The revolutionary invention of the wheel

Ancient Wheel

From the very early designs used for pottery purposes to the most advanced contraptions known to mankind, the wheel has been continuously driving our civilization like a catalyst in a chemical reaction. It's difficult to imagine our lives without any form of movement. Wheels are one of the most ancient discoveries in all of humankind. However, none of us question how the wheel was actually discovered? 

One may be tempted to think that the wheel is just a humble or even primitive invention compared to some of the fancy gadgets that we have today. Nevertheless, the wheel (specifically as a means of transportation) was actually invented at a relatively late point of human history. The oldest known wheel found in an archaeological excavation is from Mesopotamia, and dates to around 3500 BC. This period was known as the Bronze Age, which is a relatively late chapter in the story of the development of human civilisation. By this time, human beings were already planting crops, herding domesticated animals, and had some form of social hierarchy.

Early wheels were simple wooden disks with a hole for the axle. Because of the structure of wood, a horizontal slice of a tree trunk is not suitable, as it does not have the structural strength to support relevant stresses without failing; rounded pieces of longitudinal boards are required.

The containers that were prepared by the potters were helpful for carrying the essentials; drinking water and nutritious food. There was yet another enhancement by utilising the wheels for moving on the vehicles. The advanced version of these same wheels are now being used by the cars which we use today, for our own convenience.

It's clear that if there was no invention of the wheel, there would be no vehicles. Our roads would have been empty and aeroplanes would not have been able to take to the skies.

As result of the wheel, there has been great development in the field of industrialisation. The different manufacturing factories and companies are a productive outcome of wheels. If the wheel had been a relatively new invention, the inventor would have received worldwide acclaim. Although what we determine to be a simple idea, the concept at that time was truly groundbreaking and ingenius - a concept that has withstood the ultimate test of time.

Conclusion

The wheels were not invented in one go. It is the continuous effort that has reached the success. It is rightly said "Necessity is the mother of Invention".

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/history-of-the-wheel-7334.html#

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

The Russian Revolution is the collective term for a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the creation of the Russian SFSR .In 1917, two revolutions swept through Russia, ending centuries of imperial rule and setting in motion political and social changes that would lead to the formation of the Soviet Union. The Emperor was forced to abdicate and the old regime was replaced by a provisional government during the first revolution of February 1917. In the second revolution, during October, the Provisional Government was removed and replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government and thus it is also known as Bolshevik Revolution.                                                                      

The February 1917 Revolution

Czar Nicholas II

 The February Revolution took place in the context of heavy military setbacks during the First World War (1914–18), which left much of the Russian army in a state of mutiny.

Although many wanted a revolution, no one expected it to happen when it did and how it did. On Thursday, February 23, 1917, women workers in Petrograd left their factories and entered the streets to protest. It was International Women's Day and the women of Russia were ready to be heard. Soon more people joined them and by Saturday, February 25, the city of Petrograd was basically shut down -- no one was working.

Czar Nicholas II, who was not in Petrograd during the revolution, heard reports of the protests but did not take them seriously. On March 2 it was made official when Czar Nicholas II abdicated.

Dual Power

A period of dual power ensued, during which the Provisional Government held state power while the national network of Soviets, led by socialists, had the allegiance of the lower classes and the political left. During this chaotic period there were frequent mutinies, protests and many strikes.

October Revolution

The October 1917 Revolution or Bolshevik Revolution

In the October Revolution, the Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and the workers' Soviets, overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd. The Bolsheviks appointed themselves as leaders of various government ministries and seized control of the countryside, establishing the Cheka to quash dissent. To end Russia’s participation in the First World War, the Bolshevik leaders signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918.

Vladimir Lenin

Consequences of the revolution

The main reason for the revolution was to back out from the World War 1. Russia succeeded in doing so but failed to save themselves from entering into the CIVIL WAR. Civil war erupted between the "Red" (Bolshevik) and "White" (anti-Bolshevik) factions, which was to continue for several years, with the Bolsheviks ultimately victorious but at the expense of millions of people killed. In this way, the Revolution paved the way for the creation of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922.




 Source:

http://history1900s.about.com/od/Russian-Revolution/a/RFVussian-Revolution.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/russianrev/

AKBAR- THE MUGHAL EMPEROR

The Mughal Empire under the superiority of the Muslim rulers extended its empire over large parts of northern India and Indian sub continent in the 16th century ruling over social groups in northern and western India. They got new admistrative policies with diverse, uniform, systematic rules. The Mughal Rulers were people from Central Asian Turko – Mungols, presently from Uzbekistan.

The classic period the Empire started when Akbar the Great ascended the throne in 1556. He was the son of second Mughal Emperor Humayun. He was a great warrior, with liberal and open minded thoughts and mindset. He was a wise and a benevolent ruler. He was a very religious person, a strong believer of god. He took an active part in discussing all types of religion, i.e. Hindus, Parsis, Christians as well as Muslim. He made his court a centre of culture encouraging and discussing various religions with great scholars, painters, artisans, poets and musicians. He was very creative and made many forts like:

1. Buland Darwaza

He made religious places for people to worship known as Ibatdat Khana ( House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri with his religious policies based on the principal of universal peace. It was beautifully crafted and designed with great perfection.

One the most elite religious policy of Akbar was Dīn-i Ilāhī or Divine Faith, which was an ethical system. It prohibited sins like sensuality, prudence, pride, lust and enjoined the virtues of abstinence and kindness.

 

Panch Mahal

With this policy, Akbar tried to reconcile the   differences of both religions which incorporated both 'pantheistic' versions of Islamic Sufism (most notably the Ibn Arabi's doctrine of 'Wahdat al Wajood' or Unity of existence) and 'bhakti' or devotional cults of Hinduism. And elements of other religions like Christanity, Jainism , Buddishm were amalagated into it. He tried to remove the differences and distinctions between Muslims and Non Muslims, and always fostered tolerance for the all the religion.

Akbar's fort

During his regin he abolished the pilgrim tax as well as the Jizya tax. Also rolled back Zazia Tax from Jain Pilgrims .

Akbar contributed largely in the fields of arts and literature with his fine literary taste and interests in philosophy, theology, history, and politics. . With the most exclusive being the Akbar-nama and the Ain-i-Akbar in the Mughal collection. As with many Indian rulers Akbar's court had Navaratnas ("Nine Jewels"), a term denoting a group of nine extraordinary people. Akbar's Navratnas were:

Akbarnama

• Abul-Fazel - Akbars's chief advisor and author of Akbarnama, Akbar's biography
• Faizi
• Mian Tansen - known for his voice and music
• Birbal - known for great wit
• Raja Todar Mal
• Raja Man Singh
• Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana
• Fakir Aziao-Din
• Mullah Do Piaza
• Baiju Bawara

Source:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/11421/Akbar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar