Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Father of Surgery:: Susruta



Some of you may have doubt that how was people were treated medically in India? Were there any person called doctor?or the people left as it is if they undergo any disease.. Some of you may think that India is a superstitious country so people were left as they are.Do you think like that?
I agree that superstitions are there, but not lack of resources.We do have medicine, more technologically advanced medicine, which wont leads any side effects as of now.

If you observe the textbooks of the medicine students, what they read about the history of eye related medicine(called ophthalmology) "Georg Bartisch ( GERMANY,16th century) is the father of ophthalmology.He invented Glaucoma in 1750, eye blindness in 1767 and the inability to differentiate colors in 1801.The first course on eye surgery was started in Gottingen university, in 1803. The equipment named ophthalmoscope was invented in 1851. "


सर्वेन्द्रियाणां नयनं प्रधानम् (Eye is the most important part of all senses of a human being.Then, how an eye is treated in India?
Our nation has advanced methods in Surgery of eye.Now i am presenting a great scientist, who did a great contribution to surgery,father of medicine. His name is सुश्रुत(susruta).
Sushruta is the most celebrated physician and surgeon in India. Though he practiced during the 5th century B.C., many of his contributions to medicine and surgery preceded similar discoveries in the Western world. Sushruta devotes a complete volume of his experiences to ophthalmologic diseases. In the Uttar Tantrum, Sushruta enumerates a sophisticated classification of eye diseases complete with signs, symptoms, prognosis, and medical/surgical interventions. In particular, Sushruta describes what may have been the first extracapsular cataract surgery using a sharply pointed instrument with a handle fashioned into a trough. His ability to manage many common eye conditions of the time with limited diagnostic aids is a testament to his virtuosity.

Centuries ago to the development of ophthalmology in western countries, susruta mentioned about शल्य चिकित्सा (surgery) of eye and diseases of eye very well. His book on his research of medicine, named सुश्रुत संहिता (suruta samhita) contains 19 chapters only on eye diseases,in which he demonstrated about structure of eye, the parts of eye , diseases of eye. He also mentioned about a new method called शलाक्य (salaakya) used on eye operations.

He wrote a book name susruta samhita


The interesting thing is that he mentioned his teacher name as निमि विदेह (nimi videha) and he also mentioned his name as आदि भिषक् (first doctor)


NIMI VIDEHA , the first doctor of ophthalmology in India, there are descriptions related to him are presented in Bovar's manuscript if 3rd century and some Boudha books, Ayurveda books by चरक( charaka)
वाग्भट(vaagbhata)
माधव (madhava) also have information related to him.He is the person belonging to the time of DHANVANTARI, BHARADWAJA, KASYAPA etc. He written many books such as
विदेह तन्त्र ( videha tantra),
निमि तन्त्र (nimi tantra)
कंकायन तन्त्र (kamkaayana tantra)
कारल तन्त्र (kaarala tantra)
चक्षु तन्त्र (chakshu tantra)
These books are not available right now, but the concepts are there in many ayurveda books.


->Further Reading:
http://www.cosmeticsurgeonindia.com/india.htm
http://www.hinduyouth.com/dynamic/modules.php?name=freeindiaContent&pa=showpage&pid=403
http://www.shushruta.com/
http://ophthapg.blogspot.com/2008/07/sushrutathe-father-of-surgery.html

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Rare images of the 1857 uprising in India

The Sikander Bagh in Lucknow was the venue for a fierce battle during the 1857 uprising. This picture was taken by Felice Beato, an Italian who visited India soon after the mutiny and, some say, had the bones dug out for the photo. Pictures courtesy: Alkazi Foundation
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Up to 1,000 British troops, their families and loyal sepoys were holed up in Gen Wheeler's entrenchment in Kanpur for three weeks in June 1857 where they were constantly bombarded by a local prince, Nana Sahib's army. Photo: Felice Beato, 1858.


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On 27 June 1857, Europeans who had been promised safe passage from Wheeler's entrenchment arrived at the Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty) to take the boat out when Nana Sahib's army ambushed them and killed many. Photo: Samuel Bourne, early 1865.


