Varanasi - Modern History

Modern History

The two sects in Hinduism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism continued to co-exist in harmony and Varanasi was also chosen by Mrs. Annie Besant as the centre for her Theosophical Society . At the beginning of the twentieth century, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya instituted Benares Hindu University, the biggest university in Asia. After India s independence in 1947, Varanasi became part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. It continued to be a leader in the promotion of Hindi language and classical music, producing novelist Prem Chand, and music maestro Ravi Shankar.

Recent History

In recent times, centuries of countless pilgrims, festivals and funerals have taken a toll on the waters of the Ganga. Its high levels of pollution, especially in the city of Varanasi, have been cause for concern. The Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1986 by the Government of India but has not achieved much success in spite of an expenditure of over five billion rupees. Of late, Varanasi has also been prey to terror attacks as communal tensions continue to be ignited by religious fundamentalist parties.

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Varanasi - Pre-20th Century History

Pre-20th Century History

Hindu mythology celebrates Varanasi as the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. One of the earliest descriptions of Varanasi is found in the Buddhist scriptures and in the epic, Mahabharata. The city was considered to be the ancient centre of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. However, the origins of Varanasi are unknown and although devout Hindus believe it to be the oldest city on earth, archaeological evidence only goes as far back as the Iron Age, or the 8th century BC. Ayurveda is said to have originated here while Buddha is believed to have visited the city in 500 BC and delivered his first sermon on its outskirts, after attaining enlightenment at Sarnath. The city is also a major pilgrimage site for Jains as it is the birthplace of three Tirthankaras (disciples of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism). a??Situated on an important trade route, it is believed to have flourished in the 7th century BC. Varanasi drew many learned men from around the world and even the celebrated Chinese traveller Hs??an Tsang, is believed to have visited here. Later, the holy city was the centre of the 15th century revivalist Hindu Bhakti (devotional) movement under saints like Ramananda and Kabir. The poet-saint Tulsidas also lived here, and translated the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Hindi. After 1194 AD, Varanasi was continually raided for three centuries by Muslim rulers from Mahmud of Ghazni to Ghauri to the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji and most of all, by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. As a result, many ancient temples and structures were destroyed. In the 16th century, however, Varanasi received some respite under Akbar s tolerant rule. The 18th century restored Varanasi’s lost glory. It became an independent kingdom, with Ramnagar as its capital, when the British declared it a new Indian state in 1910. The city was christened ‘Benares’ by the British.

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Varanasi Orientation

Situated in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is at a distance of 125 km from Allahabad, 710 km from Delhi and 680 km from Kolkata. Along the west bank of the Ganga and at the heart of the city between the Dasaswamedh Ghat and Godaulia to the south and west and Manikarnika Ghat to the north, is a winding collection of narrow alleys called the Old City or Vishwanatha Khanda. The town stretches from Raj Ghat, near the bridge, to Asi Ghat. South of the Old City are the Durga temple and the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum at the University.

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Varanasi

Varanasi. Kashi. Benares. The City of Light. The Eternal City. The holiest of the holy cities of Hindu India, Varanasi is a d??j? vu of a myriad India snapshots discovered in coffee-table books. It is a vision of crowded ghats and throngs of pilgrims seeking salvation as they are bathed in the waters of the holy Ganga and the saffron glow of the city’s sunlight. Considered the oldest city in the world, Varanasi is a medley of sights and sounds, of sadhus and Vedic chants, of festivals and celebration amid funeral pyres and death. Witness to centuries of religious activity, culture and learning, the city carries on its tradition of classical music with the Dhrupad Mela, and its respect for learning with the Banaras Hindu University. Unfortunately, as the crowds wash away their sins, the Ganga gets more and more polluted and as pilgrims attempt to cleanse their souls, the narrow lanes of modern Varanasi get progressively unclean. However, nothing seems to faze the city’s religious fervour and hopeful Hindus and curious tourists continue to flock its teeming ghats, redeeming their souls with earthen lamps and flickering lights that float down the holy Ganga in the darkness of the night.

