Eras

Prehistoric

Ancient

Medieval

Modern

People

From History

Cultural Icons

Women In history

Explorers

Writers

Rulers

Freedom fighters

Quirky History

Places

Regions

Cities

Geology and Natural History

Monuments

Religious Places

Forts

Palaces

Caves

Heritage Sites

Archaeological Sites

Living Culture

Handcrafted For You

Food History

Festivals

Arts of India

Weaves of India

Literature 

Folklore and Mythology

Art History

Sculptures

Jewels

Paintings

Coins

Artefacts

Heritage Matters

State of our Monuments

Conservation

Revival 

Antique Collection India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history?Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! Historical Collections Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. Antique Pieces Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! Antique Collection Online Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection?For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree?At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons:Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space.Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world.Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces.Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision.Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism.Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family.Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests.Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate.In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

<h1>Antique Collection</h1>
India, a country with rich history and traditions, which is evident not only in its buildings and books, but also in its architecture, culture, lifestyle, food and what not! But did you know that you can own a piece of its rich history? Yes! It is possible! Thanks to Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection that would not only be making you discover the treasures of India’s rich heritage, but also would make you experience the splendour of India’s rich antiquity. Handcrafted by the finest Indian artisans, our Antique Collection is the reminiscent of the rich past which has been kept alive by them. Right from the Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl to Indian National Flag, our Antique Collection bears witness to the historical phases India has underwent. Our Antique Collection makes you unearth the past in the pursuit of embracing beauty. So what are you waiting for? Explore Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection today! 
<h2>Historical Collections</h2>
Now Discover the Treasures of India’s with the Historical Collections of Peepul Tree. Our Historical Collections enable you to unveil the majesty of Indian Antiques. Handcrafted, eco-friendly and sustainable, our Historical Collections make the patron step into the Timeless World of Indian Antiques. Varying not only in their source materials and the products, our Historical Collections offer you a wide range of historical phases, that India underwent. Visit Peepul Tree to get the finest of its Historical Collections. 
<h2>Antique Pieces</h2>
Those were the rare days, when owning Antique Pieces were mostly far from reality. But did you know that you can now actually own Antique Pieces in just one Click? At Peepul Tree, you can now own Antique Pieces ranging from different regions of India, source materials, that belong to different historical eras too! Be it the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea Map from the Ancient Era to the Preamble of the Indian Constituion of the Modern Era, Peepul Tree offers you the finest of the exquisite Antique Pieces that would make you own a piece of India’s rich history! 
<h2>Antique Collection Online</h2>
Now give a new dimension to your shopping of Antique pieces. Visit Peepul Tree and explore its Antique Collection Online. With our Antique Collection Online, you can journey through centuries, through which you not only embrace elegance of Indian Antiques, but also elevate your home decor too. The products offered by Peepul Tree’s Antique Collection Online enable you to discover the soul of India, making you embark on an antique adventure, also preserving History, and celebrating Culture. So what are you waiting for? Explore the best of Antique Collection Online only at Peepul Tree! F.A.Q.’s 1. What are the care instructions taken for Peepul Tree’s Antique collection? For metallic objects under Peepul Tree’s Antique collection , for maintaining the sheen, clean regularly with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from moisture and abrasive cleaning agents. These handcrafted products that may have sharp edges. For silver objects, rub with coconut oil if heavily tarnished. 2. Why Should I purchase Antique products from Peepul Tree? At Peepul Tree, one discovers the allure of owning antique products - a captivating journey through time and history awaits you. When considering the purchase of these cherished relics on our website, one is immediately drawn to the following compelling reasons: Timeless Beauty: Pur antique products boast an unparalleled beauty that transcends the ever-changing trends of modern times. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these pieces exude a sense of elegance, sophistication, and charm, making them stand out as unique additions to any space. Rich Heritage: Each antique product carries a fascinating story, a window into the past that connects us to the generations that came before us. Owning such items allows us to become custodians of history, preserving and cherishing the cultural heritage that shaped our world. Unmatched Craftsmanship: In an age when mass production reigns supreme, antique products represent a tribute to the skilled craftsmanship of yesteryears. These items were meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans who poured their hearts and souls into creating enduring masterpieces. Investment Value: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Peepul Tree’s antique products are true valuable investments. As time passes, rare and sought-after pieces often appreciate in value, making them not only a source of joy but also a smart financial decision. Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing antique products is an eco-conscious decision. By purchasing items that have stood the test of time, we reduce the demand for new manufacturing, thus minimizing the environmental impact of consumerism. Unique Character: Unlike mass-produced contemporary items, antique products possess a distinct character and soul. The slight imperfections and patina they acquire over time add to their allure, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. Emotional Connection: Owning an antique product can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a sense of wonder. These items often carry sentimental value, having been passed down through generations or acquired during significant moments in history. Conversation Starters: Antique products are excellent conversation starters. Their history and provenance can spark engaging discussions, encouraging the sharing of stories and knowledge among friends and family. Curating a Personal Collection: Collecting antique products can become a fulfilling and passionate hobby. As you acquire pieces from Peepul Tree that resonate with you, you begin to curate a personal collection that reflects your taste, values, and interests. Support for Heritage Preservation: By purchasing antiques from Peepul Tree, you contribute to the preservation and conservation of historical artifacts. Supporting antique dealers, collectors, and museums helps ensure that these treasures remain accessible for future generations to appreciate. In conclusion, purchasing antique products from Peepul Tree is not merely a transaction; it is an enriching experience that connects us to our past, enriches our present, and leaves a lasting legacy for the future. Embrace the allure of antiquity and embark on a captivating journey through time with these treasured pieces.