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A hand-written caption identifies the man as Gungoo Mehter who was tried at Kanpur for killing many of the Sati Chaura survivors, including many women and children. He was convicted and hanged at Kanpur on 8 September 1859. Photo: John Nicholas Tressider.


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This sketch of Lucknow's Alam Bagh was made by Lt CH Mecham on 25 December 1857 while fierce fighting raged on. In a note at the bottom of the sketch, the artist wishes "my future readers many happy returns of this festive season".
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It was common to hang "rebels" publicly to serve as a warning to avoid future betrayals. It is not known where Felice Beato took this picture in 1858.

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The Mutiny Memorial in Delhi is a monument to British officers. In panels around the base, there is a record of 2,163 officers and men who were killed, wounded or went missing between 8 June and 7 September 1857. It was taken in 1870 by an unknown photographer.

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courtesy : link


Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Trajic tale of Damodar Rao,son of Rani Lakshmi bai



source:[a Marathi book by veteran writer Y.N Kelkar called “Itihasachya Sahali” or “Voyages in History” published in 1959.]

hello every one.. i found a interesting article about DAMODAR RAO, who is the son of Jhansi Lakhmi bai on the web.


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A popular image of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi

The great rebellion leader , jhansi lakshmi bai fought with british people having her son tied on her back. In the battle she lost herself for the nation.After the death of Maharani lakshmi bai, what happened to her son? Britishers captured him? what were the conditions faced by Damodar Rao, (approx. 9 years old) at that time? I found answers to all these questions in one article here.

Sri. Damodar Rao Niwalkar, narrating the conditions faced by him at that time-
I am presenting the content below as it is written in that blog.
The narration goes like this-

“I was born on 15th November 1849 in Jhansi in a collateral branch of the ruling Newalkar dynasty. On my birth, the court astrologers looked at the stars and prophesised that I had a “Raj Yog” or destined to become a king. And how tragically true this prophesy turned out to be!
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Shankargarh fort at Jhansi, where young Anand Rao was adopted by Rani Lakshmibai and named Damodar Rao.
After a young age of three, I was adopted by Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi. An application was sent to the East India Company’s representative in Bundelkand to recognize my adoption, but my adoptive father died soon after before a confirmation could be received. After this, my adoptive mother, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi sent a representation of Lord Dalhousie in Calcutta to recognize me as an heir to the throne but this appeal was rejected. The British East India Company declared that the kingdom of Jhansi would be annexed under the doctrine of lapse and that my mother, Rani Laxmibai would get an annual pension of Rs 5000. In addition Masaheb (Rani Laxmibai) would also inherit all the personal property of my father including the palaces and jewellery. Lord Dalhousie decided that I could inherit these personal assets of my late father but not the kingdom. In addition, there were 7 lakh rupees in the treasury in the name of my late father. When Masaheb requested for the same, she was informed that the British Govt would be hold this money in trust till I reached majority and then, it would be handed over to me.

In 1857, my fate changed for worse. My mother never forgave the British for the annexation of our kingdom and she raised a banner of revolt along with the entire the populace of Jhansi. Unfortunately, we lost Jhansi due to treachery and had to flee to Gwalior. In the battle in Gwalior, Masaheb became a martyr. My attendants would tell be that she carried me on her back on the battlefield. I was too young to remember this. After Masaheb’s death, I remained in Gwalior for the next 3 days. Of Masaheb’s confidants, only 60 had survived the battle. Nanekhan Risaldar, a Maratha named Ganpatrao , Raghunath singh and Ramchadrarao Deshmukh took me under their guardianship and with 22 horses and 60 camels, we broke away from the camp of Raosaheb, brother of Peshwa Nanasaheb of Bithur and decided to find our own way out. We fled along the inhospitable terrain, jungles and ravines and fled towards the direction of Chanderi in Bundelkhand. No village on the way was willing to take pity and help us due to the fear of reprisals by the British.

