The description given to something can change its colours and evoke emotions that were never present before.

Indian cinema has taken centre stage in making films about the rich history of the country. Presenting the courage of freedom fighters or exploring the diverse cultural heritage, every filmmaker has a special vision of bringing history to life on the silver screen.

An incomparable gem of Indian cinema, Mughal-e-Azam explores a tale of forbidden love in the Mughal period. The film has garnered immense love from the masses and is one of the most iconic films of all time. The elegant costumes, grand setting and classic dialogues add an eternal charm to the story while providing a glimpse into the lives of people during those times. Mughal-e-Azam even helps the viewers in picturing the social and political atmosphere of medieval times, a great advantage as it builds curiosity in people regarding such topics, encouraging them to learn more about history.

Another remarkable film that employs a historical setting is Lagaan, which takes place in the colonial period and revolves around a group of villagers who challenge the British in a game of cricket. This film beautifully captures the spirit of resistance and patriotism in the face of oppression. In recent years, filmmakers have tried to explore lesser-known stories from Indian history. Films like Kesari and Gold highlight unsung characters and events from different eras.

Indian cinema has also explored momentous events through biopics. Films like Sardar Udham, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and The Legend of Bhagat Singh delve into the lives of individuals who made unforgettable contributions to the past. Besides educating the audiences about the journeys of these extraordinary figures, these films also inspire people by showing how historic personalities rose above countless obstacles.

Still, the portrayal of historical themes in Indian cinema is surrounded by controversy. Debates about the essence of historical accuracy arise when filmmakers take artistic liberty to make stories engaging. Some argue that historical films should adhere to facts; others support creative interpretation as it connects history to a bigger audience. At times, however, rewriting and oversimplifying history can create negativity. Padmaavat and Samrat Prithviraj are among the films that have drawn criticism for encouraging stereotypes.

Thus, Indian cinema has played an interesting role in depicting history. With their powerful performances and compelling themes, films allow audiences to relive significant moments from history. Although films fail to represent historical figures accurately, one cannot deny that cinema leaves an impact by entertaining people and helping them remember the past.

About the Writer

Palak is a passionate writer who enjoys reading new books. She pens down her thoughts through creative writing. She hopes to inspire others to embrace a life of authenticity, self-discovery and personal growth.

A friend really wanted to visit the Elephanta caves and that’s how my mid-December (important because fantastic weather!) trip to Bombay happened and because of the location, we stayed near Flora Fountain which made all the difference! You know the expression, ‘something came to life’? Well, reaching Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus, of UNESCO World Heritage Site fame) after dark literally felt like the city was coming alive. The first building we saw was the interiors and exterior of the grand Victoria Terminus and suddenly the almost-everyday instagram pictures of friends from Bombay made complete sense. I was in awe of the majesty. During the cab trip from the station to our hotel, I simply couldn’t stop looking out of the window. The buildings were gorgeous. And it wasn’t just one or two of them. Everywhere I looked, I could see a grand structure of stone with arches and embellishments. And to top that off, the buildings were lit to look magical! The lights were placed in perfectly strategic positions to accentuate the best parts of the building and it transported me across space and time. There was a Zara store near Flora Fountain and I have never gazed at a clothing store with the love-struck eyes with which I stared at it (the next day, I was to be mesmerized by a Westside store too!)  

My friend thought the buildings looked better during the day because one could see the details and modern lights on ancient buildings felt incongruous, but I politely disagreed. Of course, the buildings were just as much a visual treat during the day but the magic that they created with the lights dancing around is what dreams are made of!  

It reminded me of a trip to Dubai and even there the thing that charmed me the most was the city’s love of fairy lights. Many buildings in that city too were adorned with lights, the most famous example being Burj Khalifa. That experience filled me with awe and I was left feeling how precious this kind of beauty is! But now, knowing such a space exists so close to home, fills me with joy!   The area is called Kala Ghoda and is a hub of art! You’ll find gorgeous murals all around and they have an art festival too (already planning to go to the next one!). Plus, the area has fascinating museums like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay and the Jehangir Art Gallery which unfortunately we didn’t get time to explore.    Another lucky find which stole my heart was a stationery store called ‘The Bombay Paperie’ which turned out to be the perfect spot to indulge in some self-birthday-gift shopping.

