Bairat is a town in northern Jaipur District of Rajasthan, India. Bairat is located 52 km north of Jaipur, and 66km west of Alwar. Bairat - History. The ancient name of the town was Viratnagar, and its history goes back to the time of the Mahabharata. Viratnagar was the capital of the ancient Indian kingdom (Mahajanapada) of Machcha or Matsya. The kingdom came under the control of the neighboring Chedi kingdom in the 5th century, and was later part of the Mauryan Empire. The ruins of the B ...

Including:

• Bairat - History

Read more here: » Bairat: Encyclopedia - Bairat

"Yona" (also sometimes "Yonaka") is a Pali word used in ancient India to designate ancient Greek people. Its equivalent in Sanskrit is the word "Yavana". "Yona" and "Yavana" are both transliterations of the Greek word for "Ionians" (Homer Iāones, older *Iāwones), who were probably the first Greeks to be known in the East. Yona - Old World usage. This usage was shared by many of the countries east of Greece, from the Mediterranean to India and China: Egyptians used ...

Including:

• Yona - Old World usage
• Yona - Indian references
• Yona - Role in Buddhism
• Yona - Invasion of India
• Yona - Scientific abilities
• Yona - Other references
• Yona - The Yonas and other northwestern invaders in Indian literature
• Yona - Later meanings
• Yona - Contemporary usage
• Yona - Notes
• Yona - External link

Read more here: » Yona: Encyclopedia - Yona

The Ashvakas are very ancient people of north-east Afghanistan. They find mention in the Puranas, Mahabharata and other ancient Sanskrit and Pali literature. Sanskrit term ashva , Iranian aspa and Prakrit assa means horse. The name Ashvaka or Assaka is said to be derived from Sanskrit Ashva or Prakrit Assa and it litterally denotes someone connected with the horses---hence: a horseman, or a cavalryman. The Ashvakas were especially engaged in the occupation of breeding, raising an ...

Including:

• Ashvakas - Geographical location
• Ashvakas - Ashvakas are the Kambojas
• Ashvakas - Buddhist Texts evidence
• Ashvakas - Mahabharata evidence
• Ashvakas - Ashvaka coins and Arthashastra evidence
• Ashvakas - More opinions from scholars
• Ashvakas - Afghan and Ashvakan relationship
• Ashvakas - Kamboja cavalry in ancient wars
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of Haihaya Yadavas
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of king Jarasandha of Magadha
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of Kurus in Mahabharta war
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of Vashishtha against Vishwamitra
• Ashvakas - In the armies of Persians against Greeks
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of Chandra Gupta Maurya
• Ashvakas - Military supporters of king Brihadratha Maurya
• Ashvakas - Yavana and Kamboja cavalry invades Mid India
• Ashvakas - Saka Kamboja Pahlava cavalry invades north-west India
• Ashvakas - Kamboja cavalry in the army of Palas of Bengal
• Ashvakas - Kamboja cavalry in the army of Gurjara-Pratiharas

Read more here: » Ashvakas: Encyclopedia - Ashvakas

Abu Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir (Persian: ابو مظفر محی الدین محمد اورنگزیب عالمگیر) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707), usually known as Aurangzeb, but also sometimes as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. He was and is a very controversial figure in Indian history. Unlike his predecessors, Aurangzeb led a remarkably austere and pious life. Strict adherence to Islam and Sharia (Islamic law)—as he interpreted them—were ...