Since a refuge in any of the villages was virtually impossible, we took shelter in a dense forest by edge of the river. Due to lack of any camping equipment, we had to sleep under the open skies. During the scorching heart of the summer, we would have sleep inside the deep forest amidst the trees. Our skin would burn due to the heat. We had no food and hence had to survive on fruits and berries found in the forest. Fortunately, Mother Nature took pity on us and we never slept hungry in the forest. We were afraid of going to nearby villages for help as there were British soldiers roving everywhere hunting for the rebels. Only in extreme emergencies would our men venture out, with life in their hands and get required provisions from local villages. This went on till the end of summer.

As monsoon began, things went from bad to worse. All forest paths would be flooded making it impossible for us to move. Remembering those terrible days sends shiver down my spine. Fortunately god finally took pity on us. A local village headman informed us that as the British has set up a camp at Lalitpur, he could not help us directly but if we moved to a secret location in the forest as suggested by him, he would provide us with provisions over there. On advice of Naik Raghunath singh, we broke our camp and started living at different locations in small groups of 10 to avoid any suspicion. We reached an agreement with that local village headman that we would give him Rs.500 every month plus 9 horses and 4 camels and in return, he would supply us with required provisions and keep us informed about British movements. At this time, we were around 11 people.
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Betwa river, also known as “Vetravati” on whose banks, young Damodar Rao and his followers took refuge in the deep forest.
As agreed, we went to live in a cave by a steep cliff. Below the cliff was the Vetravati river. There was a temple of Mahadev nearby too. River Vetravati ran with a great force and there was a large and lovely waterfall. Around us, there were several lakes and ponds. The sheer pristine beauty of the place made us forget some of our sorrows.

In this way, we spent as two whole years as wanderers and fugitives. During these years, I was unwell the whole time. In the month of Bhadrapad, my conditioned worsened. My retainers were worried if I would even survive the ordeal. They begged the village headman to send someone to treat me. Even the village headman was shocked to see my pitiable and delicate state. He soon got a local doctor or a “vaid” who happened to be his uncle to treat me in secrecy.

As I recovered from my illness, another problem arose. While fleeing Gwalior, we had around Rs. 60,000 with us which by now had been fully exhausted. Now, with no money to pay, the headman rudely asked us to leave and we had no choice but to comply. We gave the headman Rs.200 and asked for the return of our horses. That charlatan returned only 3 horses and informed us that others had died! We left as a group of 12 however, on our way further, we were joined by another batch of followers that had left earlier and soon became 24.

We soon reached the village of Shipri-Kolaras in the Gwalior state. The locals there recognized us as rebels and put us all under arrest. We were in local jail for 3 days. Then under and escort of 10 horsemen and 25 sepoys, we were sent to the Political Agent at Jhalrapatan. As our horses had been confiscated, we had to walk for days. My men could not bear to see my plight and carried me on their back by turns. Most of my mother’s men who had survived had taken asylum in Jhalrapatan. There was a Political agency nearby managed by a Poltical Agent named Mr. Flink. One of my mother’s risaldar named Nanhekhan was working at this political agency. He was a trusted aide of Mt Flink. He went to Mr Flink and said “ Late Ranisaheb of Jhansi had a son who is now just 9-10 year old. After she died in the battlefield, that little child had to live in the forest like an animal. His trusted followers have looked after him with care. What is the fault of this innocent child? What has he ever done against the British Raj? Please spare that child and entire Hindustan shall shower blessings on you”.
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The spectacular Gagron Fort at Jhalawar, whose kind ruler, Raja Prithvi Singh gave great help to young Damodar Rao.
Mr Flink was a kind man. He sent a message to the Political Agent at Indore, Col Sir Richard Shakespeare, to which Colonel replied “If Rani of Jhansi’s son surrenders willingly, I shall see that his affairs are settled”. Mr Flink asked Nanhekhan to take me to Indore. On the way we met Raja Prithvisinh of Jhalrapatan. He had great respect for masaheb and he treated me very well promised that he would put in a good word for me with the resident at Ajmer. We were kept in prison near Jhalrapatan for around 3 months. We had no money till then and so I was forced to sell the two bracelets or “todas” of 32 tolas each which belonged to late Masaheb. There were the last remaining memories of her with me. And now they were lost. On 5th May 1860, we reached Indore cantonment. There I met the politicial agent, Sir Richard Shakespeare. I was placed under guardianship of a Kashmiri official called Munshi Dharmanarayan. I was allowed to keep only 7 followers and all others had to leave. I was allotted an annual pension of Rs. 10,000, which I had no option but to take as I was only a child then.”

