History of 6th May- Mughals, Aurobindo & 1857
A devoted foodie with keen interest in wild life, music,…
This episode of history of 6th May includes the Battle of Ghaghra in 1529 to the invention of the Yale cylinder lock in 1851. Also speaks about the disbandment of the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, and the story of the Alipore Bomb Case and Sri Aurobindo’s acquittal. Also, know about the Indo-Argentinean film ‘Thinking of Him’ at the India International Centre on May 8th at 6:30 PM to celebrate Rabindra Jayanti.
Ah! We have reached the 6th of May. Just one more day to celebrate Rabindra Jayanti. So before I share the history of 6th May let me share some information with you. Do visit the India International Centre on the 8th of May at 6:30 PM.
Why? Because The India International Centre will be holding a screening of the Indo-Argentinean film ‘Thinking of Him’ on the occasion of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s 162nd birth anniversary. The film, directed by renowned Argentinean filmmaker Pablo Cesar and produced by award-winning Indian filmmaker Suraj Kumar, follows Tagore’s visit to Argentina where he established a platonic friendship with the Argentinean writer Victoria Ocampo.
Why don’t you see some stills from the movie –
That brings me to
today’s 1st story …
The Battle of Ghaghra
History of 6th May takes us to the year 1529 when the Battle of Ghaghra was fought between the Mughal Empire led by Babur and the Eastern Afghan Confederates under Sultan Mahmud Lodi and the Sultanate of Bengal under Sultan Nusrat Shah. The battle was a significant event in the Mughal Empire’s conquest of India.
The Mughal Empire, under Babur’s leadership, emerged victorious in the battle, which led to the annexation of Bihar and surrounding territories by the empire. The battle also resulted in a peace settlement with the Sultanate of Bengal.
The Battle of Ghaghra is considered to be a pivotal moment in the history of the Indian subcontinent, as it marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire’s expansion into the region. The victory paved the way for the Mughals to establish a powerful and long-lasting empire in India.
Today, the Battle of Ghaghra remains an important historical event, and it is studied by scholars and historians to understand the complex political and military dynamics of the time and the impact of the Mughal Empire on India’s history and culture.
With this, I come to yet another story …
34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry at Barrackpore
History of 6th May, the year 1857, the British East India Company disbanded the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry at Barrackpore, a cantonment town near Kolkata in present-day India. The 34th Regiment was one of the Indian regiments of the British East India Company’s army, comprising mostly of soldiers recruited from the Bengal province.
The disbandment of the 34th Regiment was a significant event that led to a series of mutinies and uprisings against British rule in India, which eventually culminated in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The reasons for the disbandment were primarily due to the regiment’s refusal to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges that were greased with animal fat, which was considered taboo by both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
The disbandment was a signal to the other Indian regiments that the British East India Company was willing to use force to suppress any form of dissent, and it served as a catalyst for the widespread mutinies that erupted throughout the Indian army. The disbandment of the 34th Regiment was also one of the many grievances that fueled the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which sought to overthrow British rule in India.
Overall, the disbandment of the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry was a crucial event that contributed to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a turning point in the history of British rule in India.
Too many stories of wars and battles… let us talk about Rishi Aurobindo now.
Aurobindo Acquited
History of 6th May 1909, the Indian nationalist Sri Aurobindo was acquitted in the Alipore Bomb Case in Calcutta, India. This case was a significant event in India’s struggle for independence from British rule.
Sri Aurobindo was one of the leaders of the Indian nationalist movement and was accused of involvement in a conspiracy to bomb government buildings in Calcutta. The trial was held in Alipore, and the case was widely publicized, both in India and abroad.
Despite the prosecution’s efforts to prove his guilt, Sri Aurobindo’s defense team, led by Chittaranjan Das, was able to establish his innocence. The court found that the evidence against him was weak and circumstantial, and he was ultimately acquitted of all charges.
The Alipore Bomb Case was a turning point in the Indian nationalist movement. It highlighted the British government’s oppressive tactics and further galvanized Indians to fight for their independence. Sri Aurobindo, who later became a spiritual leader and philosopher, remains a prominent figure in India’s struggle for freedom.
With this, I come to the last story for the day…
Yale cylinder lock
On May 6th, 1851, Linus Yale Jr. was granted a patent for the Yale cylinder lock, a mechanism that revolutionized the locking industry. The Yale lock was designed to provide increased security and convenience compared to traditional locks, which often relied on bulky keys that could be easily duplicated.
The Yale lock used a small, flat key that was inserted into a cylindrical mechanism. When the key was turned, the cylinder rotated, moving a series of pins that allowed the lock to be opened. This design made it difficult for thieves to pick the lock or duplicate the key, and it quickly became the standard for high-security locks.
Today, the Yale lock remains one of the most popular and reliable locking mechanisms in the world. It has been adapted and refined over the years, but its basic design remains largely unchanged. Linus Yale Jr.’s invention has had a lasting impact on the security industry, and his legacy lives on in the millions of Yale locks that are used to protect homes, businesses, and valuables around the world.
That’s all for the day.
Goodbye
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A devoted foodie with keen interest in wild life, music, cinema and travel Somashis has evolved over time . Being an enthusiastic reader he has recently started making occasional contribution to write-ups.