Historical Chronicles- A blog run by Rabi Roy: 2022

The Mesopotamian Venice: The Lost Floating Homes of Iraq

Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about living sustainably, and sometimes people go to great lengths for this purpose. It often surprises me just how complicated people choose to make this process when if you really want to live in a sustainable home and lead a sustainable lifestyle, you need not look too far — just go back to the roots. Sadly, the world right now is on the brink of a cultural amnesia. A language is dying every two weeks, urbanization is taking momentum once more and every nation’s heritage is slowly eroding away. One needs only to learn about the Ma’dan to understand what I’m jabbering about.

The Mesopotamian Venice: The Lost Floating Homes of Iraq (zmescience.com)

TRIBENI-The Holy City| HooghlyKolkataWestBengal ||त्रिवेणी- एक पवित्र शह...

Mysteries Surrounding Tutankhamun And His Tomb!

Foreign tourists in India and their travelogue

Travellers' accounts are an important part of India's past history.

Some of them are mentioned below.

This is just a collection of information.

Travellers	Reign of Rulers	Contribution and Misc.
Deimachos Period: (320-273 BC) Who: Greek Ambassador	Came to India in the reign of Bindusara.	-
Megasthenes Period: (302-298 B.C.) Who: Greek ethnographer & ambassador.	Ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, who visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya.	Wrote an interesting book Indica.
Ptolemy Period: 130 A.D. Who: From Greece and Geographer.	-	Wrote “Geography of India” which gives a description of Ancient India.
Fa-Hien Period: (405-411 A.D.) Who: Chinese Buddhist Monk	Came to India in the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.	- Visited the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini. - His Travelogue “Records of Buddhist Kingdoms”. - Wrote Fo-Kyo-Ki.
Hiuen-Tsang Period: (630-645 A.D.) Who: Chinese Buddhist Monk	Visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.	- Came through Tashkent and Swat Valley. - Book is “**Si-Yu-Ki or the records of the western world**”.
I-tsing Period: (671- 695 A.D.) Who: Chinese traveller	Visited India in connection with Buddhism.	- His works are Biographies of Eminent Monks. - Gives useful information about the social, religious and cultural life of the people of this country.
Al-Masudi Period: (957 A.D.) Who: Arab Traveller	-	Gives an extensive account of India in his work “Muruj-ul-Zahab”.
Al- Beruni or Abu Rehan Mahamud Period: (1024-1030 A.D.) Who: Muslim Scholar and Polymath	Came along with Mahmud Ghazni during one of his Indian raids.	- First Muslim Scholar to study India also known as the founder of Indology. - Wrote “ Tahqiq-i-Hind/Kitab-ul-Hind.
Marco Polo Period: (1292-1294 AD) Who: Venetian Traveller	Visited South India in 1294 A.D during the reign of Pandyan ruler of Madurai, Madverman, Kulshekhara (1272-1311)	His work “The Book of Sir Marco Polo” gives an invaluable account of the economic history of India.
Ibn Batuta Period: (1333-1347 A.D.) Who: Morrish traveller	Visited India during the reign of Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq.	His book “ Rehla” (the travelogue)
Shihabuddin al-Umari Period: (1348 A.D.) Who: Came from Damascus	-	He gives a vivid account of India in his book “ Masalik albsar fi-mamalik al-amsar”
Nicolo Conti Period: (1420-1421 A.D.) Who: Venetian traveller	Came during the rule of Devraya I of the Sangam Dynasty of the Vijayanagar empire.	Given a graphic account of the Vijayanagara capital.
Abdur Razzaq Period: (1443-1444 A.D.) Who: Persian traveller, Ambassador of Shahrukh of Timurid dynasty.	- Came during the rule of Devraya II of the Sangam dynasty of the Vijaynagar Empire. - Came in India at Zamorin's Calicut.	Given a brief account of this countryside, in his Matla us Saddin wa Majuma ul Baharain.
Athanasius Nikitin Period: (1470- 1474 A.D.) Who: Russian merchant	Visited South India in 1470.	-He describes the condition of the Bahmani kingdom under Muhammad III (1463-82). - His narrative “ The journey beyond 3 seas”
Duarte Barbosa Period: (1500-1516 A.D.) Who: Portuguese traveller	-	He has given a brief description of the government and the people of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Domingo Paes Period: (1520-1522 A.D.) Who: Portuguese traveller	Visited the court of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar Empire.	-
Fernao Nuniz Period: (1535-1537 A.D.) Who: Portuguese merchant	Came during the rule of Achyutdeva Raya of the Tuluv dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire.	Wrote a history of the empire from its earliest times to the closing years of Achyutdeva Raya’s reign.
John Hughen Von Linschotten Period: (1583 A.D.) Who: Dutch traveller	-	Given a valuable account of the social and economic life of South India.
William Hawkins Period: (1608-1611 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of James I, king of England.	Came to India during the reign of Jahangir, the great Mughal Emperor. William finch came with him.	-
Sir Thomas Roe Period: (1615-1619 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of James I, king of England.	Came to India during the reign of Jahangir, the great Mughal Emperor.	-
Edward Terry Period: (1616 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of Thomas Roe.	-	Describe Indian social (Gujarat) behaviour.
Franciso Palsaert Period: (1620-1627 A.D.) Who: Dutch traveller stayed at Agra.	-	Gave a vivid account of the flourishing trade at Surat, Ahmadabad, Broach, Cambay, Lahore, Multan etc.
Peter Mundy Period: (1630-34 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller	Came in the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan.	Gives valuable information about the living standard of the common people in the Mughal Empire.
John Albert de Mandesto Period: (1638 A.D.) Who: German traveller	Reached Surat in 1638 A.D.	-
Jeen Baptiste Tavernier Period: (1638-1663 A.D.) Who: French traveller	Visited India 6 times in the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.	-
Nicolao Manucci Period: (1653-1708 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller	He got service at the court of Dara Shikoh.	-
Francois Bernier Period: (1656- 1717 A.D.) Who: French physician and Philosopher.	Danishamand Khan, a noble of Aurangzeb was his patron.	-
Jean de Thevenot Period: (1666 A.D.) Who: French traveller	-	Given an account of cities like Ahmadabad, Cambay, Aurangabad and Golconda.
John Fryer Period: (1672-1681 A.D.) Who: English traveller		Given a vivid account of Surat and Bombay.
Gemelli Careri Period: (1695 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller who landed at Daman.	-	His remarks on the Mughal emperor’s military organisation and administration are important.

