Toyota Etios
The Etios has been a decent success for Toyota but now with the likes of the Chevrolet Sail and the soon-to-be-launched Honda Amaze, the Etios is facing a big threat. The new Etios launched will take care of that. The new Etios has a redesigned grille with chrome finish, rear combination lamps plus new indicators on side view mirrors. There is also a new colour called classic grey. The front for example has the huge ‘smile’ grille and clear lens headlamps. The running side spoiler, clean side lines and the running chrome lip on the boot go a long way in adding flair to the design. The interiors on the other hand are truly one of the strongest selling points of the Etios. When it comes to changes there is a two tone look with a textured dashboard, soft fabric and ash brown colour. Features wise you get a new 2 Din audio with Bluetooth, USB, Aux- In and remote, driver seats comes with height adjust, combimeter with new blue illumination and new AC control panel with clean air filters. The interiors are, without a doubt, the most practical and spacious of the lot in this price range and make the car feel like a much bigger segment vehicle on several occasions. The Etios can seat five adults in utter comfort while keeping all their individuals bottles in addition to two more, at a handy distance. Further it gets a huge 13-litre glovebox to keep more bottles chilled. The Etios is now powered by two engine options. The petrol is the best in class 1.5-litre unit which is basically Toyota’s 2NR-FE unit but does without the VVTi technology to keep costs low. It not only puts out a very healthy 90PS of power, but at the same time, the car being as light as a premium hatchback means it’s power to weight ratio is better than the competition. The company also claims an ARAI fuel efficiency figure of 17.6kmpl which is astonishing for a car of this class and with an engine so potent. However the one that will be selling like hot cakes is the new diesel version that comes with the same D-4D motor as found on the Altis though in the Etios, to cut costs, it does away with the variable geometry turbo and has a fixed one instead. The maximum power is 68PS while the peak torque stands at 170Nm. It also has a fantastic ARAI rated fuel economy of 23.59kmpl which means you will easy get around 17-18kmpl in real world conditions. Both the petrol and diesel engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The suspension set-up is on the softer side to ensure a better ride and comfort factor for the Indian families than for hitting the twisties on weekends. The car responds sharply to the driver’s inputs and its ability to zip through traffic is remarkable. It would be safe to say that overall drive dynamics and vehicle behaviour are neutral. The diesel line up will now have
The earliest reference to Mandu is available in the Sanskrit inscription of 555 AD, which tells that Mandu was a fortified city even in 6th century BC. It gained prominence in 10th and 11th century under the Parmars (who called it Mandavgarh), from whom the control was snatched by Khiljis in 1305.Mandav or Mandu's was earlier known by the name of "Shadiabad" meaning the city of happiness (Anand Nagari), the name was given by then ruler Allauddin Khilji. Mandu city is situated at an elevation of 633 metres (2079 feet) and extends for 13 km (8.1 mi) along the crest of the Vindhya Range, overlooking the plateau of Malwa to the north and the valley of the Narmada River to the south. These acted as natural defences and Mandu was originally the fort-capital of Rajput Parmara rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 11th century, it came under the sway of the Taranga kingdom.
In the 10th century Mandu was founded as a fortress retreat by Raja Bhoj. It was conquered by the Muslim rulers of Delhi in 1304. When Timur captured Delhi in 1401, the Afghan Dilawar Khan, governor of Malwa, set up his own little kingdom and the Ghuri dynasty was established. And thus began Mandu's golden age.
His son, Hoshang Shah, shifted the capital from Dhar to Mandu and raised it to its greatest splendour. Hoshang's son, Mohammed, the third and last ruler of Ghuri dynasty ruled for just one year He was poisoned by the militaristic Mohammed Khalji, who established the Khilji dynasty and went on to rule for the next 33 years. He was succeeded by his son, Ghiyas-ud-din in 1469 and ruled for the next 31 years. Ghiyas-ud-din was a pleasure seeker and devoted himself to women and song. He had a large harem and built the Jahaz Mahal for housing the women, numbering thousands, of his harem. Ghiyas-ud-din was poisoned, aged 80, by Nasir-ud-din, his own son.
Humayun
Sher Shah Suri
In 1526, Mahmud II the sixth Khalji ruler made no resistance against the invading Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who conquered Mandu March 28, 1531. In 1530 Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, succeeded Babur. Babur had established the Mughal dynasty. Humayun had two major rivals: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri. Humayun was engaged in a war with Sher Shah Suri when he learned of an imminent attack by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who was being aided by the Portuguese. With an unusual swiftness Humayun attacked and defeated Bahadur Shah. Thus in 1534 Mandu came under Humayun's rule. Humayun fancied Mandu so he relaxed here for a brief, peaceful interlude Humayun lost the kingdom to Mallu Khan, an officer of the Khalji dynasty. Ten more years of feuds and invasions followed and in the end Baz Bahadur emerge in the top spot.By this time Humayun had been defeated by Sher Shah Suri and had fled India. Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 and his son Islam Shah died in 1553. Islam Shah's 12 year old son Feroz Khan became the king but was killed by Adil Shah Suri within 3 days. Adil Shah appointed Hemu, also known as 'Hemu Vikramaditya' as his Chief of Army and Prime Minister. Hemu had a rapid rise during Sur regime. A grain supplier to Sher Shah Suri's army and then Chief of Intelligence or Daroga-i-Chowki (Superintendent of Post) under Islam Shah, he became the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan Army (Sher Shah Suri's army) under the reign of Adil Shah Suri. Adil Shah Suri was an incompetent ruler and many rebellions occurred against his rule. Hemu was sent to quell these rebellions. During this period Hemu attacked Mandu also and Baz Bahadur ran away from Mandu. Hemu appointed his own Governor here.
During this period Humayun had returned to India and in 1555 was again the emperor. In 1556 Humayun died after falling while descending a staircase.
Mughal forces led by Adham Khan, enter the fort of Baz Bahadur of Malwa, 1561, Akbarnama ca 1590-95.
The Defeat of Baz Bahadur of Malwa by the Mughal troops, while Rani Roopmati, and her female companions, view the scene from the terrace of the fort. 1561- Akbarnama, ca 1590-95
Hemu was in Bengal at the time and sensing an opportunity attacked Mughals. Soon Agra, Bihar, Eastern UP, Madhya Pradesh were all won and on 6 October 1556 he won Delhi, defeating Akbar's forces, and had his coronation at Purana Quila, the next day. Akbar defeated and killed Hemu in the second Battle of Panipat on November 7, 1556. In 1561, Akbar's army led by Adham Khan and Pir Muhammad Khan attacked Malwa and defeated Baz Bahadur in the battle of Sarangpur on 29 March 1561. One of the reasons for Adham Khan's attack seems to be his love for Rani Roopmati. Rani Roopmati poisoned herself to death on hearing the news of fall of Mandu. Baz Bahadur fled to Khandesh. Akbar, soon recalled Adham Khan and made over command to Pir Muhammad. Pir Muhammad attacked Khandesh and proceeded up to Burhanpur but he was defeated by a coalition of three powers: Miran Mubarak Shah II of Khandesh, Tufal Khan of Berar and Baz Bahadur. Pir Muhammad died while retreating. The confederate army pursued the Mughals and drove them out of Malwa. Baz Bahadur regained his kingdom for a short period. In 1562, Akbar sent another army led by Abdullah Khan, the Uzbeg, which finally defeated Baz Bahadur. He fled to Chittor. Baz Bahadur remained a fugutive at a number of courts till he surrenedered in November, 1570 to Akbar at Nagaur. He joine
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