Most of you might be aware that India’s first printing press was set up in Goa. But how many of you know that it was also the first printing press in Asia and there is an interesting story behind the making of it? It was started by the Portuguese in 1556 while Goa was the capital of Portuguese’s India colonies.

A passenger train service started by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), a British company, between Boree Bunder station in Bombay and Tannah (now Thane) formally marked the birth of railways in India. The GIPR was India’s and Asia’s first railway. The service started on April 16, 1853, covered a distance of 34 km.

Extending the railway line from there towards Poona (Pune) was a risky task because of the steep gradients of the mountainous Bhore Ghat in the Western Ghats. Bhore Ghat stretch was said to be one of the most challenging jobs ever done by the Indian railways.

Many refused to take up the task and some gave it up after a trial. Winning over the challenges, finally it was completed in 1863. History says it wouldn’t have been possible but for the dogged efforts and sheer determination of Alice Tredwell, the wife of a renowned contractor from the United Kingdom.

The Mughals always had an eye on the Brahmaputra valley, even since the early 17th century. The first conflict between the Mughals and Ahom Kingdom (now Assam), which was part of the valley, began in 1615. The Mughals victory in this battle helped them rule part of the kingdom named Kamrup (now Guwahati and Hajo) for a while. After the fall of the Mughals empire under the reign of Shah Jahan, Pran Narayan of the Koch Bihar kingdom tried to occupy the Mughal-ruled Ahom. But the Ahom army recaptured the area by defeating Pran. During Aurangzeb’s period the Mughals took back Ahom. Later, Ahom army, strengthened under the leadership of Lachit Borphukan, won the battle of Saraighat ending the Mughal occupation of the kingdom.

The Armenian Church of Virgin Mary, situated in the Armenian Street in Parrys, Chennai, is one of the marvellous legacies Armenians, once a prosperous community in old Madras, left behind. Brimming with stories that mark the community’s life in the city, the church itself is a wonder.