Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

*Recently discovered journals reveal the luxurious yet isolated lives of European women in Bengal during the early days of British rule* By Historical News Team | Sanskrit Saga Long before air conditioning, modern transportation, or digital communication, British women in 18th century Calcutta lived lives of extraordinary luxury and idleness—all made possible by armies of…

*Recently discovered European accounts reveal the extraordinary security measures and culinary sophistication that surrounded the Mughal emperors’ meals* By Historical News Team | Sanskrit Saga Long before modern food safety protocols or security measures for world leaders, the Mughal emperors of India had developed an elaborate system of culinary security and ceremony that would rival…

*By Historical News Network Staff | May 20, 2025* A Portuguese merchant’s detailed account of life in the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire offers a rare glimpse into what was once described as “the best-provided city in the world” during its golden age. Domingo Paes, who visited the empire between 1520-1522 during the reign…

In a series of remarkable letters that provide a rare window into daily life in Mughal India, Italian nobleman and composer Pietro Della Valle has documented his extensive travels along India’s western coast during 1623-1624, revealing a society characterized by religious tolerance, moral strictness, and extraordinary compassion toward animals. ## A Romantic’s Journey to the…

In a remarkable series of travelogues that provide unprecedented insights into the splendor and complexity of the Mughal Empire at its zenith, French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier has documented his extensive journeys throughout India between 1638 and 1668. ## Abundance Amid Ordinary Life Contrary to European perceptions of distant lands as places of scarcity, Tavernier…

In a remarkable account that provides a rare window into the daily lives of people during the height of the Mughal Empire, Venetian traveler Niccolao Manucci has documented the vibrant social tapestry of 17th century India through the eyes of a curious European observer. ## Cultural Diversity in Dress and Appearance Manucci, who arrived in…