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History Reference Center
Full-text articles to support research in history and genealogy and lesson plans to support student learning.
1) Padmaavat
Language
Hindi
Description
Set in 1303 AD medieval India, this is the story of honor, valor and obsession. Queen Padmavati is known for her exceptional beauty along with a strong sense of justice and is the wife of Maharawal Ratan Singh and pride of the Kingdom of Chittor, a prosperous kingdom in the north west of India. The legend of her beauty reaches the reigning sultan of Hindustan, Allaudin Khilji.
2) Kalank
Language
Hindi
Description
Set in 1945, in Pre-Independent India, the elite, opulent and solemn world of the Chaudhry family, and the wild, mysterious and musical underbelly of the town, Hira Mandi, clash when Roop Chaudhry encounters Zafar, a daredevil from Hira Mandi, unleashing deep-buried truths, secrets of betrayal and affairs that threaten to bring the both worlds crashing down.
Language
Hindi
Description
Pinjar is a saga of human strength during trying times and a metaphorical representation of the partition of India and Pakistan. It is the story of this division as seen and experienced by a young woman, Puro. She is a victim of circumstances, who overcomes the wrath of a hostile community and rewrites her destiny.
Language
Hindi
Description
Bajirao Mastani immortalizes the journey of star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of war. Set in eighteenth century Hindustan, this romantic war drama is a tale of passion, bravery, betrayal and above all, love. Mounted with lavish sets, elaborate costumes and soulful music, it is one of the most expensive films ever made in India.
Language
Hindi
Description
Set against the historical backdrop of the "Quit India Movement" during India's struggle for independence, this romantic story portrays the martyrdom of freedom fighters and the sacrifices that common folk as well as the elite were willing to make in the national cause. The turbulence of August 1942 was remarkable for the violence meted out by the British to curb the momentum the independence movement had gained.
6) Jodhaa Akbar
Language
Hindi
Description
An epic telling of the sixteenth century politically expedient marriage between the Mogul emperor, Akbar, and the Rajput princess, Jodhaa, which became a journey of true love.
Language
Hindi
Description
This is the story about the youth of India today. A young British filmmaker comes upon the diaries of her grandfather, who served in the British police force in India during the freedom struggle. She plans to shoot a film based on the diaries and casts a group of friends to play the roles of the revolutionaries described in the diaries. The friends cannot identify with the characters and would rather enjoy today's life than get involved in a project...
Language
Hindi
Description
"The world knows about Mahatma Gandhi's role in the Indian freedom movement and as a social reformer. But there are large gaps in our knowledge of Gandhi as a person and a family man, particularly the tumultuous relationship with Harilal, his eldest son. Set against one of politically most trublent times in India, the film tells an intensely personal story of a father struggling to resolve the destinies of his country and that of his son. Not to...
11) Mahabharat
Language
Hindi
Description
"What Homer's Iliad is to Greek civilization and the great classics of yore are to different nations of the world, the Mahabharat is to India. Written by Rishi Ved Vyas, the ancient philosopher-thinker who was known to be the fountain of all human knowledge. The Mahabharat has been translated in many languages and even presented in ballet form in western and oriental countries. But the Mahabharat is not an abstruse philosophical or religious tract....
Language
Hindi
Description
This is the story about the youth of India today. A young London based film-maker comes upon the diaries of her grandfather, who served in the British police force in India during the freedom struggle. She plans to shoot a film based on the diaries and casts a group of friends to play the roles of the revolutionaries described in the diaries. The friends cannot identify with the characters and would rather enjoy today's life than get involved in a...
16) Partition :1947
Language
Hindi
Description
It's 1947 and British colonial rule in India is coming to an end. Lord Mountbatten moves with his wife Edwina and daughter for six months into the Viceroy's House in Delhi. As the last viceroy it's his task to oversee the country's transition to independence. Soon, violence erupts between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, which also affects the 500 staff working at the viceroy's palace. The love between Jeet, a young Hindu servant, and Aalia, a Muslim woman...
18) Bahasa meṃ strī
Author
Language
Hindi
Description
Extended version of lecture delivered by the author on contribution of women in Hindu scriptures held at Vatsal Nidhi Nyas, Delhi on 7 March 2011 under the Hirananda Sastri memorial lectures.
Language
Hindi
Description
Story is set during the British rule over India. The farmers of India are taxed to the bone by the British. When Jack Russell announces that he will double the Lagaan (tax) from all villagers, they decide to oppose it. Leading the villagers is a young man named Bhuvan, who challenges the British to a game of cricket. The game pits veteran British cricket players against villagers, including Bhuvan, who have never played the game before, and do not...