Whose wine is it, anyway?

(Based on true events)  The Story behind Shaniwar wada  (image Courtesy: Wikipedia) In order to maintain anonymity and yet give an unbiased account of what happened, I will refrain from giving names. Except of those who were directly involved.  It was a cold night, the moon was full and was witness to what happened. In fact so much blood was shed that night that the moon was defiled by stains as well. I've led armies into battles, blood is not new and not grotesque to me, and yet that night, the sight of blood stains across the galleries, the lawns and the porch were enough to render me sick.  We were all aware that Anandibai  was envious of the position held by the young Narayanrao.  We knew this because she was openly spiteful. She would demand to be given equal amount of excesses that were given to the him. She had to be told in plain words that he was the future Peshwa (provisional in charge) and that she and her children had no title or claim to the excesses, luxu...

King Alexander returned to Athens in 334BC after years of travel and exploring distant lands far from home.  His return was widely celebrated throughout the kingdom. An air of festive spirit and celebratory cheer loomed over the city.  In honour of his return, a fête was organized. Merchants displayed their wares and their young daughters. Cloth merchants showcased their collection of sequenced fabrics. Fruits sellers, bird sellers, hawkers, magicians all had something or the other to put up on display. Painters  thronged the streets too, offering to paint or sketch their customers in exchange for a fee.  Romano, a young painter, saw this as his chance to get noticed for his artistry. He displayed the best painting he had ever made, the portrait of his lover, Illeana.  He displayed the painting at the market square. A large crowd gathered around his painting to admire the empyrean beauty of the woman on the canvas. Her curly black hair fell over her sloping shoulders in the most gr...