December10: International Human Rights Day: A few words ।। Rabi Roy

Human Rights Day falls in the month of December. Every year December10 is observed as Human Rights Day throughout the world, including India. It is observed by right-based organizations, elected governments and above all by the United Nations.

The motive behind the observance of the Day is to build up awareness among common people regarding their rights. Human rights cover all sorts of rights human beings need to secure their social as well as economic existence, including freedom of thoughts. Social and economic rights are an essential part of human rights. These include the right to work, the right to form associations, the right to social security, the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing and shelter, the right to health and the right to education. Moreover, human rights aim at equality of all races, castes and creeds. Human rights are natural rights of a human being. Women’s rights as well as children’s rights are also considered as human rights.

The first modern exponent of human rights was John Locke who stressed on natural rights in Two Treaties of Governments (1688), followed by Immanuel Kant whose ideals of equality and moral autonomy originated from human reasoning, not the Divine Will. In the 18^th century, the world witnessed two revolutionary movements, the American Independence Movement (1776) and the French Revolution (1789), inspired by the ideals of human rights to over through tyrannical regimes. Rousseau, the French ideologue, made us remember – “Man is born free and is everywhere in chains”.

In the last century, after the Second World War, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledged the need to safeguard human rights world over. On December10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted and proclaimed this Declaration as a common goal, realizing them for all people, all nations and every individual and every group in society. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity in rights”, it stated in Article1. The recognition of women’s rights as human rights became international law when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1976. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, laid down binding standards of protection covering every aspect of children’s human rights.

INDIA

India adopted the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On the basis of the Directive Principles of State Policy, the union government enacted a number of Acts related to human rights, such as the Abolition of Untouchability Act, Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act and Dowry Prohibition Act. Moreover, to ensure human rights of minorities and weaker sections of the community it created some independent bodies. To protect the children of our nation, the Union Government enacted the Juvenile Justice Act (1986), the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act (1986), the Parental Diagnostic Technique (Regulation, Prevention & Misuse) Act (1992), etc. Provisions against trafficking and abuse of children were included in various personal laws.

