In Time: Babri Masjid Demolition

1992: Mob rips apart mosque in Ayodhya

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Hindu militants have demolished the Babri Mosque and attacked other Muslim targets, in one of India's worst outbreaks of communal violence.

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> Timeline: Ayodhya crisis

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In Context

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The destruction of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya triggered some of the worst inter-communal violence since partition in 1947. More than 2,000 people died in rioting throughout India. The BJP's leader, LK Advani, resigned as leader of the opposition, accepting "moral responsibility".

He subsequently became deputy PM in the BJP government of Atal Behari Vajpayee. He was among seven Hindu leaders ordered to stand trial in 2003 for inciting violence at Ayodhya. In February 2002, one of the Hindu groups involved in the 1992 demonstration, the VHP, again called hundreds of volunteers to the site to begin construction of the temple.


> In pictures: Ayodhya attack

> Q&A: The Ayodhya dispute


About Ayodhya: Lying on the banks of the Ghaghara River just east of Faizabad, Ayodhya in ancient times was one of India's greatest cities. It was the capital of Kosala, as described in the Ramayana.

On YouTube: Demolition of Babri Masjid

AP Video: Mumbai Under Siege

Seen on: YouTube

There has been widespread international condemnation of the series of shootings across the Indian city of Mumbai in which more than 100 people have been killed.

AlJazeera Video: Mumbai Terror Attacks

Seen on: YouTube

More than 100 people are dead after a series of attacks across Mumbai, India's financial capital. Parts of the city are still under siege after the attackers stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station and a hospital.

Image Day - Taj Mahal Hotel

Fire engulfs a part of the Taj Mahal Hotel as firemen try to douse it in Mumbai, India. Teams of heavily armed gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station in co-ordinated attacks across India's financial capital, killing at least 78 people.

> Image by AP

AP Video: Mumbai Terror Attacks

Seen on: YouTube

Teams of heavily armed gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant and a crowded train station in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital Wednesday night, killing at least 78 people and taking Westerners hostage.

Links: Mumbai Terror Attacks

Related links on the appalling terror attacks in Mumbai:

• Twitter
  The death toll from the terrorists attack in Mumbai has risen to at least 87; 900 reported injured; attack still unfolding at locations.


• In pictures: Mumbai attacks
  Gunmen have launched co-ordinated attacks at several sites in the Indian city of Mumbai, killing scores. Police told people to stay inside.


• India: Terror attacks continue in Mumbai
  In what appears to be a surreal sense of reality, television channels are airing footage from various places in Southern Mumbai.


• Scores killed in Mumbai attacks
  "The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed. The encounters are still going on and we are trying to overpower them," A.N. Roy, a senior police officer, said.


• Mumbai gunmen kill 80, Western hostages taken
  "The terrorists are throwing grenades at us from the rooftop of the Taj and trying to stop us," Ashok Patil, a police inspector told Reuters.

Latest: Mumbai Terror Attacks

Shivnath Thukral reports for NDTV that fire is still being exchanged between the security forces and terrorists inside the historic Taj Hotel.

According to NDTV reports, three terrorists have been killed, while a number of gunmen remain at large inside the hotel compounds. Indian security forces are still struggling to bring the situation in control and authorities are advising people to stay away from the scene of the attacks, which include prominent city locations like the Trident Hotel.

Times Video: Mumbai Terror Strikes

Seen on: YouTube

Gunmen have carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay), killing at least 80 people and injuring 200.

Life in Kashmir

Seen on: YouTube

India is having its moment. Having shed the bonds of colonialism, years of bitter civil strife and a stagnant economy, the country boasts nine percent growth a year with a capable middle class and world-beating industry. But just beneath the veneer lies an underclass that has been left behind.

>> Kashmir Activists Don't See Guns as the Answer

Streets of Mumbai - Part two

Seen on: YouTube

In a new series for Al Jazeera, Divya Gopalan attempts to understand the real Mumbai by taking a culinary journey through its vibrant streets.

> Streets of Mumbai - Part one

Life after Cricket

When Sourav Ganguly landed in Kolkata after the Test series against Australia, he was no longer an Indian player. For Bengal, which put him on a pedestal higher than any of its other sons, an era had ended.

Now, in the quiet confines of his house in Kolkata, it's time to reflect on an unique career. It's time for life after cricket for Sourav Ganguly.

>> Dada's full interview on IBN Live

Streets of Mumbai - Part one

Seen on: YouTube

In a new series for Al Jazeera, Divya Gopalan attempts to understand the real Mumbai by taking a culinary journey through its vibrant streets.

> Streets of Mumbai - Part two

Where from here for Sourav Ganguly?

