Latest news with #Rajputs
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First Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Netflix's 'The Royals': Baroda's Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad slams Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's show, calls it 'A Royal Ignore', netizens react
One user said, 'Its wonderful that you shed light on this, it really needed to be said.' read more Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's show The Royals that streamed on Netflix recently received mixed reactions from users and critics. It has now been renewed for season 2. But a recent post on the show by Baroda's Maharani Radhikaraje has gone viral. She didn't mince words and wrote a rather long note that read- 'The Royal Ignore. One would imagine the royals of India, a community abundantly chronicled, photographed, biographed, and today well-positioned in a range of arenas from politics, hospitality, to magazine covers.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Maharani added, 'Would have a better chance of surviving an on-screen portrayal such as the one in The Royals. Alas, that was not to be and such is our fate, since 1947…What began as a post-independence, politically motivated propaganda of stereotypical Rajas soaked in whiskey and profligacy and Ranis in chiffons and pearls continues to define us.' Radhikaraje continued, 'Indian royalty consists of Brahmins, Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs and Muslims, truly representative of its diversity. India has also seen some of their finest statesmen, diplomats, wildlife conservationists, bureaucrats, army officers.' 'educationists, sportsmen, hoteliers and entrepreneurs emerge from royalty and today our palaces, forts and museums are perhaps the last few sentinels of India's undiluted, apolitical patronage and cultural history, all maintained in our personal capacity. Yet after all these decades our own country continues to view us - all 565 families and a few thousand nobility, with an odd mixture of awe, ignorance and distaste,' she noted further. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netizens react Here are some comments that dropped: Very well said, could not have been put better. Its wonderful that you shed light on this, it really needed to be said The shoddy TV show should be called out. But respectfully, despite your eloquence and graciousness, I beg to differ on what the Royal families did for India. They were united only in their self interest, and divided in any common cause.


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Maharana Pratap won battle of Haldighati against Akbar': Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari at Jaipur event
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has said that Mewar king Maharana Pratap won the 16th Century battle of Haldighati against the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar, adding that she was instrumental in the change of plaque in Haldighati to ensure that it 'reflects the truth.' Speaking at a programme in Jaipur organised by Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Sanstha to commemorate the 485th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap on Thursday, Kumari said: 'The plaque at Haldighati stated that Maharana Pratap lost and Akbar won the battle. In 2021, since I was an MP from there (Rajsamand) – and it is an ASI monument – we tried (to get it changed), including in Delhi with the Minister (of State) for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal as the department was under him. The words on the plaque were changed and if you go to Haldighati today, you will read that Maharana Pratap won the battle. I would like to say that that was the biggest achievement of my tenure (as an MP).' आज वीर शिरोमणि महाराणा प्रताप जी की 485वीं जयंती के उपलक्ष में वीर शिरोमणि महाराणा प्रताप संस्था, झोटवाड़ा द्वारा आयोजित कार्यक्रम में सम्मिलित होकर गौरव की अनुभूति हुई। महाराणा प्रताप का जीवन हम सभी के लिए स्वाभिमान, साहस और मातृभूमि के प्रति समर्पण का प्रतीक है। हल्दीघाटी के… — Diya Kumari (@KumariDiya) May 29, 2025 While the comments were made Thursday, they went viral Saturday. She said that since people may not be aware, she decided to share the truth with people from the stage. 'Kyunki log bahut ulti seedhi cheezein bolte hain, sacchai batane ka sabko samay aa chuka hai. Main kum bolti hun, lekin jab bolti hun tab bahut kuch bolti hun (Because people say a lot of wrong things, the time has come to tell the truth to everyone. I speak less, but when I speak, my words mean a lot),' she said. 'We need to think; the true and correct history of Rajasthan should reach people. Not the history written by Mughals. What did the Mughals do? Divide and rule, the same thing which the Britishers did,' she said, adding that the Mughals made Rajputs fight Rajputs, Hindus fight Hindus. She said that it was unfortunate that for a long time, the political parties too pushed the same history. The ASI had changed the said plaques in 2021. In July 2021, then ASI Jodhpur circle superintendent Bipin Chandra Negi had told The Indian Express that: 'The state government had put up these plaques in Chetak Samadhi, Badshahi Bagh, Rakta Talai and Haldighati in 1975 when Indira Gandhi had visited the area. At that time, these weren't centrally protected monuments. These sites were declared as monuments of national importance in 2003 but the plaques didn't have this information. Over time, they became worn out and also had controversies about date and some other information.' He had added that he received submissions from scholars and public representatives for the removal of the plaques. 'Following this, I took cognizance of the matter. The old plaques didn't even contain the name of ASI. The Culture Ministry had also raised the issue with our headquarters,' Negi had said. The plaque at Rakta Talai, which was removed, had said: 'The fight was so deadly that the whole field was strewn with dead bodies. However, circumstances forced the Rajputs to retreat and the struggle ended at mid-day of the 21st June 1576AD.' Kumari's comments came a day after Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade claimed that several inaccuracies have been recorded in Indian history due to the early influence of British historians, including the widely cited story of the marriage of Jodha Bai and Mughal emperor Akbar. Speaking at an event in Udaipur, the governor had said that this story is a lie, instead claiming that 'There was a king named Bharmal and he got the daughter of a maid married to Akbar.'


