stories and that they will compel you to reflect. Let's begin with ten historical stories from before independence.
1. Idea of Kalka-Shimla Rail Came from a Correspondent
The idea of connecting Shimla by rail was first proposed by a correspondent to the Delhi Gazette in November 1847. Shimla became the summer capital of British India in 1864 and was the headquarters of the Indian Army. This meant that twice a year, it was necessary to transfer the entire government between Calcutta and Shimla by horse and ox-drawn carts. In 1891, the broad-gauge Delhi-Kalka line was extended to Shimla. Photo credit: UNESCO.
2. Air India During World War II
Air India was founded by J. R. D. Tata in April 1932. In 1938, it was renamed Tata Air Services and later became Tata Airlines. During World War II, the airline assisted the Royal Air Force with troop movements, shipping of supplies, rescue of refugees, and maintenance of planes. After the war, regular commercial service resumed in India, and Tata Airlines became a public limited company on July 29, 1946, under the name Air India. After independence, 49% of the airline was acquired by the Government of India. Photo credit: Gracesguide.
3. When Humayun's Tomb Was Fouled with Human Waste
The tomb of Humayun was built by the orders of his first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum. Construction began in 1565 and was completed in 1572; it cost 1.5 million rupees. During the partition in 1947, tens of thousands of Muslims sheltered behind the 16th-century walls of Humayun's Tomb while waiting for safe passage to Pakistan. It is said that the regal fountains at Humayun's Tomb became so fouled with human waste that they had to be filled in with sand.
4. History of Bangalore's KR Market
KR Market in Bangalore was built in 1921. The structure was inspired by the architectural design of Calcutta's Sir Stuart Hogg Market (now known as New Market in Kolkata). In the early 1800s, there was a lake called Siddikatte. In the late 1850s, the area became an open ground that was soon taken over by makeshift shops of fruit and vegetable vendors. Finally, in 1914, the city municipal body decided to construct a market here.
5. Cubbon Park is Not Always Called Cubbon Park
The park was initially named Meade's Park after Sir John Meade, the acting Commissioner of Mysuru, in 1870. It was later renamed Cubbon Park after Sir Mark Cubbon, Chief Commissioner of Mysore. In 1927, the park was again renamed Sri Chamarajendra Park to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar's rule in Mysore State.
6. Calcutta's Writers' Building Was Not for Writers
Writers' Building was the first three-storey building in Calcutta, now Kolkata. The building was constructed to accommodate the East India Company's junior-level servants, who were then called 'writers.' It took 90 years to complete this magnificent structure, with construction beginning in 1690 and finishing in 1780.
7. Buland Darwaza Was Also Known as the Horseshoe Gate
The Buland Darwaza was built in 1602 by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is set into the south wall of the Dargah Mosque at Fatehpur Sikri and was probably built to commemorate Akbar's conquest of Gujarat in 1573. Locals also call it the Horseshoe Gate because its wooden doors are adorned with horseshoes for luck.
8. Is the Golden Temple Covered in Real Gold?
Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the Golden Temple in gold in 1830, around 200 years after its construction. This required 162 kg of 24-karat gold, then worth about Rs 65 lakh. In the 1990s, it was renovated with 500 kg of gold, and in 2018, an additional 160 kg of gold was added to enhance the beauty of the four entrances.
9. How Indians Got Addicted to Heroin
Very few people know that King Alexander introduced opium (heroin) to Persia and India in 330 BC. During the British period, opium became a significant source of revenue. The British exploited Indians through mass production of opium, leading to widespread addiction. By 1903, heroin addiction had reached alarming levels across India.
10. NSC Rates on 16 August 1947, Where it was used?
The day after India's independence, the National Savings Central Bureau (NSCB) issued new interest rates for National Savings Certificates in denominations of Rs 5, 10, 50, 100, etc. According to the then-rule, every Rs 10 certificate would become Rs 15 in 12 years at a rate of 3.5% per year. Under British rule, the Government of India established the NSCB to promote thrift, curb inflation caused by the Second World War, and mobilize funds to finance the war.
Read this article in Hindi- भारत की स्वतंत्रता से पहले की 10 लघु कथाएं जो आपको सोचने पर कर देंगी मजबूर
