Historical Figures of the World: It is rightly said that “ Well, that’s the thing about our past – it shapes our future”. History is an inevitable part of one’s life. Knowledge of history not only helps us in building a better understanding of things clearly. But also aids us in shaping our present and future more effectively.
There have been various personalities who have made immense contributions to our history. Their contributions have helped mankind in various aspects. Let’s know about some famous historical figures in this blog.
1. Jesus
Historical Figures of the World: Jesus or Jesus Christ is considered as the most famous historical figure in Christianity. Christians regard Jesus Christ as an incarnation of God.
As of Christianity, Jesus is considered to be born at Bethlehem. Jesus was conceived to a holy spirit and was born to a virgin Mary. Joseph was Mary’s husband and the legal father of Jesus. When eight days old, Jesus was circumcised. Jesus when a young adult of 30 was baptized by Baptist John. After that, Jesus fasted for 40 days and started delivering spiritual preachings.
Jesus was later put on trial and handed over to the Romans. Jesus was then crucified on the orders of Pontius Pilate at the age of 33. Christians believe that three days following the crucifixion, Jesus rose from the tomb and appeared to his disciples. These disciples later formed Christianity, one of the world’s largest religions.
2. William Shakespeare
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare is one of the most famous historical figures. He is also known as ‘The Bard of Avon’ and regarded as the world’s greatest English writer, poet and dramatist. His work includes around 39 plays, three long narrative poems,154 sonnets and many verses.’The Tempest’ is the last play written by William Shakespeare.
Historical Figures of the World: William Shakespeare was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He married Anne Hathaway of Stratford, who was senior to Shakespeare. With Anne, Shakespeare has three children, daughter Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. Shakespeare later worked and partly owned the theater built by the company known as Lord Chamberlain’s Men. At 49, Shakespeare retired from the theater. Shakespeare died three years post retirement in 1616.
3. Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad is regarded as a famous historical figure in Islam. He is regarded as the founder of Islam and a proclaimer of the holy Qur’ān. Muhammad is considered as the “Messenger Of God” according to Qur’ān.
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Historical Figures of the World: Muhammad was born in Mecca at around 570 in Mecca. Prophet Muhammad was the only child to Abd Allah bin Al-Muttalib and Amina bint Wahb. After losing parents at the age of six, Prophet Muhammed was taken care of by his uncle Abū Ṭālib who gave him a job at business. At the age of 25, Prophet Muhammad married 40 year old rich woman Khadījah.
With Khadījah, Muhammad had two sons and four daughters. At the age of 40, Muhammad took prophetic initiation. It was at Mount Hira near Mecca, where angel Gabriel appeared to him and taught him the verses of Sūrah. After that till 23 years the knowledge of Qur’ān was descended on Prophet Muhammad until he died at around 632.
4. Abraham Lincoln
Historical Figures of the World: The 16th President of the United States (1861-1865), Abraham Lincoln was born on 12 February 1809 near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Lincoln is regarded as the preserver of the Union during the American Civil War, who brought freedom to the slaves of the United States.
Historical Figures of the World: Lincoln was the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Lincoln had little formal education due to struggles. Lincoln then married Mary Todd, who was the only mother to his four sons. Lincoln during 1830’s and 1840’s earned a seat in the Illinois State Legislature and also worked as a reputed lawyer.
He entered into national politics in 1847 and served a single termed in the Congress. In 1860, Lincoln became the president of Republican National Convention. Lincoln was against slavery and believed that government should do what the people could not do for themselves. He fought for the freedom of the slaves of the United States. Lincoln was assassinated on 14th April 1865 by John Wilkes Booth.
5. Gautam Buddha
Siddhartha Gautam, popularly known as Gautam Buddha is the most famous historical figures in Buddhism. Gautam Buddha born in Lumbini, near Kapilvastu, Shakya is considered a famous religious leader. Buddha almost single-handedly founded the Buddhism.
Historical Figures of the World: Siddhartha Gautam or Buddha was born to Shuddhodana, the king of the Shakya clan and queen Maha Maya. Siddhartha after losing his mother after a week of his birth lived his early life as a prince. Knowing that his son would either be an ascetic or a great king (chakrawarti) from a foecaster, Shuddhodana kept Siddhartha away from all the worldly ills and gave Siddhartha a luxurious life.
It was during his carriage rides, Siddhartha encountered a sick person, then an old man and then a corpse which changed Siddhartha’s view of looking at the world. Finally Siddhartha came across an ascetic completely engrossed in finding the cause of worldly sufferings. This was the turning point in the life of Siddhartha which brought him towards spirituality. Siddhartha then lived the life of a meditation and asceticism. According to Buddhism, Siddhartha attained nirvan at Bodh Gaya, in present day India.
6. Napoleon Bonaparte
The famous French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, also known as Napoleon I is one of the famous historical figures. Napoleon acquired much of the Europe in early 19th century. He also crowned himself as the Emperor in 1804 following the conquest of France.
Historical Figures of the World: Napoleon was born in Ajaccio, on the Mediterranean Island of Corsica, on August 15, 1769. Napoleon was the second child of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Romalino Buonaparte. Napoleon took his early education in France and was a graduate from the French Military Academy.
