

Critically acclaimed author Aabhas Maldahiyar, in an exclusive conversation with NDTV's Aditi Bhardwaj, delves into the misconceptions surrounding the Mughal era in NCERT textbooks. In addition, he reveals shocking revelations about the iconic Taj Mahal. Maldahiyar's bestselling book 'Babur the Chessboard King' brings to light the true narrative of the Mughal empire, challenging prevalent historical narratives. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion.
The Taj Mahal Unveiled: Uncovering the Controversies
The Taj Mahal, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has been a subject of fascination and controversy for centuries. Recent revelations by critically acclaimed author Aabhas Maldahiyar have reignited debates surrounding the Mughal era and the enigmatic history of the Taj Mahal.
Misconceptions and Controversies
Maldahiyar's research challenges the traditional narratives presented in NCERT textbooks, alleging that they paint an inaccurate picture of the Mughal period. He claims that the textbooks downplay the negative aspects of Mughal rule, such as religious persecution and suppression.
Furthermore, the author delves into the controversial origins of the Taj Mahal. He argues that the popular belief that it was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament to his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal is a fabricated story. Maldahiyar suggests that the mausoleum was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and was converted into a mosque by the Mughals.
Shocking Revelations
In his bestseller "Babur the Chessboard King," Maldahiyar presents evidence to support his claims, including ancient texts, archaeological findings, and architectural analysis. He alleges that the Taj Mahal was built on a Hindu pilgrimage site and that its design incorporates Hindu motifs and symbolism.
Maldahiyar's revelations have sparked strong reactions from historians and scholars. Some have dismissed his claims as fringe theories that lack credible evidence. Others have welcomed the challenge to conventional historical narratives, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the past.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who built the Taj Mahal?
2. Why was the Taj Mahal built?
3. What is the evidence for the Taj Mahal's Hindu origins?
4. Have these claims been verified by historians?
5. How has the controversy affected public opinion?

The Election Commission (EC) has announced the schedule for Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2025, excluding Assam due to the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) process. While the BJP has welcomed the announcement, the Congress has raised concerns and questioned the decision. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has stated that Assam has a separate provision in citizenship laws and the NRC process must be taken into consideration, causing potential delays in the SIR preparations. Despite the physical closure of banks in Ranchi and Patna, financial services will remain available through digital and self-service platforms, so customers are advised to use online banking and plan any in-branch visits accordingly.

In a step towards promoting ethical governance and preventing corruption, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo administered the Integrity Pledge to officers and officials at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. This marked the beginning of the National Vigilance Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign held annually by the Central Vigilance Commission. The theme for this year is "Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility", emphasizing the role of collective efforts in upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in public administration. Throughout the week, various activities will be conducted to sensitize employees and citizens on the importance of honesty and integrity in governance.

In a bid to promote integrity and fight against corruption, the Central Vigilance Commission has declared the observation of 'Vigilance Awareness Week' with the theme 'Our Shared Responsibility'. Health Minister JP Nadda, during the launch, stressed the need for institutionalizing ethical practices and building a culture of vigilance in every level of governance. He also urged for creating a checklist of do's and don'ts in simple terms to prevent unintentional wrongdoings.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa chaired a meeting to discuss ways to control dust pollution from construction activities in the city. He revealed that an extensive campaign has been launched to monitor and penalize illegal and unregistered construction projects. The Minister also directed officials to expedite field actions and simplify the registration process to ensure timely intervention against polluters.

In a press conference held in New Delhi, the Election Commission has announced phase two of special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states. This comes after political parties raised concerns about the quality of the rolls. While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin arrived at DMK headquarters to discuss the issue, Assam's electoral roll revision will be announced separately due to the ongoing process of the National Register of Citizens. The EC has assured that there will be no obstacles in implementing the roll clean-up exercise in West Bengal.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed probationers of the Indian Police Service 77 RR (2024 batch) and emphasized the significant role that effective policing and future-ready technology play in promoting growth and attracting investment in any state. She highlighted the transformational impact of technology in the realm of policing and urged young officers to remain ahead in adopting new technologies, including AI, to combat threats to citizens. The President also encouraged ethical decision-making and accountability among young officers occupying positions of power and authority.

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After Chief Justice Gavai's formal recommendation, Union Government is set to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India. With a distinguished legal career and key institutional roles, Justice Kant is highly regarded for his commitment to electoral transparency and landmark verdicts on various issues including abrogation of Article 370 and free speech. His term is expected to begin on November 24, 2025, and last for approximately 15 months.

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the fourth edition of the India Maritime Week 2025, where renowned leaders, policymakers, and maritime experts from India and abroad are expected to participate over the next 5 days. In his keynote speech, Shah highlighted India's growing maritime strength and strategic location, citing the government's efforts to increase port handling capacity and develop new mega and deep-draft ports. He also inaugurated state-of-the-art Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna at Mumbai's Mazagaon Dock. The event, organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is being held in partnership with the Indian Ports Association and will conclude on October 31.

The annual Chhath Puja festival has once again become a battleground for Delhi's political parties, with the AAP accusing the BJP-led government of creating an "artificial Yamuna" to cater to PM Modi's ceremonial dip while ordinary devotees are forced to pray in the highly-polluted river. While AAP leaders criticize BJP for disregarding the sentiments of devotees, the latter defends their preparations, citing "unprecedented arrangements" for the festival. However, as the parties argue, environmental reports continue to warn about the dangerous levels of pollution in the Yamuna, posing a serious threat to the health of devotees.