Hans India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Modern Indian flavours: Laal maas to tandoori
India's culinary tradition, a diverse and deeply rooted mosaic of regional flavors, is undergoing a transformation. As chefs reinterpret classics and diners grow more adventurous, a new language of Indian cuisine is emerging—one that bridges heritage with innovation, memory with technique, and spice with subtlety. From fiery Laal Maas to experimental tandoori creations with avocado mousse or truffle oil, Indian food is no longer confined to the rigid borders of tradition. The evolution of tradition Laal Maas, a quintessential Rajasthani dish, symbolizes the fiery and bold essence of Indian regional cooking. Made with mutton, red chillies, and ghee, it's a dish steeped in history—believed to have originated in royal kitchens to cater to the meat-loving Rajputs. Its aggressive heat and rustic depth once defined it as unapproachable for the untrained palate. But in today's upscale restaurants, Laal Maas is being reinvented: it may arrive slow-cooked for 12 hours, served with saffron-infused millet khichdi or pearl onions caramelized in jaggery. What's changing is not just the presentation or pairing, but the philosophy. Today's Indian chefs are less interested in merely preserving recipes. They are keen on translating tradition into a contemporary experience. The result is not fusion, but evolution. Global techniques, local ingredients This new wave of culinary innovation is built on the backbone of traditional knowledge, but it draws techniques from around the world. Sous-vide goat curry, deconstructed samosas, or tandoori broccoli with parmesan shavings are examples of how Indian cuisine is integrating modern gastronomy. Tandoor: From heat to art The tandoor, once a backyard or dhaba staple, has been reborn in restaurant kitchens as a tool of creative expression. Traditionally used for meats and breads, the tandoor is now applied to fruits, cheeses, and even desserts. Take, for example, tandoori pineapple carpaccio served with smoked yogurt and black salt caramel—a dish that plays with the charred sweetness of the fruit and the creaminess of dairy in unexpected ways. Or tandoori brie stuffed kulchas paired with tomato-thyme chutney. This shift repositions tandoor from a rustic cooking method to a fine-tuned instrument of flavor design. Even vegetarian dishes—long overshadowed in discussions of Indian meat curries—are finding bold new identities through tandoori techniques. Tandoori beetroot, lotus stem, and okra are not just substitutions but stars in their own right, proving that innovation is not about imitation, but reinterpretation. The Diners Have Changed Too This renaissance in Indian cuisine is also consumer-driven. Today's diners, especially the urban, millennial, and Gen Z crowd, are curious and informed. They want food with stories, experiences that resonate, and meals that reflect identity—both individual and cultural. Menus now often come with annotations, listing the origins of ingredients or explaining the historical significance of a dish. This educative approach has fostered a deeper appreciation for regional cuisines that were once underrepresented—such as Naga pork, Goan cafreal, or Himachali dham. Instagram has also played its part—plating is more artistic, colors more vivid, and flavors more layered to appeal to a visual and sensory audience. A Language Beyond Borders As Indian cuisine is redefined, it's also finding new expressions globally. London, New York, Dubai, and Melbourne have seen a rise in restaurants that offer 'New Indian' menus. These are not diasporic comfort-food joints but avant-garde spaces that present Indian food as an evolving artform. Indian chefs are no longer cultural ambassadors—they are innovators shaping global culinary conversations. In essence, Indian cuisine today is not losing its soul. It's speaking a new dialect—rooted in memory, expressed with modernity. From Laal Maas to modern tandoori marvels, from village kitchens to Michelin-starred plates, the journey is not about dilution, but discovery. This new language of Indian food doesn't rewrite the past—it builds upon it, one plate at a time. (Vikas Deep Rathour, culinary Manager The Imperia by Dhaba)


Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Radhikaraje Gaekwad slams ‘The Royals' for ignoring real Indian royal families
