This is the pottery of Harappan era. Some of it are terracotta cakes.

We collected it with the help of an archaeologist from Rakhigarhi. There are various types here and some of it comes with perforation or painted black designs.

We could only collect such potsherds and the good complete pieces are all in museum. Nonetheless, to own a piece of history is a great feeling for sure.

In the coming classes, I am thinking that students who perform best in the tests should get Harappan pottery as reward. As a memorabilia.

What do you say?

We have always heard - An apple a day keeps doctor away.

But in Delhi, a student cannot afford apples. For middle class families in urban India, one apple's cost equals that of one entire meal. Ridiculously high prices. Ek kharab apple aata hai tokri me to kitna pain hota hai.

I think if Apple becomes affordable, it should be welcomed. People will consume more of it. People should consume more of it.

One border, three adversaries.

During the India-Pakistan DGMO talks Pakistan was getting live inputs from China over deployment of Indian assets.

Pakistan is a borrowed knife for China. Its one of the 36 stratagems.

Visit this if you are interested:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-Six_Stratagems

Pakistan using AI for deepfake.

We in India are software hub... have all software, animation and gen AI skills, but we lack strategic vision to go on offensive in disinformation campaign against the enemy.

I hope one day we realize the meaning of the term "comprehensive national power". We write this in GS2 and GS3 answers but hardly do we practice it.

We know that Pakistan is the biggest military buyer of China. In last 15 years, 81% of Pakistani military imports are Chinese. And over the years Chinese hardware is improving in quality... it has gradually started matching the west.

That is all well known. But this is more surprising.

During Op Sindoor, China had deployed 7 satellites over India to get tactical level intelligence. Specially Punjab and Rajasthan. And then it was provided Live to Pakistan for launching attacks or preparing defences.

We all talk about Turkey alone... but let that just sink in. It was the Chinese hardware and Chinese intelligence we were fighting during Op Sindoor.

Op Sindoor is still not over yet. Asif Munir will come back with more Chinese backing. India should be ready.

During Op Sindoor, a Pakistani farmer in Punjab fired his AK-47 in sky and shot a drone down. (Ye mat puchho ki farmer ke pass AK-47 kyo hai).

Pakistanis got so happy. They rewarded him and felicitated him.

Soon, it was found that it was a Turkish drone. It was Pakistan's own drone... 😂😂

Classic self goal. What a humiliation.

The Early Medieval History is always a source of confusion... A lot of politics happens. Many kings fight. Many dynasties emerge.

This one single video will solve that problem forever. A neat a clear timeline to put things in proper place.

Must watch.

https://youtu.be/nU1SQISeRN8

It has been one year now since this wildest project started. There was no such thing. It had to be created from zero. This is a short recap of the efforts so far. And it is just a beginning. Many more projects are in the offing...

If you have found it useful, do write a comment on Youtube as a token of appreciation. We would like to listen to you. Both Vishal sir and Nikhil sir will be personally reading all the comments on this specific video.

(and yes, if you have not subscribed yet, do it quickly. In next one month, at least 4 interesting videos are coming)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zONjZueoiOs

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If there is any difficult concept, we make it easy for you... This is the modified summary table for this year's GS Foundation batch. Very handy for quick revision.

K Amarnath Ramakrishnan prepared the famous report of the first two seasons excavation in Keeladi. He was asked to revise it by the ASI and he declined.

Now PS Sriraman will prepare a different report of the third season, which he had excavated at Keeladi.

We will have two different reports by two different people now. Both having done excavations at Keeladi.

There is a potential that this is going to get murkier and more debatable. Fingers crossed.

It's exciting for sure. It only establishes that the field of Archaeology is sexy and political, not boring.

- Nikhil

We’re Looking for a Production Manager! 🎬🎨⚙️

Hey folks,

We’ve got a bunch of super talented people working on our reels, graphics, shorts, and videos — but what we really need now is someone to pull it all together. Someone who knows how to get things done, keeps the team on track, and brings that missing spark of direction and speed.

Think of it like film production — every creative team needs a production manager. That’s who we’re looking for.

What kind of person?
1. You’ve been through the UPSC grind — so you get the content and the vibe.

2. You’ve handled creative or technical teams before — and actually enjoyed it.

3. You know how to set goals, build a workflow, and keep the momentum going.

4. You understand how creators work — and how to make their life easier, not harder.


This is an exciting work — fast-paced, a little chaotic (in a fun way), and full of potential. But we need someone who can jump in from Day One. Not a training gig — this needs experience.

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, drop your resume at
📧 [email protected]

Let’s build something awesome together.

— Team LevelUp IAS 🚀

An Article by the UPSC Chairman.
Padho padho ....

Finally it is going to happen. It was long awaited.... most excited about it. I know some people involved in this effort of getting recognition. Immense hardwork and dedication.

It will be 5th UNESCO Heritage in MH. Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, Bombay colonial architecture and now Maratha forts.

Of the 14 forts in the list, I have been to about 6 of them. Hope to visit all of them one day.

Nikhil

https://www.ndtv.com/travel/maratha-military-landscapes-of-india-may-become-a-new-unesco-world-heritage-site-8849299

Photo of Suvarnadurga fort from coastal area.

Shivaji's navy was very important. Mark my words. In coming days, this aspect of Maratha Navy is going to be more and more important in History.

Me at Raigad's Takmak tok in 2007... another UNESCO site. It was the final and most important capital of Shivaji.

Me trying to go up Rajgad back in 2008. Another capital fort of Shivaji. One of the forts in UNESCO WHS.

Can you notice me?

Trekking to the top of Lohagarh. Another UNESCO fort site.

Trying to use grinding stone on Lohagarh. It was impossible to move it even an inch for me.

The person in black t shirt with me is today a very senior scientist in ISRO. Working with satellites.

Kaha grinding stone of 17th century and kaha satellites of 21st century.