Including:

• Aurangzeb - Rise to throne
• Aurangzeb - Early life
• Aurangzeb - War of succession
• Aurangzeb - Aurangzeb's Reign
• Aurangzeb - Enforcement of Islamic law
• Aurangzeb - Expansion of the empire
• Aurangzeb - Conversion of non-Muslims
• Aurangzeb - Hindu temple desecration
• Aurangzeb - Impact of Aurangzeb's reign
• Aurangzeb - Hindu rebellion
• Aurangzeb - The Deccan wars and the rise of the Marathas
• Aurangzeb - Defiance of the Sikhs and the rise of the Khalsa
• Aurangzeb - Legacy
• Aurangzeb - Commentary by recent historians
• Aurangzeb - Wolpert
• Aurangzeb - Manas Group UCLA

Read more here: » Aurangzeb: Encyclopedia - Aurangzeb

The Indo-Greeks (or sometimes Greco-Indians) designate a series of Greek kings, who invaded and controlled parts of northwest and northern India from 180 BCE to around 10 CE. They were the successors in India of the Greco-Bactrian dynasty of Greek kings (the Euthydemids) founded by the military governor Diodotus around 250 BCE when he established the independence of his Bactrian territory from the Seleucid Empire. During the two centuries of their rule, the Indo-Greek kings combined the Greek and Indian languages and sym ...

Including:

• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia - Indo-Greek Kingdom

Krishna (IAST kṛṣṇa, the Sanskrit for "the all-attractive one") is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, however, he is seen as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the fountain head of all avatars. Krishna appears in a number of stories in different cultures and traditions. Sometimes these contradict each other, though ther ...

Including:

• Krishna - The name
• Krishna - Texts stories and literature
• Krishna - The story of Krishna
• Krishna - The incarnation
• Krishna - Birth and childhood
• Krishna - Boyhood and youth
• Krishna - Krishna the prince
• Krishna - The Kurukshetra war
• Krishna - The last days
• Krishna - The worship of Krishna
• Krishna - Early references
• Krishna - The Bhakti tradition
• Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd
• Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements
• Krishna - Krishna in Jainism
• Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism
• Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia - Krishna

Amitābha or Amida (阿彌陀佛 Ch. Āmítuó fó (=Amida Buddha), 阿弥陀佛 Kr. Amita Bul (Amida Buddha), 阿弥陀如来 Jp. Amida Nyorai (=Amida Tathagata), the Buddha of Limitless Light (無量光佛), also Amitāyus, the Buddha of Limitless Life (無量壽佛), is the primary Buddha of the Pure Land school of Buddhism which developed and spread in China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan and has grown to become the largest sect in Buddhism. Amitābha is believed to be a Buddha who possesses infinite ...

Including:

• Amitabha - Doctrine
• Amitabha - Iconography
• Amitabha - Mantras
• Amitabha - Origins

Read more here: » Amitabha: Encyclopedia - Amitabha

Gokula or Gokul Singh was a Jat chieftain of village Sinsini near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, India. His father's name was Madu. Madu had four sons namely, Sindhuraj, Ola, Jhaman and Saman. The second son Ola later became famous as Gokula. More details about the birth of Gokula are not available. Gokula - Left Sinsini. In year 1650-51 Madu and his uncle Singha had fight with Mirza Raja Jaysingh in which Sindhuraj died and second son of Madu Ola became the successor. After this war Singha along ...

Including:

• Gokula - The early life
• Gokula - Left Sinsini
• Gokula - Rise of Gokula
• Gokula - The battle of Tilpat
• Gokula - Gokula hacked to death

Read more here: » Gokula: Encyclopedia - Gokula

Mirabai (मीराबाई) (1498-1547) (sometimes also spelled Meera) was a female Hindu mystical poet during the Mughal period of Indian history. Disciple of Guru Ravidas, she composed many prayerful songs called (Bhajans). They are in the bhakti tradition, and most passionately praised Lord Krishna. Mirabai - Life story. She was born in Merta in Rajasthan, and the extant version of her poems are in Hindi. Her father's elder brother Viram Deo who succeeded to the throne ar ...

Including:

• Mirabai - Life story
• Mirabai - Poetry

Read more here: » Mirabai: Encyclopedia - Mirabai

In the Hindu religion, Dhanu, which is generally referred to as Dhanu Yatra, is a festival holiday relating to Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura. This visit was made to witness the ceremony of Bow. This event is observed in a colourful festival at Bargarh. During this festival, which runs from the 16 December until the beginning of January, Bargarh becomes known as Marthura, the Jura river becomes Yamuna and the village Amapalli, (which is situated on the other bank of the river), becomes Gopa. Different acts ...

