Modern Indian Historical Figures

Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, was assassinated on August 27, 1979, by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). They planted a bomb on his boat, Shadow V, in Donegal Bay, Ireland. Mountbatten, his grandson Nicholas, and two others were killed in the attack.

Vijay Mallya purchased Tipu Sultan's sword at a London auction in 2003 for approximately £175,000 and brought it back to India. He declared it a national treasure that should return to its homeland.

Pazhassi Raja (1753-1805) fought British from 1797 onwards in Malabar region, making him one of the earliest to resist colonial rule. Mangal Pandey's revolt was in 1857, much later. While Tipu Sultan and others also resisted, Pazhassi Raja is documented among the first organized resistances.

Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of India from March to August 1947, overseeing the partition and transfer of power. Lord Canning was the first Viceroy (1858-1862). Alexander and Marco Polo have no connection to British India.

Subhash Chandra Bose founded the Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj in 1942 with Japanese support in Southeast Asia. The army aimed to liberate India from British rule and fought alongside Japanese forces in the Burma campaign.

Edward Lutyens (along with Herbert Baker) was the architect who designed Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly Viceroy's House). Lutyens was responsible for the overall design and the imposing dome, creating a blend of European and Indian architectural elements.

Edwin Lutyens was the chief architect of Rashtrapati Bhavan (then Viceroy's House). He designed it along with Herbert Baker. The building combines Indian and Western architectural styles and took 17 years to complete (1912-1929).

Warren Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal from 1773-1785 after the Regulating Act of 1773 created this position to centralize British administration in India. His tenure established many administrative and judicial precedents for British colonial rule, though he faced impeachment proceedings later for alleged misconduct.

Edwin Lutyens, along with Herbert Baker, was the chief architect responsible for designing New Delhi. Commissioned by the British in the early 20th century, Lutyens planned the central administrative area including India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the broad avenues of the new capital.

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (1753-1805) was the ruler of Kottayam (Cotiot) kingdom in Kerala who fiercely resisted British colonial expansion. He led guerrilla warfare against the British in the Cotiot Wars (1793-1805) and is remembered as one of India's earliest freedom fighters. His resistance ended with his death in combat in 1805.

In 1663, Shivaji launched a surprise nighttime raid on Lal Mahal (Pune) where Shaista Khan, the Mughal governor, was staying. Shivaji cut off three of Shaista Khan's fingers while he escaped. This was in retaliation for Shaista Khan's campaign against the Marathas.

In 1665, Mirza Raje Jai Singh I, a Rajput general commanding the Mughal forces, besieged Purandar Fort and forced Shivaji to sign the Treaty of Purandar. This treaty required Shivaji to surrender 23 forts and serve the Mughal court.

Netaji Palkar, one of Shivaji's most trusted commanders and the Sar-Senapati (commander-in-chief), was captured by the Mughals and forced to join their service. He converted to Islam and took the name Quli Mohammed Khan before eventually returning to Shivaji.

Maharaja Marthanda Varma defeated the Dutch East India Company at the Battle of Colachel in 1741, marking a decisive victory that halted Dutch expansion in Travancore. This battle is significant as one of the rare instances where an Asian power defeated a European colonial force in the 18th century.

The 1944 Lakshmikanthan murder case led to the arrest of both N.S. Krishnan and M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, two prominent figures in Tamil cinema. Both were eventually acquitted, but the case had a significant impact on their careers during the lengthy legal proceedings.