Indian History

 20-August-1597

The first ship of the Dutch East India Company returned from Far East.

20-August-1828

Brahmo Samaj, the first movement to initiate religio-social reforms, was founded by Ram Mohun Roy (1772-1833) in Calcutta. Influenced by Islam and Christianity, Roy denounced polytheism, idol worship, repudiated the Vedas, avataras, karma and reincarnation, caste and more. The first session of Adi Brahmo Samaj was held in the rented house by Kamal Bose of Chitpore Road in Jorasanko area in Calcutta.

20-August-1885

First meeting of the Indian National Congress held.

20-August-1905

Lord George Curzon reigned as the Viceroy of India. He was then replaced by Lord Minto II, the Earl of Minto.

20-August-1909

Urmila Devi Shastri, freedom fighter, was born at Srinagar.

20-August-1915

Devraj Ars, former chief minister of Karnataka, was born.

20-August-1917

Declaration of historic 'Mongegue'.

20-August-1917

Raja Kulkarni, freedom fighter and politician, was born at Mhaswa village in Maharashra.

20-August-1921

The Mopla revolt, one of the important uprisings of India, was started at Kerala.

20-August-1933

Mahatma Gandhi is rushed to the hospital on the fourth day of his latest fast.

20-August-1944

Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and Bharat Ratna awardee, was born in Bombay.

20-August-1955

Jawaharlal Nehru breaks off relations with the Portuguese after the invasion of Goa by Indian nationalists.

20-August-1969

Varahagiri Venkata Giri was elected President and G. S. Pathak as Vice President of India.

20-August-1974

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed elected President of India with B. D. Jatti as Vice President.

20-August-1979

Indian premier Charan Singh resigns.

20-August-1985

Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, a ragi, reluctant politician and Sikh leader, died. He was shot by Sikh extremists at Sherpur.

20-August-1986

A restructured 20-point programme announced.

20-August-1988

Earthquake measuring 6.5 on Richter Scale strikes India and Nepal. Thousands killed.

20-August-1991

India's Ambassador to Romania J.F.Ribeiro shot by Sikh extremists in Bucharest.

20-August-1991

Indian Oil Executive Director K. Doraiswamy released after 52 days of being in the custody of Kashmir ultras.

20-August-1991

Sivarasan and Subha, the main suspects in Rajiv Gandhi case, commit suicide in Bangalore.

20-August-1993

Mother Teresa hospitalized for malaria.

20-August-1995

305 killed and 345 injured in collision between Purushottam Express and Kalindi Express at Murlinagar near Firozabad (UP).

20-August-1995

India and China decide to withdraw four army battalions from Chu Sumdurong valley near the Line of Actual Control.

20-August-1995

Indira Mahila Vikas Yojana launched.

20-August-1996

India defeat Pakistan in Under-15 World Challenge Final at Lord's, England.

20-August-1997

Lata Mangeshkar receives the Fifth Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award from the President.

20-August-1997

Arun Gawli, Mumbai underworld don, arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of a builder.

20-August-1997

Premananda, self-styled godman, sentenced by Pudukottai district and sessions court to  life imprisonment for two terms and a fine of Rs. 66.4 lakhs for rape of 13 inmates of his ashram and murder of a male inmate.

20-August-1998

The Punjab and Haryana High Court upholds the conviction of former Punjab DGP K.P.S. Gill for outraging the modesty of an IAS officer Mrs. Rupan Deol Bajaj.