Every date holds echoes from the past, and looking at India’s history for this calendar day reveals a fascinating blend of exploration, resistance and national achievements. One early milestone dates back to 1502, when the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set sail from Lisbon on his second voyage to India — a journey that continued to shape maritime trade and cultural exchange between Europe and South Asia.

Fast-forwarding to the 20th century, 1928 was marked by Mahatma Gandhi’s declaration of Satyagraha in Bardoli, a major turning point in the Indian freedom movement that underscored non-violent civil resistance as a powerful force against colonial rule.

Another defining moment came in 1975, when India was officially declared smallpox-free, a landmark victory in public health that stood as a global example of disease eradication ahead of many Western nations.

More recent history includes 1999, when President’s Rule was imposed in Bihar, reflecting political shifts in regional governance and the evolving nature of Indian federal politics.

Taken together, these events — from early global voyages and anti-colonial struggles to significant achievements in health and governance — showcase how India’s past on this date intersects with broader narratives of exploration, resistance and nation-building.