Seen on: YouTube

Some felt he couldn't play the bouncer, some laughed at his lack of athleticism, others took immense pride in his ability to galvanise a side. Sourav Ganguly's ability to polarise opinion led to one of the most fascinating dramas in Indian cricket. Yet, nobody can dispute that he was India's most successful Test captain - forging a winning unit from a bunch of talented, but directionless individuals - and nobody can argue about him being one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

India Smoking Ban

Seen on: YouTube

Up to 900,000 people die each year from smoking-related diseases in India. It is feared that the yearly toll could rise to one million people by 2010.

> Smoking curbs: The global picture

Faced with these startling figures, the government is instituting toughter smoking bans. But will it be enough? Al Jazeera's Matt McClure reports from Delhi.

Singing Policemen of Bihar - Part 2

Seen on: YouTube

Bihar in India is notorious for having the country's highest crime rate. But local police have found a novel way to fight it, building on the state's vibrant tradition of folk music, they have created a choir that sings to raise awareness of crime.

> Singing Policemen of Bihar: Part one

Singing Policemen of Bihar - Part 1

Seen on: YouTube

Bihar in India is notorious for having the country's highest crime rate. But local police have found a novel way to fight it, building on the state's vibrant tradition of folk music, they have created a choir that sings to raise awareness of crime.

> Singing Policemen of Bihar: Part two

From my prison

"Taslima Nasreen survives under the constant threat of fatwas in India and Bangladesh. But, in France she is receiving the Simone de Beauvoir prize."

>> Taslima Nasreen: The France-24 Interview

Visiting Kolkata?

What does a visitor from Bangladesh look forward to in Kolkata?

For many visitors from Bangladesh, Kolkata is the place that offers better medical care. Many are here on business. But for many visitors, it is also a pleasure trip.

“About 70% of my customers are from Bangladesh. They visit most during winter and before the Eids. Business is a little low when the tourists are not here,” says Bhupendra Saha, of Prince, a Bengali cuisine restaurant in Kolkata.

How does an average Bangladeshi tourist find the city?
“What I most enjoy about Kolkata, is the feeling that it’s a different country and a different place despite it being so close. Though my husband still says that the two Bengals should be one,” smiles Jasmine Sarkar, a Bangladeshi housewife.

> Insight from The Telegraph

"IPL, Inside and Out"

It has been described as the Indian revolution, the tournament that will change the face of cricket forever. The Indian Premier League (IPL) introduced new levels of glamour and wealth to the game as soon as its first-auction was held.

Bangalore Royal Challengers will face Kolkata Knight Riders to kick off a six-week tournament featuring most of the finest talents in the world game.

IPL team-guide

Name: Bangalore Royal Challengers

Owner: Vijay Mallya

Ground: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Coach: Venkatesh Prasad

Captain: Rahul Dravid

Star player: Jacques Kallis

Most expensive player: Rahul Dravid, US$ 1.35 mln

Total cost of squad: US$ 5,795,000

Name: Chennai Super Kings

Owner: India Cements

Ground: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Coach: Keppler Wessels

Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Star player: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Most expensive player: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, US$ 1.5 mln

Total cost: US$ 6,225,000

Name: Deccan Chargers

Owner: Deccan Chronicle

Ground: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Coach: Robin Singh

Captain: VVS Laxman

Star player: Andrew Symonds

Most expensive player: Andrew Symonds, US$ 1.35 mln

Total cost: US$ 6,105,000

Name: Delhi Daredevils

Owner: GMR Holdings

Ground: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Coach: Greg Shipperd

Captain: Virender Sehwag

Star player: Virender Sehwag

Most expensive player: Virender Sehwag, US$ 833,750

Total cost: US$ 6,372,500

Name: King's XI, Punjab

Owner: Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Karan Paul and Mohit Burman

Ground: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

Coach: Tom Moody

Captain: Yuvraj Singh

Star player: Brett Lee

Most expensive player: Yuvraj Singh, US$ 1,063,750

Total cost: US$ 6,503,750

Name: Kolkata Knight Riders

Owner: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla & Jai Mehta

Ground: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Coach: John Buchanan

Captain: Sourav Ganguly

Star player: Chris Gayle

Most expensive player: Sourav Ganguly, US$ 1,092,500

Total cost: US$ 6,222,500

Name: Mumbai Indians

Owner: Reliance Industries

Ground: Nerul, Mumbai

Coach: Lalchand Rajput

Captain: Sachin Tendulkar

Star player: Sachin Tendulkar

Most expensive player: Sachin Tendulkar, US$ 1,121,250

Total cost: US$ 5,496,250

Name: Rajasthan Royals

Owner: Emerging Media

Ground: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Coach: Shane Warne

Captain: Shane Warne

Star player: Graeme Smith

Most expensive player: Mohammad Kaif, US$ 675,000

Total cost: US$ 3,610,000

Image Day - Paanchvi Pass

Shahrukh Khan speaks to the media on the sets of his forthcoming tv-quiz show "Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?" (Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?) in Mumbai. Khan will host the show and the prize money will be $1.25 million.

> Reuters Pictures