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In 2002, Australia won two gold medals. Steven Bra

In 2002, Australia won two gold medals. Steven Bradbury, a member of the bronze-winning 1994 relay team, won gold in short track speed skating when all of his competitors in the 1000 metres final fell over. Jacqui Cooper was previously the favourite to win a medal for Australia in aerials, but injured herself in training. Alisa Camplin, who hadn’t won a world cup event before and was so nervous she didn’t eat dinner the night before the final,^[3] won the women’s aerial skiing.

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In 2006, Australia sent 40 athletes to compete in

In 2006, Australia sent 40 athletes to compete in 10 sports, a record number of competitors and events. For the first time, Australia set a goal of winning a medal.^[4] Aerial skiing medal hope Lydia Ierodiaconou injured herself when she landed badly in the second qualification jump, while Jacqui Cooper, who was first in the qualification round, crashed in both of her finals jumps. Alisa Camplin won bronze, her second Olympic medal. Mogul favourite^[5] Dale Begg-Smith won gold in moguls skiing. Torah Bright was rated as a medal chance in snowboarding half-pipe,^[5] and came fifth. Damon Hayler, who was rated as a medal chance in snowboard cross,^[6] came seventh in his event. Michelle Steele, who less than two years ago was a beach flag sprinter, was seen as a medal possibility in skeleton,^[7] but inexperience with the intimidating and technical track^[8] contributed to her coming 13th. As only 8 teams compete in men’s short track speed skating relay, Australia had a good chance of getting a medal in the event,^[9] but they did not make it into the A final.

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Australia’s short track relay team went into the 1

Australia’s short track relay team went into the 1992 Olympics as world champions, but the team crashed in the semi-finals.^[2] Australia won its first Paralympic medals in 1992: a gold, a silver and two bronze. In 1994, Australia’s short track relay team won Australia’s first Winter Olympic medal, a bronze, having stuck to their finals plan of staying on their feet, remaining undisqualified and beating at least one of the other three finalists.^[1] Zali Steggall won the first individual medal in 1998 with a bronze in slalom skiing.

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Australia sent 31 athletes in 1960, its largest te

Australia sent 31 athletes in 1960, its largest team prior to the 2006 Winter Olympics, its size boosted by an outclassed ice hockey team. Hal Nerdal competed in Nordic combined, the only time Australia has ever participated in the event at the Olympics. In contrast to the large 1960 team, the teams in subsequent Olympics were the smallest since 1936, with only 3 competitors sent in 1968. The 1964 Winter Olympics were marred by the deaths of Australian skier Ross Milne and a British luge competitor. Motivated in part by wanting to prove that Australians can compete with the best (some people attributed Ross’s death to inexperience), his brother Malcolm Milne represented Australia at the next two Winter Olympics, won a World Cup event and came third in a World Championship

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Speed skater Colin Coates competed from 1968 to 19

Speed skater Colin Coates competed from 1968 to 1988, coming sixth in 1976 with the 10000 metres event, Australia’s best result prior to Lillehammer in 1994. Although a competitor on paper in 1988, Colin was supposed to only be a coach and was forbidden to compete, but when it was time for his event, he put on a uniform and skated his best time ever.^[1] The Winter Paralympics started in 1976, and Australia has attended every Winter Paralympics.

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Australia first competed at the Winter Olympics in

Australia first competed at the Winter Olympics in 1936, when its sole representative, Kenneth Kennedy, competed in speed skating. Australia did not send a team to the 1948 Winter Olympics, but has competed at every Winter Olympics since, sending nine athletes to the 1952 Olympics. At the 1956 Winter Olympics, Colin Hickey, a "rink rat" who was overlooked for ice hockey when he was young because of his small frame,^[1] came seventh in the 500 and 1000 metres speed skating.

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