Historians' Efficacy.

  As mentioned previously everything that we know about the Ajivikas is through the critique of their philosophy by other traditions and therefore we should be very cautious in judging them. If we were to take Ajivikas philosophy, as others mention it, then we can see that an Ajivika must be nihilistic.   Since Ajivika does not believe in the karmic law, he will seek as much pleasure as he will see no point in living an ascetic life.   Historical records mention that on the contrary, Ajivikas lived a simple ascetic life. This is a clear indication that we do not have a full picture of Ajivikas philosophy. Historical records mention that Ajivikas did have their own scriptures at some time but all of those have now been lost. We will only be able to learn the true nature of their philosophy if by chance we are able to rediscover their scriptures. I think the true nature of Ajivika philosophy can be deciphered from its name, which literally means livelihood. Considering ...

  While we do not know what exactly the Ajivikas believed or practiced, we have indications to believe that they practiced an ancient form of Saivism, and their doctrines had some affinity with the ancient Pasupatha and Kala Mukha sects. The Ajivikas probably wandered as naked monks, like the monks of the Digambara sect of Jainism, begging for alms in the villages and using magic and fortune-telling to attract people and gain their attention. According to the most celebrated teacher of the Ajivika sect, Makkali Gosala, there is no cause or basis for the sin of living beings. Neither is there a cause or basis for the purity of living beings. No deed can affect one’s future births. No human action, strength, courage, and human endurance can affect one’s destiny. All men are without power, strength, or virtue. They are driven by destiny, chance, and nature.  The theory that Ajivikas believed in, was Fatalism. According to this doctrine, the world evolves and moves in a pred...

  Ajivika is one of the nāstika or "heterodox" schools of Indian philosophy. Purportedly founded in the 5th century BCE by Makkhali Gosala, it was a Sramana movement and a major rival of the Vedic religion, early Buddhism, and Jainism. Ajivikas were organized renunciates who formed discrete communities. The precise identity of the Ajivikas is not well known, and it is even unclear if they were a divergent sect of the Buddhists or the Jains. Ajivika is derived from Ajiva which literally means "livelihood, lifelong, mode of life”. The term Ajivika means "those following special rules about Livelihood", sometimes connoting "religious mendicants" in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts. The Ajivikas, 'Followers of the way of Life,' are an ascetic order that started at the time of Buddha and Mahavira and lasted until the fourteenth century. The exact nature of the Ajivika doctrine is unclear because the sect's texts have not survived.   It ...

  The  Baburnama , also known as the  Memoirs of Babur , is a captivating autobiographical account written by  Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur  (1483–1530), the founder of the Mughal Empire and a great-great-great-grandson of Timur, Babur’s life was marked by adventure, struggle, and cultural exploration. Let us delve into the vibrant tapestry of Hindustan as seen through the eyes of the intrepid Babur , the founder of the illustrious Mughal Empire . His memoir, the Baburnama , provides us with a unique lens through which we can explore the rich cultural, geographical, and historical landscape of this land. Hindustan: A Land of Wonders   The Land and Its Beauty Babur’s vivid descriptions transport us to the heart of Hindustan. He marvels at the lush greenery, the meandering rivers, and the majestic mountains. The Ganges , sacred and life-giving, flows through the land, nourishing both soil and soul. Babur’s keen eye captures the changing seasons—the monso...

  On a crisp October morning, a group of students  set out on a field trip to the Ropar Museum, located about 40 km northeast of Chandigarh on the Rupnagar-Chandigarh highway. The museum houses the archaeological remains of the excavated site near Ropar, one of the northernmost Harappan settlements in the Indian subcontinent.   The excavation, conducted from 1952-55 under the direction of Shri YD Sharma of the Archaeological Survey of India, yielded relics of the Early Iron Age culture which was hitherto unknown, as well as the horizons of five other cultures of the historical times, providing an almost complete cultural index for this part of India.   The students were excited to explore the museum and gain a better understanding of India's ancient past. After a quick breakfast halt at Shahi Vaishno Dhaba on the highway, they reached the museum at around 10:40 am. The first thing that caught their attention was the ticketing system, which was all online and ...