He became second lieutenant at the age of 16. Napoleon rose to power after the French Revolution. From 1799-1804 Napoleon was chosen as the first consul of the French consulate. Then during 1804-1814 he transformed the consulate into the First French Empire and led as an Emperor. Napoleon died during an exile on May 5, 1821.
7. Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, the renaissance legend was an Italian polymath. Famous for the Mona Lisa, Da Vinci was an excellent painter, scientist, inventor, sculptor, architect, theorist and draughtsman. Da Vinci is one of the most influential and famous historical figures.
Historical Figures of the World: Born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, Da Vinci was the illegitimate son of Ser Piero and Caterina. Being in the family of painters, Leonardo was apprenticed to the famous workshop of Andrea del Verrochio. This was the place from where he started his journey of being a great painter. Da Vinci’s interest was not only limited to painting and sculpture, he was also deeply interested in science and was busy understanding the nature by observing things and cutting the bodies in his worshops, or resolving universal truths.
Da Vinci died in Cloux, France on 2nd of May, 1519.
8. Saint Kabir Ji
Kabir ji is believed to be born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Kabir Ji is regarded as one of the great poets and saints. Many of the famous works of Kabir Ji are included in Gurugranth Sahib of the Sikhs, Satguru Granth Sahib of Sant Gareeb Das Ji as well as Kabir Sagar texted by Dharamdas. Kabir ji strongly opposed the hypocrisy of both religions, Hinduism and Islam .
Historical Figures of the World: As of the birth of Kabir Ji, there are many theories. Some state that Kabir Ji was born to a widow Brahmin woman , who left Kabir ji in the lahartara pond of Varanasi from where Muslim couple Niru and Nima took Kabir Ji with them. While there is evidence and witnesses who state that Kabir Ji descended on a lotus flower in the lahartara pond from His eternal place Satlok. Rishi Ashtanand during his meditation in the Brahmamuhurt saw a light descending from the sky onto Lahartara pond. Later Ashtanand saw the reflection of a newborn child appearing before his eyes.
Historical Figures of the World: Kabir Ji was then taken by Niru and Nima, who were considered as Kabir Ji’s parents. Kabir Ji lived the life of a weaver and continued the religious reforms against the evil practices of both the Hindu and Muslim religion. Both religions opposed Kabir Ji while, but when it was the time of Kabir Ji leaving His body, both religions accepted the knowledge of Kabir Ji and wept for the loss of their peer or guru. As of the death there is no evidence supporting the death of Kabir Ji.
Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj the Reformer
Historical Figures of the World: The founder of 13th Kabir Panth, and the disciple of Saint Swami Ramdevanand Ji, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj ji is a great religious Saint. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj ji is the child of Bhakt Nandram and Indra Devi of the Jaat community. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj was born on 8th September1951 in the Dhanana Village of the Sonipat District. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj did His schooling and did a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Government Polytechnic College, Nilokheri.
Saint Rampal Ji then worked in the Haryana Irrigation Department as a Junior Engineer for about 25 years. After getting naam initiation from Saint Ramdevanand Ji on 17th February 1988, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj worked day and night on the orders of his Gurudev.
Historical Figures of the World: Later Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj resigned from his job and worked for the welfare of mankind and did satsangs and paths selflessly on the orders of his Gurudev. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj since then continued His spiritual path and till now is working for the welfare of the world.
Many Satlok Ashrams run by Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj are doing social works. Dowry free marriages, blood donation camps, body donation camps, free ambulance facilities, natural calamity relief camps, free naam initiations are some of the social works of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is a true social worker.
What is our History and From Where have we Come?
We all know that we live and die, that is, we are in the cycle of birth and death. But there seems no way out of this trap. We are bound to the 84 lakh yonis. The way out of this trap is provided only in our holy scriptures. Shrimad Bhagwad Gita Chapter 18 Shloka 62 mentions that
Tam, ev, sharnm, gachchh, sarvbhaaven, bharat,
Tatprsaadaat, paraam, shaantim, sthaanm, praapsyasi, shaashvatam ||62||
Meaning: Oh Bharat! You in every respect take refuge of that Supreme God. Only by grace of that Supreme God, you will attain supreme peace and the everlasting, sat place/dhaam/lok.
Historical Figures of the World: That Supreme God is God Kabir. Currently Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj ji is providing the true worship according to scriptures. Take name initiation from Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj to get rid of worldly sufferings, attain happiness and eternal salvation.
FAQs on Historical Figures of the World
Question: Who is considered as messenger of God ?
Answer: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is the “Messenger Of God” according to Qur’ān.
Question: What was great about Abraham Lincoln?
Answer: Lincoln is regarded as the preservor of the Union during the American Civil War, who brought freedom to the enslaved of the United States.
Question: Who was Leonardo Da Vinci?
Answer: Da Vinci was an excellent painter, scientist, inventor, sculptor, architect, theorist and draughtsman.
Question: What was the turning point in Gautam Buddha’s life?
Answer: Finally Siddhartha came across an ascetic who was completely engrossed in finding the cause of worldly sufferings. This was the turning point in the life of Siddhartha which brought him towards spirituality.