Read more here: » Dhanu: Encyclopedia - Dhanu

Surasena (or Shourasena) was the kingdom around the modern Brajabhumi. It was the sacred land of Lord Krishna in which he was born, raised, and ruled. It was an ancient Janapada. It has been well mentioned in Mahabharata. Its capital was Mathura which was situated at the bank of the river Yamuna. Now it is a holy place for all Hindus. The main gosthis which ruled the Surasena were Shorasenee, Y ...

Including:

• Surasena - External link

Read more here: » Surasena: Encyclopedia - Surasena

In Hinduism, Kamsa (Kans in modern Hindi) is the half-brother of Devaki, and ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. He is the principal antagonist in the tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana. Kamsa was told in a prophecy that one of Devaki's sons would kill him, so he murdered the first six. The next were Krishna and Balarama, who were saved by moving them to Rohini's womb. Krishna was then raised by two cowherds, Nanda and Yasoda. Kamsa was eventually killed by Krishna.

Xuanzang (Chinese: 玄奘; Hanyu Pinyin: xuán zàng; Wade-Giles: Hsüan-tsang; Cantonese IPA: jyn4dzɔŋ1; Cantonese Jyutping:jyun4zong1) (602-644/664) was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk. Xuanzang was born near Luoyang, Henan in 602 as Chen Yi (陳褘 Ch'en I, yi1). He came from a scholarly family, and had three elder brothers. (Other texts had it that he had two elder brothers and an elder sister). He became famous for his sevente ...

Including:

• Xuanzang - Name
• Xuanzang - Early Life
• Xuanzang - Pilgrimage
• Xuanzang - India
• Xuanzang - Legacy
• Xuanzang - Relics
• Xuanzang - Sources

Read more here: » Xuanzang: Encyclopedia - Xuanzang

Diwālī or Dīpāvali (also transliterated Deepavali; Sanskrit: row of lights) is the Hindu Festival of Lights. For Jains it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. Diwali is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. It is celebrated for 5 consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja which usually corresponds to the month of October or November. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs celebrate Diwali and use the occasion to ...

Including:

• Diwali - Date
• Diwali - Significance in Hinduism
• Diwali - The Five days of Diwali
• Diwali - First day
• Diwali - Second day
• Diwali - Third day actual day of Diwali
• Diwali - Fourth day
• Diwali - Fifth day
• Diwali - Diwali in Sikhism
• Diwali - Diwali in Jainism
• Diwali - Diwali in other parts of the world
• Diwali - Notes

Read more here: » Diwali: Encyclopedia - Diwali

Krishna Janmaashtami, also known as "Krishnaashtami", "Gokulaashtami", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmaashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Krishna Janmaashtami - Date. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu ca ...

Including:

• Krishna Janmaashtami - Date
• Krishna Janmaashtami - Rituals

Read more here: » Krishna Janmaashtami: Encyclopedia - Krishna Janmaashtami

Holi or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is an annual Hindu spring festival. It takes place over two days around late March or early April on a Purnima (or Pooranmashi) Full Moon as per the Hindu calendar. It is also called the festival of color. On the first day, a bonfire is lit at night to signify the burning of Holika. On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people go around until afternoon throwing colors at each other and meet and have fun. A special drink called 'thandai' or bhang (Cannabis sativa) is also consumed sometim ...

Including:

• Holi - Mythology
• Holi - External link

Read more here: » Holi: Encyclopedia - Holi

A Hindu (archaic Hindoo) is an adherent of philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, also known as Sanatan (सनातन) Dharma or Vedic Dharma. It is the predominant religious, philosophical and cultural system of Bharat (India), Nepal and the island of Bali While almost all Indians were known as Hindus to the outside world till the 20th century, many ...

