PM Modi Praises Mumbai’s Krishna Seshadri for Making Indian History Interactive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the work of Mumbai-based Krishna Seshadri, who has created an interactive website to help people explore India’s history through maps and timelines.Speaking during the 137th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi said he came across Seshadri’s initiative on social media and found the concept interesting. He then spoke to Seshadri over the phone during the programme about the idea behind BharatRajya.com.The website allows users to select a year and see which rulers and kingdoms controlled different parts of the Indian subcontinent during that period. BharatRajya describes itself as an interactive historical atlas and currently provides historical information through maps, regional details and timelines.

Why Seshadri created the website

During his conversation with Modi, Seshadri said his interest grew from the way Indian history is commonly taught. He felt that while some major empires receive considerable attention, several other important dynasties and regional powers are less familiar to the wider public.He specifically referred to the Cholas, Pallavas, Karkota dynasty of Kashmir and the Ahoms of Assam, saying the website was intended to introduce people to a broader range of India's historical kingdoms.Seshadri is not a history teacher by profession. His project brings together his interest in history and technology, an approach Modi also noted while speaking with him.

A website that accepts corrections from users

One feature that particularly caught Modi's attention was the website's option for users to submit corrections and suggestions.Seshadri explained that users send two broad types of suggestions — corrections to historical information and ideas for new features. He said some suggestions have already led to changes on the platform, including expanding information to the regional level and developing features that make historical data easier to share and explore.BharatRajya also says its historical material is curated from cited sources and supplemented by Wikipedia. The website currently includes information covering numerous districts and historical periods.

Which historical figures would Seshadri like to meet

Modi also asked Seshadri which three people from Indian history he would choose to speak with if given the opportunity.Seshadri named Rajendra Chola or Rajaraja Chola, Hemu, and Tribhuvana Mahadevi. He said he would particularly like to understand the vision and planning behind major Chola monuments and learn more about historical figures whose contributions he believes deserve wider attention.

No forced MP-CG angle

The initiative has a broad Indian historical focus and does not have a direct Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh government or administrative connection. However, the website does include district-level historical material, including references to Agar in Madhya Pradesh, among its district entries.The broader significance of the initiative lies in its attempt to make historical information easier to explore digitally rather than presenting history only as a conventional chronological narrative.Modi ended the interaction by praising Seshadri's effort and urged people to share information about others undertaking innovative initiatives in their communities.