This is where the memoir ends. Not much is known of what happened to Damodar Rao in his later life. What is known is that the British Govt refused to hand over to him the 7 lakh rupees which it held in ”trust” for him and had refused to hand it over to Rani Lakshmibai. Damodar Rao lived the rest of his days in penury begging the British govt to restore to him some of his rights without avail. He married and settled down in Indore. In 1904, he had a son named Lakshman Rao. The sad and tragic life of Damodar Rao ended on 28th May 1906. He was 58 years old. His descendants still live in Indore. They use the name “Jhansiwale” after the land of their forebears. Damodar Rao, son of brave Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi lives on as a small footnote in history of India and in popular imagination as a little boy tied to a fearless heroine’s back.

Another information about damodar rao is :
Anand Rao was the real name of Damodar and he was 5 at the time of adoption and was renamed Damodar Gangadhar Rao on 19 November 1853 while the Maharaja died on 21 November 1853. This means he was born sometime in 1848.

After the death of LakshmiBai , Ram Chandra Rao Deshmukh and Kashi Bai , two close confidants of the late queen looked after Damodar Rao who was a 9 years old child.
After wandering here and there in hiding for long , they reached Agra with the help of Nanhe Khan ( an old aide of Rani )and came in contact with a british officer Pleak or Flick. Pleak was an admirer of the late queen and he , through Col.Shakespeare, the political agent of Indore, got Ram Chandra, Kashi and Damodar Rao pardoned and as a consequence of the efforts of these two gentlemen the Governal General allowed to give an annual pension of Rupees 1800 to Damodar Rao.Col Shakespeare too proved to be very kind. He appointed a Munshi Dharam Narayan at his bungalow to teach Damodar Urdu, English & Marathi.

After settling at Indore and reaching majority ,Damodar Rao's Aunt - who was the wife of Damodar' natural father, got him married at Indore. His first wife died shortly and he was married again in Shivre Family.

In 1904 , Damodar became father of a son who was named Lakshman Rao and after that his descendents lived in Indore.

On 28 May 1906, the luckless Damodar breathed his last at the age of fifty-eight at Indore while amongst the attendents of Rani Lakshmi Basi ,Deshmukh passed awy in 1885 and Ramchandra Rao in 1888. ( In your article it shows 1900 as his year of death)

Damodar's son Lakshman Rao died in 1959 and the Govt of UP had presented him a Sanad and a monetary award to him on 10 may 1957 in commemoration of his grand mothers contribution after 100 years of 1857.

Friday, 7 October 2011

The worlds largest shiva temple is being damaged

imageThere is a shiva temple in the border of Thai- Cambodia. This temple belongs to 11th century and was built by Surya varma I and surya varma II.
It was well developed in terms of design and the god shiva is in the form of nataraja. In the war which is there about the border issue between
Thai and Cambodia , this very rare and valuable temple was partially damaged. It contains 4 GOPURAS, in 100 acres. The temples of BRAHMA, VISHNU, KRISHNA are there in this temple and it contains old sanskrit scripts in the walls.This temple is called as Preah Vihear temple Cambodia, but its also called as BHADRESWdARA temple.
It can be called as the biggest shiva temple in the world

The war between two countries made the temple to be damaged . The director of world hindu statesmen, Sri. Rajan zed,also the president of Universal society of hinduism, made an appeal to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), to save the temple from the clash of Thai and Cambodia.He said that UNESCO should announce this temple as worlds heritage and appropriate actions should be taken for the temples protection.



further reading :
link 1

link 2