Including:

• Hindu - Origins of the word Hindu
• Hindu - Who is a Hindu?
• Hindu - Hallmarks of Hindu Society
• Hindu - Ethnic and Cultural Fabric
• Hindu - Linguistics of Hinduism
• Hindu - Dietary Habits and Doctrines
• Hindu - Ceremonies Observances and Pilgrimage
• Hindu - Religion for the common Hindu
• Hindu - Hindu people
• Hindu - Hinduism
• Hindu - Other Dharmic religions
• Hindu - Literature
• Hindu - External links

Read more here: » Hindu: Encyclopedia - Hindu

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (also transliterated Caitanya, IAST caitanya mahaprabhu) (Bangla চৈতন্য মহাপ্রভূ) (1486 - 1534), was an ascetic Hindu monk and social reformer in 16th century Bengal, India (present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh). A great proponent of loving devotion for God bhakti yoga, Chaitanya worshiped the Lord in the ...

Including:

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's life
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's tradition
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Cultural legacy

Read more here: » Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Encyclopedia - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Nathdwara is a town in Rajasthan state of western India. It is located on the Banas River in Rajsamand District, 48 km north of Udaipur. This holy town is famous for its temple of Krishna which houses the Shrinathji, a 12th century image (murti) of Krishna. The idol was moved in the 17th century from Govardhana Hill, near Mathura, to protect it from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's campaign against Hindu worship in his empire. The Haveli of Shrinathji (as the temple is called), was once a roy ...

Read more here: » Nathdwara: Encyclopedia - Nathdwara

Brij Bhasha, also called Braj Bhasha, Braj Bhakha, or Daihaati Zabaan (country tongue), is a Central Indo-Aryan language closely related to Hindi. In fact it is usually considered to be a dialect of Hindi, and was the predominant literary dialect before the switch to Khariboli in the 19th century. It is spoken by more than 42,000 people in the nebulously defined region of Braj Bhoomi, which was a political state in the era of the Mahabharata wars. According to ancient Hindu texts such as the Shrimad Bhagavatam, th ...

Read more here: » Brij Bhasha: Encyclopedia - Brij Bhasha

The geographical, cultural and historical context of the rise of Mahayana Buddhism during the 1st century BCE in northwestern India, all point to intense multi-cultural influences: "Key formative influences on the early development of the Mahayana and Pure Land movements, which became so much part of East Asian civilization, are to be sought in Buddhism's earlier encounters along the Silk Road" (Foltz, Religions on the Silk Road). As Mahayana Buddhism emerged, it received "influences from popular Hindu devotional cults (bhakti), Persian and Greco-Roman t ...

See also:

Greco-Buddhism, Greco-Buddhism - Historical outline, Greco-Buddhism - Religious interactions, Greco-Buddhism - Alexander the Great in Bactria and India 331-325, Greco-Buddhism - The Mauryan empire 322–183 BCE, Greco-Buddhism - The Greek presence in Bactria 325 to 125 BCE, Greco-Buddhism - The Indo-Greek kingdom and Buddhism 180 BCE –10 CE, Greco-Buddhism - The Kushan empire 1st–3rd century CE, Greco-Buddhism - Artistic influences, Greco-Buddhism - The anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha, Greco-Buddhism - A Hellenized Buddhist pantheon, Greco-Buddhism - Greco-Buddhism and the rise of the Mahayana, Greco-Buddhism - Conceptual influences, Greco-Buddhism - Gandharan proselytism, Greco-Buddhism - Intellectual influences in Asia, Greco-Buddhism - Greco-Buddhism and the West, Greco-Buddhism - Exchanges, Greco-Buddhism - Religious influences, Greco-Buddhism - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Buddhism - Greco-Buddhism and the rise of the Mahayana

Yamuna is a major river of northern India, with a total length of around 1370 km. It is the largest tributary of the Ganga. Its source is at Yamunotri, in the Uttaranchal Himalaya. It flows through the states of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, before merging with the Ganges at Allahabad. The cities of Delhi, Mathura and Agra lie on its banks. The major tributaries of this river are the Tons, Chambal, Betwa, Si ...

Read more here: » Yamuna: Encyclopedia - Yamuna