The WWW Virtual LibraryHistory of India

This site is dedicated to information on various aspects of history of India. We have tried to cover most of the related topics and will greatly appreciate any other contribution in this respect.

By Religion

The biological mother of myriad religions, India has also  mothered religions from the world over with equal love and affection. Little  wonder then, that today, it is the boiling pot of copious religions, all  existing in a cheerful harmony. The religious tolerance of its people and the  communal harmony that its democracy upholds makes it a truly unique country on  the face of earth. The Hindu religion forms the majority of its population,  while other faiths such as Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, and  other monastic faiths represent some of the most important minorities. All  these religions have contributed in their own way for the development of art,  literature, philosophy, spiritual consciousness, and the fabric of the society  on the whole.

Hinduism

  1. Hinduism & Vedism - The periods of Hinduism and Gods of Hinduism
  2. A Tribute to Hinduism - "Hindu Wisdom", By Sushama Londhe
  3. Hinduism - ReligiousTolerance.org- Hinduism & its Henotheistic forms
  4. Hinduism- Guide to various aspects of Indian religious thought and inter-religious understanding
  5. Sanatan Dharm- Hinduism as a Way of Life
  6. The True History & Religion of India- Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism
  7. Sacred Angkor- Hinduism outside India
  8. Plenty of Hinduism information links
  9. Hindu Festivals
    1. Baisakhi- Punjabi Harvest Festival
    2. Diwali- Major Hindu Festival and New Year of Gujaratis
    3. Durga Puja- Durga puja the most prominent festival of Bengalis
    4. Dussehra- Celebrating Victory of Good over Evil
    5. Onam- Harvest Festival of Kerala
    6. Holi- Festival of Colours
    7. Karwa Chauth- Significant festival for the women of North India
    8. Mahashivratri- On this day the devotees of Shiva observe fast
    9. Makar Sankranti- Festival marking the end of Winter Season
    10. Nag Panchami- Festival of Snakes
    11. Ganesh Chaturthi- Birthday of Lord Ganesh
    12. Navratri- Nine day festival in praise of Goddess Shakti
    13. Pongal- Major Festival of Tamil Nadu
    14. Rakhi - Rakshabandhan, glorifying relation between Sister & Brother
    15. Ramnavmi- In Celebration of Lord Ram's Birth

 

Islam

  1. Brief history and development of Islam in India - Information on Islam by Aharon Daniel
  2. Islam in India - Provides consolidated information about islam and its roots in India
  3. Muslim (Islamic) festivals in India
    1. Bakr Eid - Bakr Eid (or Eid-ul-Zuha) celebrates the end of Ramada and symbolises the ultimate submission to the will of Allah.
    2. Eid-Ul-Fitr - Eid ul-Fitr is a joyful celebration of the achievement of enhanced piety. More information about the festival from Wikipedia.
    3. Muhorram - Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. More information about the festival from Wikipedia.

 

Sikhism

  1. History of Sikhs: Includes biographies of famous Sikh figures and historical events.
  2. Sikhism Home Page- Orgin, Development, Philosophy & Scriptures
  3. Information on Sikh Gurus - Audio, Video and Articles on Sikhism
  4. Facts about Sikhism- Origins, books, online resources and recent controversies
  5. Ceremonies and Festivals- Ceremonies of Birth, Marriage etc and Information on Festivals
  6. More information on Sikh Festivals
    1. Gurunanak Jayanti- Birthday Celebration of Guru Nanak, First Sikh Guru
    2. Guru Purab-Festive processions in the town of Prabhat Pheris and recital of Guru Granth Sahib
    3. Holla Mohalla- Holla Mohalla is a reminder that enjoyment of life should go hand in hand with the responsibilities to society and constant effort to improve oneself and contribute to helping others and bettering life for others.
    4. Lohri- Lohri is a festival connected with the solar year. Generally, it is an accepted fact that this festival is to worship fire.

 

Jainism

  1. Jainism Simplified- Concepts, Prayers and Rituals
  2. Information on Jainism - Links
  3. Literature on Jainism
  4. Jainism Literature Center
  5. The Jain Festivals: Calendar of Jain Festivals

 

Budhism

a) Timeline of Budhism - Chronological brief on Evolution of Budhism

 

Christianity

  1. Christianity in India - Evolution of Christianity in India, the biggest secular democracy in the world. Contains information on various types of Church in India
  2. History of Christians in Indian Society - Brief description of Christians in Indian Society with comparision between North and South Indian Christians
  3. Early, early modern and Contemporary Christianity in India- Detailed information on advent of Christianity in India on Wikipedia
  4. The Church of South India- Website representing the Church of South India and international resource center for same.
  5. The Church of North India- Site with news on latest events, resources and photo gallery.
  6. Online Encyclopedia of Christianity in India- ST: Thomas And Cranganore Special Problems of Indian History, ARTICLE BY PROF. GEORGE MENACHERY
  7. Impact of Christianity on Indian trade and Hinduism- Brief History of Christianity, trade and Christianity, Difficulties of the Christian Mission in India etc
  8. First International Conference / Seminal on the History of Early Christianity in India- Information on evolution of Christianity in India: From advent of St. Thomas to Vasco de Gama
  9. K odungallur - The Cradle of Christianity In India - HTML version of book by Prof. George Menachery & Fr. Werner Chakkalakkal, CMI. The book contains information on Kodungallur- Rome of India, a town in southern India where St. Thomas the Apostle first landed.
  10. St. Thomas in IndiaHistorians today believe that St. Thomas planted the seed of the gospel on Indian soil.Alexandria, Aden, Socotra, Ormuz, Ctesiphon, Caesarea, Taxila, Broach, Kodungallur (Muziris) and even Rome were inter-linked.
  11. Christian Festivals
    1. Good Friday- Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marked with prayers, fasts and penance, it is a day of contrition for Christians. Observed on the Friday just before Easter, it is a public holiday in India.
    2. Easter in India- Easter is the oldest of all Christian festivals. It embodies the spirit of life for devotees, as they recall the widely believed Christian legend of the resurrection of Christ. Easter honors day and its brightness. It marks the transition from night to day, and from death to life. A time for joy and happiness epitomizing new beginnings, it rejoices at the spring harvest season.
    3. Christmas in India- About celebration of Christmas in various Indian States with Photos on Times of India web page.
    4. Christmas Tradition in India- Christmas traditions in India are very different depending on where in the country you happen to be. Throughout the country, pine trees are rare, if not nonexistent, so most Christian families choose to decorate banana or mango trees instead.

 

The Parsis

  1. Parsi information - Definition, History and Demography
  2. The Parsis of Gujarat & Bombay (Mumbai) - Migration of Parsis from Gujarat to Bombay
  3. Parsis of Ahmedabad (pdf document)
  4. Book containing photographs of Parsis
  5. Eminent Parsis- Big list of famous Parsis

 

The Jews of India

  • About Indian Jews- Information on Jews and their culture from varios Indian states
  • The Jewish History Resource Center- Regional Information and impact of Hinduism on Jews in India
  • Eminent Indian Jews- List of Famous Jews of India

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    Caste Systems in India

    1. The Caste System in Hindu Society- Definition of various castes and role of Mahatma Gandhi in eradicating Caste System
    2. The Varna & Jati Systems by Terence Callaham and Roxanna Pavich
    3. Caste System in India- Detailed Description of Indian Caste System
    4. Caste System the world over…- Explains the existence of caste system in various parts of the world