The 1990s had seen the enactment of human rights legislation in India. The National Commission for Women Act (1990) provided for a National Commission for Women. In 1992, the National Commission for Minorities Act was passed by the central legislature. The Protection of Human Rights Act (1993) provided for the constitution of a National Human Rights Commission, state human rights commission in individual states and a human rights court. And recently, a Bill has been passed empowering concerned ministry to constitute child rights panels in the center as well as in the states.

In spite of all these rights being on paper and accepted at least in theory, there has been an apparent failure to enforce human rights.

Violation of rights happens throughout the year. It happens in war fields as well as in home front. There are so many organizations functioning as watchdogs in national and international level, still violation graph is upward. It is a world phenomenon. In our country, India, even after formation of several Commissions, violation of rights of women and children in particular, is very common. Attacks on live hood of religious minorities and indigenous people is growing day by day in recent times.

December 10, 2022

A Brief History of Human Rights: Timeline

c. 1760 BCE:

In Babylon King Hammurabi draws up the ‘Code of Hammurabi’, an early legal document that promises to ‘make justice reign in the Kingdom and promote the good of the people’

528 BCE - 486 BCE

c. 539 BC The Cyrus Cylinder

In 539 BC, Cyrus the Great conquered the city of Babylon, freed slaves to return home, and declared that people should have a choice in their religion. This event is considered by many to be the world’s first charter of human rights in history. Prior to this, people had rights based on membership to a group, such as a family for example. This event served as an inspiration to the civilizations of India, Greece, and Rome, cultures that are known these days for their contributions to rights and freedoms.

In India, Gautama Buddha advocates morality, reverence for life, non-violence and right conduct

c. 500 BCE

Confucian teaching develops based on 'jen' or benevolence and respect for other people

27 BCE - 476 CE

Roman Empire develops the concepts of natural law and the rights of citizens

c. 26 - 33 CE

In Palestine, Jesus Christ preaches morality, tolerance, justice, forgiveness and love. The Christian New Testament teaches equality before God: 'In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female'

c. 613 - 632

In Saudi Arabia, Prophet Mohammed teaches the principles of equality, justice and compassion revealed in the Qur’ān

***

1215 AD
The Magna Carta

Britain's King John is forced by his lords to sign the Magna Carta, acknowledging that free men are entitled to judgment by their peers and that even a King is not above the law. It also stated that taxes could not be demanded without first obtaining the consent of ‘the realm’.

Undoubtedly a great first step in the long journey for human rights, a document like this would not come to be for another thousand years. Then in 1215, the Magna Carta, translated from Latin to mean “The Great Charter” was issued by King John of England. This document, too, was a big step for rights because it established that the king was in fact subject to the law, despite a long history of actions without consequences. This was written a long time ago, when monarchies were commonplace, so is it still relevant? Many clauses are no longer applicable to modern times, however, the charter still holds timeless fundamental values such as the right to justice and a fair trial.

1583 - 1645 AD

Hugo Grotius, Dutch jurist credited with the birth of international law, speaks of brotherhood of humankind and the need to treat all people fairly.

1689 AD

In England, Parliament adopts the Bill of Rights that curtails the power of the monarch and includes freedom from torture and from punishment without trial. The Bill sets out that it is the job of government to represent the people and their rights.

1776 AD

US Declaration of Independence proclaims that 'all men are created equal' and endowed with certain inalienable rights.

1789 AD

In France the National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which guarantees the rights to liberty, equality, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

1791 AD

The United States Congress adopts their Bill of Rights, amending the US Constitution to include rights to trial by jury, freedom of expression, speech, belief and assembly

1833 AD

The British Parliament abolishes slavery through the Slavery Abolition Act

***

1945
The United Nations is created ‘to affirm the dignity and worth of every human person’

1948
The United Nations adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1950
The European Convention of Human Rights

TheEuropean Convention of Human Rights, prompted by the UDHR, is a treaty between 47 states of the Council of Europe that is legally binding to protect basic rights and freedoms of the people. The idea for the treaty came about in the beginning of the 1940s during WWII, but only came into existence in 1950. Its official name is “The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”. It was the first instrument to give real effect to certain rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to ensure that governments would “never again” be permitted to abuse the rights of the people. Yet, rights were still being abused and not everyone was treated equally.

