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Soordas
Just because the boy was blind, he became the butt of every unkind prank. Little did his family realize that Soordas could often see more than anyone else. He could direct a shepherd to his lost goat and a father to his missing son. He could describe exactly how the idol of his beloved Lord Krishna was dressed in the temple each day. The Mughal emperor Akbar personally came to invite him to his court. The poet Tulsidas visited him. The powerful, the wise and the ordinary flocked to him for his all-seeing wisdom and his soul-stirring songs of devotion.
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Verghese Kurien
When Verghese Kurien stepped down from the train and on to the dusty platform in Anand, Gujarat, on 13 May, 1949, little did he know that his life was going to change unimaginably. Waiting for him was not just his own destiny but that of thousands of small, marginalised farmers who, until then, had only known exploitation and deprivation. The story of Dr. Kurien is the story of Amul. It is the story of Operation Flood, the 'billion-liter idea' that set India on the top of the world map for milk production. A die-hard patriot, Kurien was committed to the co-operative cause. He put the milk industry in the hands of the farmers, believing firmly that with ownership would come responsibility and great success. And he was right. Amar Chitra Katha traces the story of the man who is known as the 'Father of the White Revolution'
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Tansen
From imitating animal sounds to igniting a fire with his song, Tansen's genius was unmatched. His voice was so much in demand that wily patrons used it to gain political advantage. Such a talent could win loyal friends and a beautiful wife, but it could also make others viciously jealous. In Emperor Akbar's court, he was a jewel more precious than the diamonds and pearls that were showered on him and he remains to this day a shining symbol of classical Indian music.
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Shankar Dev
Shankaravara could run faster than all his friends and swim across the brahmaputra when it was in spate but when his grandmother scolded him for not paying attention to his books, he took her words seriously named shankar dev by his guru, the young man fulfilled all his duties as a student and a householder before embarking on a voyage of self-discovery a voyage which led to his starting the vaishnava movement in assam.
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Basaveshwara
When the child Basava was born he did not cry or open his eyes for days. According to Sage Jataveda, who later became his guru, Basava had been in a yogic trance. Basaveshvara was a unique human being, a reformer way ahead of his times. Eight hundred years ago, at a time when society was ridden with the evils of a rigid caste system, he spoke of equality and believed in the emancipation of women.
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Dayananda
His grip could halt two galloping horses but it was his intellectual strength that instilled pride in the people of his country. Their old customs were often foolish and unjust, and it took Dayananda’s courage and wisdom to fight for reform. By establishing a string of Arya Samaj centres, he helped in uniting different classes of people who could, eventually, fight together for the freedom of their country.
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Zarathushtra
Good thoughts, good words and good deeds' was the simple message delivered by Zarathushtra, the prophet of ancient Persia. Strangely, no cry came from him when he was born over 8,000 years ago. Instead, the baby Zarathushtra smiled, and it was predicted - correctly - that he would preach love and justice to the world, but would have a hard time convincing vengeful rivals. Strong in their faith, his followers are known today as Zoroastrians; also known as Paris in India.
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Banda Bahadur
Inspired by Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Bahadur led the Sikh rebellion against the Mughal Empire. For eight years, he ravaged the whole of North India. The havoc he created in the Indo-Gangetic plain was of such magnitude that the Mughals could never restore their administration. Invasions by the Persian tyrant, Nadir Shah and the Afghan, Ahmed Shah Abdali hastened the decline of the once mighty empire. This helped the Sikhs to emerge as the rulers of Punjab. Banda Bahadur thus paved the way for the foundation of the Sikh Kingdom.
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Bagha Jatin
When a tiger attacked Jatin Mukherji, his friends felt sorry for the tiiger! The animal was killed and Jatin spent only a short time in hospital recuperating from his wounds. The young man went on to display grit and determination to combat the worst of British colonialism in Bengal. He inspired his countrymen, who were in awe of their British masters, to stand tall and proud.
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Amar Singh Rathor
Amar Singh Rathor was a commander in the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's army. The emperor held him in great esteem and valued his service. But once when Shah Jahan was tricked into imposing a heavy fine on the Rajput by jealous and scheming courtiers, Amar Singh was furious and defiant. In the ensuing battle for honour, the Rajput fought bravely and escaped but was killed by his treacherous brother-in-law. His body was, however, retrieved from the emperor's custody by two comrades and cremated with due respect.
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The Rani Of Kittur
When Chenamma, the queen of Kittur, lost her only son she was steeped in sorrow. But when her husband reminded her that even the people of Kittur were her children she pulled herself together and devoted her life to their well-being. So committed was she to the honour and welfare of her land that when the British came asking for its allegiance she took on their military strength and fought them to the end.
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Rana Sanga
Rana Sanga, the ruler of Mewar, had his eyes set on the throne of Delhi. However, the rising Mughal star Babur got rid of the Lodhi Sultan of Delhi. Thus the stage was set for the confrontation between the formidable Rana and an equally determined Babur who had just found a new home for his men, Hindustan.
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Baladitya And Yashodharma
In the 5th century AD the Hunas of Gandhara or modern Afghanistan had their eyes trained on the rich kingdoms of India. Toramana, the leader of the Hunas and after him his son, Mihirakula, were determined to conquer the prosperous kingdom of Magadha. But they had a formidable rival in its ruler, Narasimha Gupta Baladitya and when the Hunas turned their eyes on Malwa it was King Yashodharma who fought them off.
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Elephant Stories
An elephant's grace often matches his size. Amazingly patient and kind, he can put the petty greed of human beings to shame. But at times the odd elephant can turn nasty. What then can the smaller creatures of the world do to save themselves? Read the ancient wisdom of these Jataka tales to find out.