Category Career Queries

What do we know about the Copper Revolution of Russia?

Not only historical ages, but some revolutions too were named after metals. Here is the story of one such revolution.

In 1662, Russia was in a state of unrest. The people were exhausted after a lengthy war with Poland and Sweden. In addition to that, Russians were faced with frequent crop failures, as a result of which, heavy taxes were imposed by the Czar, or ruler of Russia. It was during this time that the Russian government decided to begin issuing copper money in large quantities instead of silver money, which was already in existence.

The replacement of silver coins was followed by a sharp rise in the prices of bread and other foodstuff. Needless to say, the people of Russia were infuriated by the changing social situations. They rioted in response to the changes on July 25 1662, but the Czar put down the riots with an iron hand. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands were either sent to prison or exiled to Siberia.

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Was copper used to treat diseases?

Don’t be surprised to learn that copper has medicinal properties. In fact, copper is used in some of the traditional medicines across the world.

Many forms of copper and copper compounds, such as copper carbonate, copper silicate, copper oxide, copper sulphate and copper chloride were used throughout history for the treatment of disease. In ancient Egypt, copper was used to purify drinking water. Copper was also used to sterilize wounds, the treatment of headaches, trembling of the limbs, burns, and itching. The Greeks used copper for treating leg ulcers associated with varicose veins, while the Romans used it to purge stomach ache and treat ear and eye disorders.

Copper was chosen to make jewellery considering their health benefits. For many years, copper jewellery was worn as a remedy for various ailments, including arthritis. Many scholars across the world are still researching about the healing properties of copper.

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What are the reasons for copper being widely used?

Copper is one of the most used metals right from the beginning of civilizations. Copper had many qualities that were ideal for making tools, utensils and weapons.

This reddish brown metal is malleable and does not react with water or steam. It does not react with the oxygen in the air either, unless heated strongly. Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity. That is why copper is used to make wires and utensils. Copper is used to make coins as well.

Copper is an indispensable metal in the electronic industry. In fact, almost all electrical devices rely on copper wiring because copper is inexpensive and highly conductive. Copper is mixed with other metals to make alloys with desirable properties.

The number of alloys made with copper is ever growing. Nowadays, copper is mixed with zinc, tin, aluminium, lead, silicon, manganese, cadmium and even chromium to make alloys.

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Why was the discovery of copper turning point in human history?

The discovery of copper opened up new possibilities for humans. Copper exists in nature in the shape of nuggets. Gold and silver occur in the same shape, but they are very rare. Copper on the other hand is widely distributed and readily available.

Copper can easily be worked into different shapes. This was the reason why copper was preferred by the early humans. It was easy to make tools and weapons out of copper and they lasted longer than those made out of stone. They were much lighter than the stone toots as well. Moreover, copper tools could be sharpened again and again, so that they remained as good as new.

Early humans started with learning to extract copper from ores. Later their technology advanced; they began mixing copper with zinc to create an alloy called bronze, thus ushering a period known as the Bronze Age. 

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The gold fields, said to have been among the deepest goldmines, in which mining region in India were shut down in 2001?

In the southern Indian state of Karnataka, about two hours away from the city of Bangalore is a region called Kolar Gold Fields.

A hub of activity for over a century, the mines here shut in 2001 when gold prices fell to unprofitable levels.

Bharat Gold Mines Limited used to own the lease to mine an area that was about 16km long by 3km wide.

It was shut down nearly a decade ago as it became too expensive to continue operations.

With the growth of the gold mines requiring more labour, people from the Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem and North and South Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu and the Chittoor and Ananthapur districts of Andhra Pradesh settled nearby; the settlements began to form the outskirts of K.G.F. The well-to-do families of British and Indian engineers, geologists, and mine supervisors lived in the centre of town. Two townships, Robertsonpet and Andersonpet, are named after two British mine officials.

The establishment of BEML Limited expanded the city, providing employment and attracting new residents.

 

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Who was the second eldest of the Kauravas?

Kaurava is a Sanskrit term for the descendants of King Kuru (or simply Kurava in Tamil), a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mah?bh?rata. The well-known Kauravas are Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna, Yuyutsu and Dussala. Yuyutsu is not the son of Gandhari. But he is the same age of Duryodhana and Bhima.

The name Kaurava comes from the lineage of Dhritarashtra’s ancestor Kuru, a dynamic king and ruler of the earth to all its corners, hence the heirs of the Kuru lineage termed as Kauravas, which for instance, also includes the five Pandavas and the later discovered sixth Pandava, Karna. Since Pandu could not continue to remain the king of Hastinapur due to a curse, Dhritarashtra, his cousin-brother was made the king. Pandu’s five sons chose to be called Pandava and not Kaurava. Dhritarashtra was blind from birth while Gandhari being a women of strong conviction and wanting to suffer her husband’s share of blindness, covered her eyes by tying a silk robe when she married him which she would only open at her death. In addition to the 100 Kauravas, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari were also blessed with a single daughter called Dussala. 

After Yudhishthira lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife Draupadi, in a game of dice with Shakuni, Duhshasana dragged Draupadi by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother Duryodhana, and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to Krishna and he made her sari to be of infinite length, so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dussasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However,Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with blood of Duhshasana. Bhima, who could no longer watch Draupadi’s insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana’s chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.

 

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