1951
The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ('The Refugee Convention') is adopted and opened for signature. It defines who a refugee is and what the rights and legal obligations of states are in relation to them

1965
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to eliminate racial discrimination and promote understanding among all races

Undoubtedly in response to the Civil Rights Movement, the UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1965, but it did not become effective until 1969. The Convention is considered a generational human rights instrument that aims to eradicate racial hatred and incitement to hatred, combat prejudices which lead to racial discrimination, and guarantee the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination on grounds of national or ethnic origin, color, or race. As of 2018, it has 88 signatories and 179 parties.

1966
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are adopted and opened for signature

In 1945, inspired by the French Declaration, a proposal for a “Declaration of the Essential Rights of Man” in an early stage was proposed, but it was not until 1966 that the proposal was completed and put into existence. The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights together make up the International Bill of Human Rights. The bill influences the actions and decisions of State-actors, Non-State actors, and the Government. Priorities of the Bill include cultural, social, and economic rights in the creation and carry-out of international, local, and national law and policy. Three years later, the American Convention on Human Rights was adopted with similar priorities.

1979
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to prevent discrimination against, and to promote the rights of, women

Due to the name of the previous document mentioned, it is no surprise that the following document is created. What groups come to mind as being included in society? Women are not normally thought of first. The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women is the only treaty to recognize tradition and culture as molding factors of family relations and gender roles, and guarantee the reproductive rights of women. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it is an international legally binding treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly. It defines discrimination against women as, “… any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field”. The Convention was ratified by 189 countries and promotes equal rights for women. Surprisingly, the USA is one of only 7 countries that has failed to ratify CEDAW.

1981
The African Charter of Human Rights

As Africa contains so many countries and peoples, the establishment of the African Charter of Human Rights made important progress. It promotes and protects human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent. Along with the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, it designates that “freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African peoples”. Oversight and interpretation of the Charter is the task of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The idea began with the Law of Lagos in the early 1960’s.

1984
The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

During the 1800s and 1900s, there were deadly Civil Wars, the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, etc. in which torture methods were used frequently and widely. The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is a human rights treaty, under the review of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world. Major topics of discussion included the definition of torture, universal jurisdiction, international implementation, and the undertakings of States parties. Within the previous 100 years were deadly Civil Wars, the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War, etc. in which torture methods were used frequently and widely.

1989
The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Another group that can be often overlooked in society are minors. Many people think of children as being the property of their parents when this certainly is not the case. In 1989, the Convention of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN. It established the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children, a group whose rights are largely overlooked. This treaty sets forth the idea that children are their own individuals with rights and are not in fact the property of their parents. Children must be allowed to play, develop, grow, learn, and flourish. They are, after all, the future. The Convention is the most ratified human rights treaty in history; 196 countries are party to it, including every member of the UN, except yet again, the United States.

1993

The World Conference on Human Rights

Held by the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, from the 14th to 25th of June in 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights was the first human rights conference held since the end of the Cold War. The main result of the conference was the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, a plan to strengthen human rights around the world. Additionally, the conference took additional steps to promote the rights of neglected groups in society: indigenous peoples, women, and children.

2000
The Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union

Drafted by the European Convention and solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for citizens of the European Union (EU). It is broken into 6 chapters: dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizen’s rights, and justice. The Charter differs from the European Convention on Human Rights in that it was drafted by the EU and is upheld by the Court of Justice of the European Union, whereas the European Convention was drafted by the Council of Europe and is upheld by the European Court of Human Rights.

2011
UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training (HRET)

What is most recently on the agenda in the fight for human rights? The UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training was established in 2011 and asserts that everyone has the right to know, seek and receive information about their human rights and fundamental freedoms. In order to promote universal respect for human rights, education and training in this area is essential. Everyone should have access to education on human rights. This is why the work of the USIDHR is so important.

How to Get Involved in Human Rights Education

USIDHR’s goal is to achieve education for all. One-way USIDHR work towards these goals is through the Edu for Every Child program, which aims to help the 258 million children out of school get the chance to go to school. Additionally, USIDHR offers courses in Human Rights Education Training, the goal of the 2011 UN Declaration. Students undertake a human rights certification program that provides all of the information needed to become a human rights consultant and make a change in the world in their own lives and the lives of others. If everyone were educated on human rights at a young age, it is likely that there would be fewer human rights violations across the globe.

References:

A Brief History of Human Rights Documents Throughout Time - US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (usidhr.org)

History of human rights - Wikipedia

History Of Human Rights Timeline | Preceden

Human Rights | Nonprofits that help Human Rights | PWI (projectworldimpact.com)