New Delhi, December 8: December 9 holds a tragic memory in history, marked by a devastating fire at Kolkata’s AMRI Hospital in 2011. The blaze claimed the lives of approximately 90 patients. The fire, which began in the hospital's basement, quickly engulfed the entire building. While many patients were evacuated to safety, several succumbed to suffocation.

Here’s a timeline of other notable events that occurred on this day in history:

• 1946: Sonia Gandhi was born in Italy.
• 1946: The first session of the Constituent Assembly of India was held at the Library Hall of the Council Chamber in New Delhi. The Muslim League boycotted the meeting, demanding a separate Constituent Assembly for Pakistan.
• 1961: Tanganyika gained independence, with Julius Nyerere becoming its first Prime Minister. In 1964, it merged with Zanzibar to form Tanzania.
• 1979: The World Health Organization officially declared the eradication of smallpox, ten years after launching a global campaign against this deadly disease.
• 1987: England cricket captain Mike Gatting and umpire Shakoor Rana had a heated argument during the second Test match in Pakistan, delaying the second day's play.
• 1992: Prince Charles and Princess Diana formally announced their separation. Their royal wedding on July 29, 1981, had been watched by an estimated one billion people worldwide.
• 2011: The AMRI Hospital fire in Kolkata resulted in one of the deadliest hospital disasters in India, claiming the lives of nearly 90 patients.

This date serves as a reminder of both progress and tragedy, offering lessons from history while commemorating pivotal moments.

London, May 26 (IANS) Erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan's 'Bedchamber Sword' had sold for more than 14 million pounds ($17 million) at an auction in London.

Described as "one of the world's rare artefacts", the sword's sale was conducted by Bonhams -- a privately owned international auction house in London -- on Tuesday, achieving 14,080,900 pounds against an estimate of 1.5 million to 2 million pounds.

The auction house said the sword was found in Tipu Sultan's private quarters of his palace after he was killed by British forces on May 4, 1799.

Following his death, the sword was presented to British Major General David Baird as a token of his courage, according to Bonhams.

The auction house said that the sword's "extremely rare calligraphic hilt is a masterpiece of late-18th century Indian manufacture, intricately inlaid in gold with fine calligraphic invocations to God".

"The English inscription to the blade, presumably added by Baird or a descendant, explains how it was found in Tipu Sultan's bedchamber following the fall of Seringapatam (now Srirangapatna) and presented to the General as a trophy of his victory."

On the spine of the blade, a gold inlaid inscription reads 'Shamshir-e Malik' or 'The Sword of the King'.

"The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship," CNN quoted Nima Sagharchi, group head of Islamic and Indian Art at Bonhams, as saying in the statement.

"It was no surprise it was so hotly contested between two phone bidders and a bidder in the room. We are delighted with the result," he added.

According to Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra, the "spectacular sword is the greatest of all the weapons linked to Tipu Sultan still in private hands".

"Its close personal association with the Sultan, its impeccable provenance traceable to the very day it was captured, and the outstanding craftsmanship that went into its manufacture make it unique and highly desirable," he added.

Rajkot, India – On World Theater Day, celebrated on March 27, a fascinating piece of history has emerged from the ancient city of Junagadh. The world's first and oldest theater has been found within a Buddhist cave located in the historic Uparkot Fort of Junagadh.

The city's name, Junagarh, is derived from the old fort, which houses many historical treasures. Among these is the Buddhist cave currently under the control of the Archaeological Department of the Center. Archaeologists Rasesh Zamindar and Ravi Hajarnish have noted that while the cave may have initially been carved for Buddhist activities, further research indicates it was used for theatrical purposes by high-ranking dignitaries.

The cave's architectural form suggests it may have been known as Pramod Bhavan or Rang Bhavan. It features an open square for dance and drama performances on the ground floor, special seating for royalty or dignitaries, a beauty room for performers, seating arrangements, and an abundance of natural light.

The Kshatrapas, who ruled the region from the 1st to 4th century AD, are believed to have carved the cave during their reign. This discovery solidifies the cave's status as the oldest known Rang Bhawan. Evidence supporting this claim includes a figurative 

couple on a pillar and the expressive faces of male and female pairs admiring the art within the cave.

The State Archaeological Department first mentioned these findings in 1995 in a booklet about Uparkot, authored by C.M. Atri, as well as in an article by Dinkar Mehta. The discovery of the world's oldest theater in Junagadh's Uparkot Fort sheds light on the rich cultural and historical significance of the region, drawing attention to its unique and ancient past.

As interest in this groundbreaking discovery grows, it is expected that researchers will continue to study the ancient theater and its role in the lives of the dignitaries who once frequented it. This newfound knowledge also serves to underscore the importance of preserving and studying historical sites to better understand and appreciate the evolution of human culture and art over time.