Dhokra Metal Handmade Owl Showpiece

Bastar Handmade Wrought Iron Candle Stand

Dhokra Metal Handmade Harappan Dancing Girl Replica Statue Showpiece

Terracotta Harappan Pashupati Seal Replica with Frame

Bastar Handmade Iron Tribal Forest Tealight Holder Showpiece

Terracotta Harappan Bull Seal Replica with Frame

Bastar Handcrafted Tribal Art Candle Stand

Terracotta Harappan Peepul Tree Seal Replica with Frame

Dhokra Bankura Horse Figurine Showpiece

Dhokra Metal Handmade Ganesha Showpiece

The History Shop

Blue Sparkle Handmade Mud Art Wall Hanging

Rust Coloured Handwoven Cushion Cover

Mustard & Black Handwoven Tribe Inspired Table Runner

Desert Oasis Handmade Mud Art Wall Hanging

Hand Embroidered Mirror & Thread-Work Table Runners - Lambani Table Runners in Scarlet

Black & White Handwoven Cotton Table Runner

Red & Black Handwoven Mirror & Thread-Work Table Runner

Lime Green Handcrafted Mirror Work Wall Decor

Blue & White Thread Work Handmade Cotton Cushion Cover

Marble Coaster Set with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Handcrafted Home Decor For You

Peepul Tree Bestseller Collection

Explore the ancient tradition and mythological story of Guliga and Panjurli, revered as daivas or bhutas in Tulunadu, as immortalised in the film Kantara. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Tulunadu through this story.

Guliga and Panjurli - The Divine Deities from Kantara

The Divine Deities from Kantara

‘Ponniyin Selvan’ is a five-volume piece of historical fiction written by Kalki Krishnamurthy in the 1950s. Considered one of the greatest works of modern Tamil literature, the novel is still considered a cult classic. Catch the story here

The Real Story Behind ‘Ponniyin Selvan’

This Ramnavami, embark on a pilgrimage with us as we trace Lord Ram's journey across the Indian Subcontinent. From his birthplace in Ayodhya to the scenic Chitrakoot, where he spent time during his exile, we'll visit the many places associated with Lord Ram's life. Join us as we explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of India and celebrate the auspicious occasion of Ramnavami.