All in all, when they say that Bombay contains multitudes, believe them, and go explore !  

The views, information, or opinions expressed above are solely those of the author(s) involved and do not necessarily represent those held by India Lost & Found and its creative community.

Hi, I’m Chaitali Kulkarni…

In the west of India, states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, comprise very dry and arid regions. Water is a scarce resource here, making it crucial to conserve. The people in these regions have come up with various indigenous techniques to store water during the monsoons and use them throughout the year, or sometimes dig up wells till the groundwater level to sustain their lives.

A look into India’s architectural and ecological history indicates how water was preserved and how this system has existed since the 10^th century in India. Baolis for the first time appeared in the 2^nd and 4^th century AD in Junagadh, Gujarat. From there they spread to Rajasthan and then to the rest of northern and western India and Pakistan. But, the great bath of Mohenjodaro can also be considered a form of Baoli, which was made in the 3rd century BC. So technically we can say they go way back to the ancient period.

Baolis or step-wells had steps to reach the bottom where the well or water source is situated. They also have rooms and resting places where travellers can rest. They were built as multi-functioning structures where villagers could collect water and commuters could have a place to rest. The water would collect in the well during the rainy season and it would serve as a reservoir for drinking and irrigation purposes throughout the year. Some baolis were dug up to reach the groundwater level. The main well along with the secondary structures in baolis are mostly constructed from stone masonry. Not just as an ecological and conservation purposes of saving water, but these baolis were seen as an aesthetic space to showcase the art and architecture of the period they were built in. They had intricate designs and motifs on the walls and were symbolic of the culture that prevailed in the region and during a particular period. Architecturally, they are a marvel and are one of the finest examples are seen in both Hindu and Islamic architecture. They were used as temples and ritual sites where they had pictures of male and female deities engraved on the walls of the baoli.

Today, even when the water in these baolis has dried up, they are still re-adapted and used as temples, most significantly the Mata Bhavani Vav in Ahmedabad built in the 1^st century and by the Chalukya dynasty in Gujarat. That is another importance of Baolis. Apart from conserving water, they were also an important religious and social structure. Ladies would often perform rituals in these Baolis. The location from the movie Padmavat where Rani Padmini performs Jauhar along with 16,000 other Rajput women is also a kind of Baoli which was a structure inside the Chittorgarh fort. One Baoli which has often been used as a shoot location for a lot of movies is the Chand Baori. Chand Baori is a multi-approach stepwell in Rajasthan and is situated in the village of Abhaneri. Movies like Bhool Bhoolaiya, Paheli, the fall, etc. were shot here. The stepwell has also served as an inspiration for the location of one of the batman movies-the Dark Knight rises. The Baori was made between the 8^th and the 9^th  century by King Chanda to solve water issues in the region. It is 13 stories deep and has 3500 steps in total. However, Rani ki vav or the queen’s stepwell in Gujarat is the most popular Baolis in India, which was made during the rule of the Chalukyas dynasty. It has had the status of UNESCO world heritage status since 2014.

Baolis have served from being an absolute necessity (to conserve water) to being an important and significant artistic disposition (being heavily adorned with structures and deities that showcase the art and culture of the era) from historic to modern times. They are important ecological structures that have ancient roots and serve the purpose of conserving water structurally. They are important cultural assets and therefore should be preserved at all costs. By the early 20th century, there were very few Baolis that were serviceable to the public, as the British thought of them as unhygienic and so many of these Baolis were destroyed or filled, thus rendering them redundant.

The views, information, or opinions expressed above are solely those of the author(s) involved and do not necessarily represent those held by India Lost & Found and its creative community.

Hi, I’m Radhey Sureka…

Radhey is a student at St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta. Though from the field of commerce, she loves all things history, culture and heritage. Currently, she is working with the Oral History Database team of India Lost & Found.