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda has strongly criticised the series 'The Royals', calling out its false narrative and the way it sidelines the real struggles of India's royal families. As the show, starring Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, and Sakshi Tanwar, gears up for its second season, Radhikaraje took to Instagram to share her disappointment over how the series glosses over the historical sacrifices made by India's 565 princely states. India, fought a 'bloodless war' According to Radhikaraje, these royal families, who once controlled over 40% of India, fought a 'bloodless war' and gave up their lands, homes, and privileges to help build a united, democratic India. Quoting Sardar Patel, she described the merger as a peaceful revolution that marked an era of uncertainty for the royals, who sacrificed their centuries-old identities for the greater national cause. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Twitter Can't Get Enough of Ishaan and Bhumi's Stellar Performance Yet, the show reduces this rich and complex history to mere entertainment, focusing on glitzy portrayals of royal life in chiffons and pearls, rather than highlighting the profound sacrifices behind the glamour. Radhikaraje didn't hold back in pointing out the lasting impact of the 1971 abolition of the Privy Purse. She wrote, 'We have no privileges or official titles in society, and yet we continue to maintain our name and heritage in our personal capacity, without government funding.' She added that India's royals come from diverse backgrounds — Brahmins, Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs, and Muslims — and many have emerged as leading hoteliers, wildlife conservationists, bureaucrats, army officers, and educationists. 'Our families have been maintaining charitable hospitals, schools, and colleges set up by our forefathers,' she emphasized. Despite lacking official status, these families still hold the affection and respect of their people, often addressed as 'Bapji, Bapu, Daata, or Maa Saheb.' Young Royals Balancing Tradition and Modernity Radhikaraje concluded her post by spotlighting the next generation. 'The young royals are too returning to their roots, armed with degrees from universities around the world. They proudly straddle the two worlds, speak their mother tongue, wear their turbans, but work to make their heritage sustainable, relatable, and accessible.'


Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC rejects plea to form army Gujjar regiment
The Delhi high court on Wednesday took a dim view of a petition demanding the Centre to have an exclusive army regiment for Gujjars, terming such a move as 'divisive'. With the court declaring its intent to dismiss the petition with costs, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea. The petition filed by Rohan Basoya referred to the tradition in the army to have units such as the Jat Regiment, Sikh Regiment, and Gorkha Regiment and demanded the Union government create a similar arrangement for the Gujjar community as well. 'It's absolutely divisive,' said a bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela finding no reason to entertain the petition. 'Which law vests a right to have such a regiment having people of a particular community? Where is that right? There has to be an infringement of the right.' Finding no response forthcoming, the court warned of dismissing the petition with heavy costs. Basoya chose to withdraw the plea. 'Heard the counsel for the petitioner. After arguing at some length, the counsel for the petitioner says that she has instructions from the petitioner to withdraw the writ. Accordingly, the petition is dismissed as withdrawn,' the order said. In his petition, Basoya, an advocate, asserted that the community despite having a rich martial legacy by way of its participation in various wars including 1857 revolt, Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965, 1971, Kargil war (1999) and counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, had not been accorded a dedicated regiment, unlike other communities such as Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs, Gorkhas, and Dogras. 'Despite this rich martial legacy, they (Gujjars) have not been accorded a dedicated regiment, unlike other martial communities such as Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs, Gorkhas, and Dogras,' the petition stated. To be sure, all the examples cited by the petitioner refer to regiments that were formed and christened after communities in the 19th century by the British. The petitioner's argument was that ' the exclusion of Gujjars from the regimental system, violates Articles 14 and 16, contradicts Indian army precedents and denies rightful recognition of their military contributions.'