In the Footsteps of Ram 

India’s first Republic Day celebrations were far from the impressive show we see today. And guess what? There was no grand pageant on Rajpath. We bring you some stunning details that marked the day India became a republic

What India’s First Republic Day Celebrations Looked Like

Best of Peepul Tree Stories

Global Template

The Secrets of Ladakh: A Rare Journey

Dholavira: Tracing the Story of the Harappans

South Asian Masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Revisiting India’s First Port City: Lothal

Join us on unforgettable journeys week after week and meet those who are defining the way we look at history

Quarterly

Yearly

The Story of Mohenjo-daro

Explore the Story of India Through Objects

The Caves of Meghalaya

Uncovering the Life and Legacy of Dara Shukoh, the Beloved Mughal Prince

Your Gateway to Exclusive History Content one Story at a Time

Trails

The Making of Jaipur

Lost Cities

Pune before the Peshwas 

Tales of Shahjahanabad

Shola Durga

Lippan White Wall Mirror

Handmade Harappan Dancing Girl Replica in Dhokra Metal

Bastar Handmade Wrought Iron Spiral Tealight Holder

Born from the ashes of the Jana Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party had a slow and diffident start. L K Advani’s Rath Yatra brought it fame, the Ram Janmabhoomi issue gave it a slogan and the Vajpayee era gave it its first great boost. As the party turns 41, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, journalist and author of 

The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right and Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times

 reflects on how the party evolved before and under Narendra Modi, to become the ‘new BJP’.

It’s been seven years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fresh from his de facto anointment as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral mascot for the parliamentary polls, unveiled his vision of a ‘new India’. Capturing the mood of the people, after the difficult years under UPA 2, Modi was quick to cash in on his promise of an India free of corruption, driven by new thinking and innovation.

This was in January 2014. The idea of a ‘new India’ still flits in and out of his speeches, depending on political urgency, but what cannot be denied is that Narendra Modi has succeeded in raising a ‘new BJP’.

The Bharatiya Janata Party was officially founded on 6th April 1980.

Its origins can be traced to a much more distant past, in the early decades of the 20th century, but as it marches past its 41st anniversary, here’s a look back at the BJP and how it got to where it is today.

What stands out for me is the complete confidence with which even the most dissonant of assertions is now made by its leaders. This confidence stems from the (rightful) assessment that the party has, since 2014 especially, transformed India’s political soul and spirit. A peripheral political force for close to a decade after its formation, the BJP was described as a ‘government-in-waiting’, even by former deputy prime minister and party president LK Advani, and as recently as 1991.

The tide turned in 1998, when the BJP- led National Democratic Alliance government under prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee formed the Government and held power for six years, until 2004.

But the story of the BJP is one of the conflicting pathways…moderate or right, and how far right? Under Narendra Modi, these questions seem to have been brushed aside. Today the BJP has emerged as a dominant political force that can impose its political views on the political system on almost every issue.

This stems from Modi’s own belief/conclusion that the sweeping mandate for the BJP in 2014 was in fact an endorsement of the party’s ideological firmness and not merely approval of the accommodative spirit of its earlier leadership. This has led to a deep-seated change in belief and perception within and outside the party.

The emergence of a ‘new BJP’, then, is perhaps the most undeniable political achievement of Narendra Modi’s tenure.

Indira Gandhi’s declaration of Emergency acted as a rallying cry for the opposition of the time. Disparate parties with different ideological leanings came together to fight against the excesses of a totalitarian regime. So it is no wonder that the Janata Party that defeated Indira consisted of a rather uncomfortable alliance.

The party included leaders from the Congress (O), formed after splitting from Indira Gandhi’s Congress (R); the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (the precursor of the BJP); the Bharatiya Lok Dal; and the Congress for Democracy (CFD). Prominent Congress (R) leaders Jagjiwan Ram, H N Bahuguna and Nandini Satpathy defected from the Congress (R) to float the CFD soon after Indira Gandhi lifted the Emergency and called for elections in 1977.

