Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 November 3

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Narasaraja Wodeyar I

The Kingdom of Mysore (1399–1947) was a kingdom of southern India, traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. The kingdom, which was ruled by the Wodeyar family, initially served as a vassal state of the Vijayanagara Empire. Around 1565, the kingdom became independent. The 17th century saw a steady expansion of its territory and, under Narasaraja Wodeyar I (pictured) and Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, the kingdom annexed large expanses of what is now southern Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu to become a powerful state in the southern Deccan. It reached the height of its military power and dominion in the latter half of the 18th century under the de facto ruler Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. During this time, it came into conflict with the Marathas, the British and the Nizam of Hyderabad which culminated in the four Anglo-Mysore wars. The British restored a subsidiary alliance, and a diminished Mysore was now transformed into a Princely state until Indian independence in 1947. The Mysore kings were not only accomplished exponents of the fine arts and men of letters; they were enthusiastic patrons as well, and their legacies continue to influence music and art even today. (Read the full article...)

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Ajanta cave painting by Robert Gill

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  • In the news

    Hurricane Sandy on October 29
  • The Walt Disney Company announces an agreement to purchase Lucasfilm for US$4.05 billion and produce additional Star Wars films.
  • After striking the Caribbean, Hurricane Sandy (satellite image pictured) causes widespread damage on the East Coast of the United States, including flooding in parts of New York City.
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  • On this day...

    November 3: Culture Day in Japan

    Battle of Vyazma monument

  • 1812French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma (monument pictured).
  • 1942World War II: U.S. Marines and U.S. Army forces began an attempt to encircle and destroy a regiment of Imperial Japanese Army troops.
  • 1957 – The Soviet Union launched the Sputnik 2 spacecraft, carrying Laika the Russian space dog as the first living creature from Earth to enter orbit.
  • 1967Vietnam War: A series of major engagements that were some of the hardest-fought and bloodiest battles of the war began at Đắk Tô in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
  • 1996Abdullah Çatlı, a drug trafficker, a contract killer, and a leader of the ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party, was killed in a car crash near Susurluk, Balıkesir Province, Turkey, sparking the Susurluk scandal which exposed the depth of the state's complicity in organized crime.

    More anniversaries: November 2 November 3 November 4

    It is now November 3, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page
  • Today's featured picture

    Carniolan honey bee

    The Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to the Balkans and surrounding areas. It is adapted to the Kočevje sub-region of Carniola (now in Slovenia). It is the second most popular among beekeepers (after the Italian bee).

    Photo: Richard Bartz

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