HISTORY

Politics: Foundations of Civilization-
A Mesopotamian Inquiry and a Counterfactual Exploration of Global Governance ~ Manan Agarwal

Civilization, often viewed as a product of progress and organized society, finds its earliest roots in the fertile lands of Mesopotamia. This article explores the foundational elements of politics through the lens of Mesopotamian history, delving into how early governance systems shaped societal order. By examining the rise of city-states, legal codes like Hammurabi’s, and theocratic rule, it not only traces the birth of political structures but also ventures into a counterfactual exploration—what if these ancient models had influenced global governance today? 

Beyond He and She: A Human History of Identity - Manan Agarwal

This human history of identity explores how gender has been perceived across different eras and cultures, from fluid prehistoric roles and ancient sacred expressions to modern-day struggles for self-definition. It reveals that gender has rarely been a fixed binary, constantly challenging societal norms and power structures.

What aspects of historical gender diversity surprise you most, and how do they challenge your understanding of identity today?

Laughter That Survived: The Story of Jewish Humour - Sanjana, Divyanshi and Manan

Laughter is often treated as a fleeting joy, a momentary escape from life's burdens. Yet for the Jewish people, it became something far greater-a language of survival. From the kitchens of shtetls to the stages of Broadway, humour carried memory, resilience, and defiance across centuries of exile and persecution. This article traces that remarkable journey: how wit softened the weight of tragedy, how irony turned oppression into resistance, and how comedy transformed from whispered jokes in Yiddish to the sharp voices of modern global culture. In exploring Jewish humour, we uncover not just laughter, but the enduring spirit of a people who found freedom in a smile when the world offered none.