It was an experiment that was bound to fail. One reason for disquiet within the party, for instance, was the heightened frontline action by the Jana Sangha’s ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Balasaheb Deoras, the third supremo of the RSS, assumed charge of that organisation in 1973 and laid particular emphasis on mass contact programmes. The frontal role that the RSS started playing during the Janata Party years alarmed sections of leaders such as those from the Congress (O) and Bharatiya Lok Dal.

Their discomfort however was an instance of double standards – these leaders had collaborated with the RSS during the agitation that led to the imposition of Emergency and thereafter agreed to the Jana Sangh’s merger with the new party. Yet now, in power, they wanted to restrict the role of the RSS. It was a classic instance of wanting to have the cake and eat it too.

The trigger for the final face-off came over the issue of ‘dual membership’. The members of the erstwhile Jana Sangh were also members of the RSS and they retained this membership even after merging with the Janata Party.

Things came to such a head that this became one of the most visible reasons for the collapse of the Janata government and the party.

Though considered a moderate, Vajpayee sailed with the RSS leadership. Nanaji Deshmukh of the erstwhile Jana Sangh, who was a Janata Party general secretary, was the point person coordinating with the RSS. Fighting with their backs to the wall, the former Jana Sangh members eventually quit the Janata Party.

The disquiet over the RSS and its influence over sections of the Janata Party stemmed from the RSS’s controversial past. Even before it was established in 1925, the idea that inspired its founders had run into conflict with the mainstream anti-colonial movement that picked up speed after the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in 1915. From the last decades of the 19th century, when the idea of Indian nationalism began gaining currency, two very clearly different paths to defining the nation and Indian nationhood began to emerge.

The first was a religion-centric path that saw the nation in terms of a people sharing a common culture, with religion being equated with culture. This enabled the defining of Indian as equivalent to Hindu, although it was claimed that this ‘Hindu’ was distinct from the Hindu religion and could include members of other faiths.

This was the stream of political thought from which the idea of Hindutva flowed, culminating in the formation of the RSS in 1925, and of the phalanx of organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and several others, in the decades subsequent to 1925.

The alternative to this approach to defining Indian nationalism was more inclusive and, instead of the individual identities of its people, it laid emphasis on the territorial boundaries of the country, with the land and people residing within, comprising the nation.

The religio-cultural approach to nationalism evolved out of a treatise titled Hindutva: Who Is A Hindu? written from within prison by VD Savarkar, a one-time revolutionary turned nationalist who codified ‘political’ Hinduism. Although he never joined the RSS, in fact, he even worked at cross purposes with it after his release in May 1937, Savarkar was considered a revered figure by the early leaders of the RSS, including its founder KB Hedgewar, even though Savarkar was accused of conspiracy in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case.

Although acquitted, a cloud of suspicion hung over Savarkar’s head because of the findings of a judicial commission appointed by the government in the 1960s. The Modi government has also iconised Savarkar whenever the opportunity has arisen.

Savarkar had argued that organising Hindus was the principal task, and the RSS was solely focussed on this.

As an organisation, it did not participate in the national movement although several of its leaders and workers joined the Civil Disobedience and the Quit India movements in a personal capacity. As a consequence, the RSS leadership remained disdainful of politics in the narrow sense of the word, although it was extremely resentful towards the inclusive politics advocated by leaders of the Indian National Congress, from Gandhi downwards.

Although Nathuram Godse had ceased to be have any formal association with the RSS several years prior to assassinating Gandhi, he remained part of this Hindu nationalistic ecosystem. This resulted in the ban on the RSS in 1948, which was lifted only after the courts ruled that there was no proof of its involvement in any conspiracy. The Congress-led government of the time also directed the RSS to adopt a constitution and made this a precondition for lifting the ban on it, in 1949.

