The talking statues of Rome provided an outlet for a form of anonymous political expression in Rome. Criticisms in the form of poems or witticisms were posted on well-known statues in Rome, as an early instance of bulletin board. It began in the 16th century and continues to the present…

Siena retains a ward-centric culture from medieval times. Each ward (contrada) is represented by an animal or mascot, and has its own boundary and distinct identity. Siena, the product also of its historical figures, is presented here through the places that symbolise its Christian faith. Developed on and thanks to…

Xuanzang was a Chinese monk-scholar who travelled from China to India in the 7th century to study at the Nālandā Monastery, collect manuscripts of the true teachings of Buddha, and visit the sacred places associated with Buddha. Xuanzang left a detailed account of the 17 years of his journey on…

A major challenge to the Indian women’s movement has come from what is known as identity politics, that is, politics based on the question of mainly religious identity. “Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian – all religions keep women in subjugation.” In a country like India where people are deeply religious, the…