Queen Elizabeth's Insights and Reflections Queen Elizabeth II, whose full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England. She is the eldest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and belongs to the House of Windsor. Elizabeth became queen at the age of 25, following the death of her father on February 6, 1952. Her coronation took place on June 2, 1953. She is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, surpassing the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, in September 2015. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth has witnessed significant changes in the world and played a symbolic role in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Her reign has been marked by various milestones and events, including the decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the transformation of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth has been a con...
3rd century AD: The Chera, Chola, and Pandya The Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties were three of the most powerful kingdoms in southern India during the Sangam Age (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). The Cheras ruled the central and southern parts of the peninsula, the Cholas ruled the northern and eastern parts, and the Pandyas ruled the southwestern parts. The Cheras were known for their maritime trade and their control of the Malabar Coast. They were also patrons of the arts and literature, and their court was a center of learning. The Cholas were known for their military prowess and their expansionist policies. They conquered much of the Deccan Plateau and parts of Sri Lanka. The Pandyas were known for their religious and cultural achievements. They were patrons of Hinduism and Buddhism, and their temples and monasteries were some of the most beautiful in India. The three dynasties were constantly at war with each other, but they also cooperated on occasion. For example, the...