[ 1 ]
A #thread on Col Tod, the famed historian on Rajput history. His work 'Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan' is an important reference for beginners to Rajput history.

In this thread, we look at the background of his anti-Maratha atrocity literature.

#Decolonisation #History

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1799: After a Training course at Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, Tod proceeded to Bengal.

1800, Jan 9: Tod posted as a cadet to the second European Regiment at Kolkata. [ This was the period sometime before the 2nd Anglo-Maratha War (1803-5) ]

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1803-5: Anglo-Maratha War; British victory

1805: Tod assisted the British Resident (diplomat) at Scindia's court.

In the next ~8-9 years, Tod was constantly on the move through Malwa & Rajputana. He gained immense information on its geography, history & politics.

[ 4 ]
1815: Col Tod submitted a map of Central India to Gov-Gen. Hastings. This map became a crucial strategic tool in the British campaigns against the Marathas that had begun in 1814.

[ 5 ]
In 1814–15, the British continued operations against the Marathas. ̣Tod's map, his personal geographical, historical knowledge, and current condition of the Marathas & associated groups ̣proved immediately invaluable.

1)
Continuing the #thread series on the Vedic Devtas of each of the 27 Nakshatras 🕉️🔥

The 7th Nakshatra in zodiac is Punarvasu Nakshatra, spanning 20 deg Gemini/Mithun - 3.20 deg Cancer/Karka Rashi. Its ruling deity is Aditi.

#Jyotish #Vedas #Hinduism #Upanishads #Puranas

2)
In Nirukta 4.22, Yaskacharya has denoted Aditi as unimpaired, free of defects, and mother of Devas.

Atharvaveda 8.9.21 also terms Aditi as mother of 8 children.

3)
Who are these 8 children? Taittiriya Brahmana 1.1.9.1-3 specifies the 8 children of Aditi:- Dhata, Aryama, Mitra, Varuna, Ansh, Bhaga, Indra, and Vivasvan.

Usually, it's regarded that children of Aditi are called Adityas. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 3.9.5 mentions number of...

4)
..Adityas as 12, being the 12 months of a year. Vishnu Purana 2.10 (Book 2, Chap.10) provides names of the 12 Adityas:- Dhata, Aryaman, Mitra, Varun, Indra, Vivasvat, Pushan, Parjanya, Ansh, Bhaga, Tvashtr & Vishnu.

So, between these two lists, it's noticed that Aditya..

5)
..disappears among the list of 12; and Pushan, Parjanya, Tvashtr, and Vishnu get added into the list. A/c to above verse of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 3.9.5, these 12 Adityas are said to take all this with them (Sanskrit root 'ada' = eating)