There is a raga in Indian classical music called Bhairavi that is almost always performed last, as a kind of farewell. Musicians say it carries the feeling of parting, of something beautiful drawing to a close. What Bhairavi reveals is something essential about classical music in Bhārat: every aspect of this tradition, from the choice of notes to the time of performance, is designed to speak to a specific part of human experience. This is music built not to entertain but to move, to illuminate, and sometimes, to say goodbye in the most beautiful way possible.
As we write this, eight of the world’s greatest chess players are locked in battle at a resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, for the right to challenge Gukesh Dommaraju, the reigning World Chess Champion. The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament is midway through its fourteen rounds, and already producing the kind of drama that makes the game irresistible. But few of the spectators watching online will pause to consider that this game, this ancient contest of kings and strategy, was born in Bhārat, perhaps as many as 1,500 years ago, in the courts of the Gupta Empire.
For thousands of years, Bhārat has been a land where people cared deeply about learning. Knowledge was not something kept inside classrooms or textbooks, it was shared in open courtyards, discussed during long walks, and passed from teacher to student with great respect. Long before modern universities appeared elsewhere, Bhārat had already created remarkable centers of study that drew students from many different lands. Among these, four ancient universities, or viśvavidyālaya, stand out for their size, influence, and lasting legacy.
Mumbai, Bhārat’s financial capital and one of the most populous cities in the world, is a bustling metropolis with a fascinating history. Before it became the vibrant city we know today, Mumbai was an archipelago of seven islands, each with its own unique identity and story. These islands, over centuries, were gradually fused together through land reclamation to form the present-day Mumbai. Let’s delve into the history of these seven islands and explore how they transformed into a single urban expanse.
Delhi, the heart of Bhārat, is a vibrant city where ancient history meets modernity. Built on the legendary foundation of Indraprastha from the Mahabharata era and the remnants of at least seven historical cities, each contributing to its rich cultural heritage. Let’s journey through time and explore these seven cities that form the foundation of modern Delhi.
Throughout her long and rich history, Bhārat has been known by various names. These names, each name with its own history, its own significance, reflect the diverse aspects of this ancient land. Let’s take a look at some of these different names.