However, even the allegation that it had been associated with a conspiracy to murder Gandhi was damaging enough for the RSS to suffer a plummet in public perception. Over time, this led to the idea that a political party ought to be established that could articulate the worldview of the RSS in the political arena.

In October 1951, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was established, with Syama Prasad Mookerjee as its founding president. He was a former president of the Hindu Mahasabha. And he had been a member of the first national government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, a post that Mookerjee resigned from over differences with the first prime minister.

In order to retain control over the Jana Sangh, the RSS leadership appointed one of its senior functionaries, Deendayal Upadhyaya, as general secretary.

The Jana Sangh did not meet with much electoral success in the early years. In 1967, it was considered impressive when the Jana Sangh won 35 of the 520 seats in the Lok Sabha. Importantly, though, it performed well in several states (state and general elections were held in the same year at the time), enabling it to forge close political associations with other non-Congress parties and join coalition governments in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and several other states.

Although the governments prove unstable, the alliances were rebuilt in the period preceding the imposition of Emergency in June 1975. Indira Gandhi’s government had begun to flounder in 1973. Despite its massive mandate in 1971, and its victory in a war with Pakistan that ended in the liberation of Bangladesh, at home it was facing agitations sparked by allegations of corruption and public discontent with price rise. Students in Gujarat, followed by Bihar, launched protest movements against the twin issues that soon acquired a pan-India character.

The Jana Sangh and the RSS remained at the forefront of the agitation and struggle against Emergency, after it was imposed by Indira Gandhi. Interestingly, this was also the period when Narendra Modi made his quiet entry into the political arena, going a step beyond being just a junior functionary managing the affairs of the RSS regional headquarters in Ahmedabad.

As the opposition rallied and won a moral and electoral victory against Indira Gandhi in 1977, the stage was set for the merger of the Jana Sangh with other non-Congress parties to form the first coalition to come to power in India.

But then came the troubles. Leaders from other Janata Party factions, chiefly members of the erstwhile socialist groups, demanded that the Jana Sangh members break ties with the RSS if they wished to remain part of the Janata Party regime.

Eventually, the Morarji Desai government lost its parliamentary majority after one faction led by Charan Singh walked out to form the government with external support from the Congress. But this government too proved unstable, as Indira Gandhi withdrew support and precipitated the polls. The Janata Party split and soon the Jana Sangh members had no option but to float a new party. The question now was whether the new party would be a replica of the earlier one, or would fashion for itself a new facade.

Because of the high-voltage controversy, the leaders who eventually founded the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 felt they might be stigmatised for their overt association with the RSS. This was the primary reason why the new party’s programme was an amalgam of Gandhianism and socialism, distinct from its Hindu nationalistic or religio-cultural roots.

The founders of the BJP decided that the new party would shed its Jana Sangh legacy. There would be no formal ties with the RSS and the party would position itself as the inheritor of Jayaprakash Narayan’s legacy of fighting corruption in high places as well as promoting democracy and probity and accountability in public life.

The task before the motley lot of leaders who gathered in New Delhi on 6th April 1980 was to construct a new edifice – that of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In the first meeting after its formation, the BJP noted that JP’s “dream was shattered” by the collapse of the Janata Party. However, despite professing its loyalty to JP, the BJP did not sever its umbilical cord with the RSS completely. In fact, a close link with the RSS was justified in the founding resolution adopted on 6th April 1980 in New Delhi when it noted that “when the Janata Party was formed in 1977, no one objected to the ties of the former Jana Sangh members with the RSS”. The new party claimed that criticism was levelled only “when the leadership struggle intensified” within the Janata Party.

On the question of personal links of BJP leaders to the RSS, the official position stated that it welcomed “in its fold all members of any organisation that is engaged in the social and cultural upliftment of the nation and its people”.

Born from the ashes of the Jana Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party had a slow and diffident start. The Vajpayee era gave it its first boost. As the party turns 41, see how it evolved before and under Narendra Modi, to become the ‘new BJP’.