19 February - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj born in 1630

 

 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the first ruler of the Maratha Empire, was born.

Shivaji Bhonsale I (19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur which formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned the Chhatrapati of his realm at Raigad Fort.

Over the course of his life, Shivaji engaged in both alliances and hostilities with the Mughal Empire, the Sultanate of Golkonda, Sultanate of Bijapur and the European colonial powers. Shivaji's military forces expanded the Maratha sphere of influence, capturing and building forts, and forming a Maratha navy. Shivaji established a competent and progressive civil rule with well-structured administrative organisations. He revived ancient Hindu political traditions, court conventions and promoted the usage of the Marathi and Sanskrit languages, replacing Persian in court and administration.

Shivaji's legacy was to vary by observer and time, but nearly two centuries after his death, he began to take on increased importance with the emergence of the Indian independence movement, as many Indian nationalists elevated him as a proto-nationalist and hero of the Hindus

18 February - India Home Rule Society

 

 

On this day in 1905, an Indian organisation, the Indian Home Rule Society IHRS was founded in London which sought to promote the cause of self-rule in British India.

The organisation was founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma, with support from a number of prominent Indian nationalists in Britain at the time including Bhikaji Cama, Dadabhai Naoroji and Sardarsinhji Ravaji S. R. Rana. It was intended to be a rival organisation to the British Committee of the Indian National Congress that was the main avenue of the loyalist opinion at the time.

The  Indian Home Rule Society was a metropolitan organisation modelled after Victorian public institutions of the time. It had a written constitution and the stated aims to secure Home Rule for India and to carry on a genuine Indian propaganda in this country by all practicable means.

The IHRS was open for membership to Indians only and found significant support amongst Indian students and other Indian populations in Britain. It recruited young Indian activists and maintained close contact with revolutionary movements in India.

16 February - First Barbary War -night of 16 February 1804

 

The First Barbary War (1801–1805), also known as the Tripolitan War and the Barbary Coast War, was a conflict during the Barbary Wars, in which the United States and Sweden fought against Tripolitania. Tripolitania had declared war against Sweden and the United States over disputes regarding tributary payments made by both states in exchange for a cessation of Tripolitatian commerce raiding at sea. United States President Thomas Jefferson refused to pay this tribute. Sweden had been at war with the Tripolitans since 1800.

On the night of 16 February 1804, Captain Stephen Decatur led a small detachment of United States Marines aboard the captured Tripolitan ketch rechristened USS Intrepid, thus deceiving the guards on Philadelphia to float close enough to board her. Decatur's men stormed the ship and overpowered the Tripolitan sailors. With fire support from the American warships, the Marines set fire to Philadelphia, denying her use by the enemy.

16 February - Dadasaheb Phalke death anniversary

 

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke (30 April 1870 – 16 February 1944), was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, known as "the Father of Indian cinema".His debut film, Raja Harishchandra, was the first Indian movie released in 1913, and is now known as India's first full-length feature film. He made 95 feature-length films and 27 short films in his career, spanning 19 years, until 1937, including his most noted works: Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918) and Kaliya Mardan (1919).

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, awarded for lifetime contribution to cinema by the Government of India, is named in his honour.

15 February - Death anniversary of Samarth Ramdas (Ramdas Navami)

 

Ramdas Navami is the death anniversary of Samarth Ramdas. Ramdas Navami 2023 date is February 15. Sri Ramdas, popular known as Samarth Ramdas, was a Marathi saint and poet of the 17th century. Samarth Ramdas dropped his physical body and merged with the Supreme Soul on the Navami day of Krishna Paksha (9th day of waning phase of moon) in the Magh month (January – February) as per traditional Marathi Calendar.

Samarth Ramdas was an ardent devotee of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman and he turned to spirituality at a very young age. He is believed to have greatly influenced Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Sri Ramdas was a gifted poet and his short poems contain universal truth and are pregnant with meaning.

Sri Ramdas inspired and motivated his generation to rise against the foreign oppressors and also stimulated the thoughts of self realization.

His life, writings and poems continues to inspire Marathis and all those who had the opportunity to read his immortal literary works.

Manache Shlok is a popular literary work credited to Samarth Ramdas.

15 February - Canada Maple Leaf inaugurated in a public ceremony

 

The new maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. Thousands of Canadians gathered as the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered and, at the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. Prime Minister Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”

In the words of John Matheson, the new flag “was the handiwork of many loving hands, extended over a long period of Canada’s history.” This collaborative effort created an elegant new emblem, instantly recognizable as the foremost symbol of Canada, its values, and the millions of citizens who make up the Canadian family.

