Gandhara bent bar coins A coin is a small piece of metal stamped with a value and represents the authority and trust of a ruler or state. Ancient coins are valuable historical evidence; they reflect the wealth of their time. The places from where they are unearthed help us trace ancient trade routes and political boundaries. Coins also hold the names of rulers, religious symbols, artistic styles, languages, and the culture of their period. Recently, I spent a week with Dr. Te

Discover how Bhutan transformed postage stamps into global collectibles—from 3D stamps and talking ones to steel, CD, and NFT issues. A small country with limited presence on the world stage often escapes global attention. Bhutan made itself visible to the world through its postage stamps. In the 1960s, when most nations treated stamps as simple proofs of payment, Bhutan redefined them as objects of art, innovation, and diplomacy. In this blog, I look at what sparked this cre

Most palaces in India announce their power through scale and spectacle. Padmanabhapuram Palace, in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, is the largest wooden palace in India. Crafted almost entirely from wood, it stands apart from the stone grandeur of Rajasthan palaces and the rigid symmetry of Mughal architecture. The palace features traditional courtyards, sloping tiled roofs, and shaded corridors—an architectural design shaped by climate, comfort, and everyday life needs in