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And Quiet Flows the Bhagirathi: Murshidabad in the 21st Century

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And Quiet Flows the Bhagirathi ----- Murshidabad in the 21st century (A memory of Bengal's lost capital on the banks of Bhagirathi)   Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post has affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Forgotten Capital  The Bhagirathi River is a distributary of the Ganges (Ganga). It leaves Ganga just northeast of Jangipur, flows south, and joins Jalangi at Nabadwip. The banks of the Bhagirathi earned a very special place in history for providing sanctuary to legendary settlements, most notably Murshidabad and Palashi.  During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the capital of undivided Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was shifted from Dhaka to Murshidabad. The name was coined by the first Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan. As the capital of the entire eastern segment of today’s India and Bangladesh, this little-known tow...
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India Murshidabad, West Bengal, India
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Poems of a retired Engineer from Calcutta

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Poems penned by retired eminent Engineer Ramni Prasad SUNSET AT MAYFAIR EMERALD As I sit on the terrace Of Mayfair Emerald in Kolkata, I watch a heavenly phenomenon unfold In the western sky. The sun larger and red, Seems sinking in the horizon With an ever changing cloud pattern A spectacle I watch in utter amazement. The birds fly homewards, Tired after the day’s toil, Gather in groups, Bidding goodbye to the restless world. The dogs bark on the road below, To settle some grave issues, Then suddenly withdraw And silence prevails again. I go round the terrace, On a leisurely walk. Keep counting the mandatory rounds, That falsely assures my fitness. On the pavements below, Ladies young and old, Gather after their day’s toil, To enjoy some mirth and merriment. New apartment houses, Keep coming up, Served so far, by a sing...
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India 68, Pratapaditya Road, Lalpara, Mudiali, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026, India
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food - great tastes

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🍳 Jump to Recipe Shami Kebab - a Royal Taste While most kebabs are merely eaten, a true Lucknowi Shami Kebab is experienced . Imagine a texture so silky it yields to the slightest pressure, infused with the royal aroma of Rose Water and Shah Jeera . This isn't just a recipe; it's a heritage secret from the heart of Awadh, perfected in Ruby's Kitchen. IN SEARCH OF TASTE - A TALE OF FOUR CITIES A food aficionado’s mouthwatering journey over the years in the cities he lived. Read  Rana's memoir with food. Cooking has been regarded as one of the greatest arts right from the time of Julius Caesar. Although elements of the art of cooking are easy to define, I have discovered over the years that the tastes that still linger on my tongue are the tastes that mattered. In that respect, my nanny still remains unbeatable as the greatest cook in my life. We called her ‘nannabhai’, derived from the Bengali word ‘ranna’ for cooking. Be it ...
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A Roman Holiday: Exploring Ancient Ruins & Papal Rome

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Colosseum ROMA - Ancient Rome & Papal Rome Ancient Rome: Gladiators and Grand Amphitheatres Imagine going back 2000 years in time and space while standing on the stone floor inside a colossal amphitheatre. Amidst thousands of Roman spectators. The booms of drums reverberate as the ceremonial parade enters the stadium. After saying ‘Ave imperator; morituri te salutant’ (those who are about to die salute you) to the emperor, the gladiatorial combat begins. The crowd shouts jeers and throws their hands up in excitement.  Sixty thousand spectators? It evokes the unmistakable roar of the crowd at Eden Gardens in Calcutta while watching a thrilling cricket match. The gestures, the excitement, and the uproar may differ from our present-day Mexican waves. But how does that matter? After all, a stadium is a venue for entertainment—be it the bloodiest sport in mankind's history. And how the Romans loved watching violence and killings. Histor...
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ISTANBUL WAS CONSTANTINOPLE

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ISTANBUL  - Istanbul to Constantinople and back to Istanbul                                                                                                                                             (Part II)                   Istanbul is believed to have been inhabited since 5500 BC. Being strategically located on the Mediterranean , it was vulnerable to invaders from different countries in Asia and Europe who periodically occupied Istanbul from time to time. The first recorded occupation had taken place in the late seventh century BC when the Greek ruler Byzas established his kingdom h...
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THE LOST KINGDOM

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The Lost Kingdom - Khmer Empire Visit Timeshares 9 th Century AD. Angkor was the largest city in the world. For the next 500 years, it was the capital of the Khmer Empire. The city witnessed the construction of hundreds of world famous temples built by the Khmer rulers. This sprawling complex of Angkorian ruins lies north of a safe, friendly and pleasant town of Siem Reap on the shores of Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap earned its name after the Khmer empire defeated and took over the Thai kingdom in the 17 th century. It literally means ‘Siamese defeated’. Because of its proximity to Angkor Archaeological Park, it has turned out to be one of the lively and touristic cities of Cambodia over the last decade. We stayed at Hotel Visoth Boutique, which is very conveniently located in Siem Reap. It is truly a boutique hotel. Homely with a warm and hospitable staff. We started off for Angkor Wat early in the morning when it was still dark outside. We did not want to miss...
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