15 February - World Hippo Day

 

Every year on February 15, World Hippopotamus Day, sometimes referred to as World Hippo Day, is observed. The day is set aside specifically to honor hippopotamuses and to inspire action against their extinction.The hippopotamus is the largest terrestrial mammal after elephants and rhinos.
 

The closest surviving relatives of hippopotamids, despite their outward resemblance to pigs, are whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc., from whom they diverged some 55 million years ago. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, hippos are semi-aquatic mammals that like to live in rivers and mangrove swamps.

15 February - Mirza Ghalib death anniversary

 

Mirza Ghalib, whose real name was Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, was one of the most prominent and influential poets in the Urdu and Persian languages during the Mughal Empire in India. Born on 27 December 1797, in Agra, British India (present-day India), Ghalib's poetry continues to be celebrated for its depth, philosophical insight, and eloquent expression.

Here are some key points about Mirza Ghalib:

1. Name: Mirza Ghalib's pen name "Ghalib" means "conqueror" or "dominant," reflecting his mastery of language and poetic expression.

2. Early Life: Ghalib belonged to a family of Turkish descent and was educated in Persian and Arabic literature. He lived during a period of great cultural and political change in India.

3. Poetic Style: Ghalib is known for his ghazals, a poetic form that typically consists of rhyming couplets and a recurring rhyme scheme. His poetry often explores themes of love, loss, philosophical reflection, and the complexities of human emotions.

4. Persian and Urdu Poetry: Ghalib wrote extensively in both Persian and Urdu, showcasing his command over both languages. His poetry is considered a pinnacle of classical Urdu and Persian literature.

5. Life Challenges: Ghalib faced financial struggles and personal tragedies throughout his life. The decline of the Mughal Empire and the emergence of British colonial rule in India had a significant impact on his circumstances.

6. Recognition: While Ghalib did not gain widespread recognition during his lifetime, his work posthumously became immensely popular. His poetry is now celebrated not only in South Asia but also globally.

7. Legacy: Mirza Ghalib is regarded as one of the most significant poets in the Urdu and Persian languages. His ghazals are still widely read and recited, and his influence extends to various art forms, including music and literature.

Mirza Ghalib passed away on 15 February 1869 in Delhi, leaving behind a timeless legacy of poetic brilliance. His work has inspired generations of poets and continues to resonate with readers around the world.

15 February - Subhadra Kumari Chauhan death anniversary

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (16 August 1904– 15 February 1948) was an Indian poet. One of her most popular poems is "Jhansi ki Rani" (about the courageous Queen of Jhansi)

Subhadra Chauhan was born in Nihalpur village in Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh. She initially studied in the Crosthwaite Girls' School in Allahabad where she was senior to and friends with Mahadevi Verma and passed the middle-school examination in 1919. She married Thakur Lakshman Singh Chauhan of Khandwa in 1919 when she was sixteen with whom she had five children. After her marriage with Thakur Lakshman Singh Chauhan of Khandwa in the same year, she moved to Jubbulpore (now Jabalpur), Central Provinces.

In 1921, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and her husband joined Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement. She was the first woman Satyagrahi to court arrest in Nagpur and was jailed twice for her involvement in protests against the British rule in 1923 and 1942.

She was a member of the legislative assembly of the state (erstwhile Central Provinces). She died on 15 FEbruary 1948 in a car accident near Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, on her way back to Jabalpur from Nagpur, the then capital of Central Provinces, where she had gone to attend the assembly session.

14 February - Saint Valentine Day

 

Every year 14th February is celebrated as Valentine’s Day across the world. Valentine’s Day is mainly a western tradition, the day is now celebrated in a major way in India as well. This day is named after a Christian martyr Saint Valentine and is celebrated to commemorate the love between companions.

It is believed that this day was first incorporated by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. There were several martyrs named Valentine in the early years who were martyred for multiple reasons. However, none of them were associated with love. It was in the 14th century that martyr named Valentine was associated with love and it is believed that the tradition of Valentine’s Day started from that particular Valentine.

Some interesting facts related to Valentine’s Day

•   Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day in terms of sending cards. Christmas is the first.

•   Every Year Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged!

•   Do you know why Cupid is the symbol of valentine’s day? Cupid is the son of Venus. Venus is the Roman god of love and beauty.

•   Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s.

•   In the year 1537, England’s King Henry VII officially declared Feb. 14 the holiday.

•   On average, men spend double the amount of money on Valentine`s Day gifts as compared to women. On average men spend $130.

•     The oldest known Valentine’s Day card is on display at London’s British Museum. The card dates back to the 1400s.