12th FEBRUARY 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi script found in Egyptian pyramid tombs
- A total of 30 inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi and Prakrit have been found in rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Egypt.
- The study, conducted by researchers from Switzerland and France, provides further evidence of ancient trade links between India and the Middle Eastern country of Egypt around 2,000 years ago.
- Of the inscriptions found in 6 tombs, 20 are in Tamil and the remaining 10 are in Sanskrit and Prakrit. This suggests that people from many parts of India traveled to Egypt, to trade spices and other goods in the Valley of the Kings within its ancient capital, Thebes, between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.
- This information was revealed by Professor Ingo Strauch from Switzerland and Professor Charlotte Schmidt from Paris, France, at the International Conference on Tamil Inscriptions organized by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.
- The name of a Tamil merchant named 'Sikai Kotran' has been found 8 times in 5 different pyramids. One of the inscriptions reads 'Sikai Kotran - Vara Kanda' (Sikai Kotran came and saw).
- This is the first direct evidence that Tamil merchants crossed the sea to Egypt during the Roman period and from there traveled inland.
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given in-principle approval to a mega deal worth around Rs. 3.25 lakh crore to upgrade India's air defence to world-class standards.
- In this meeting chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, a historic decision was taken to purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets.
- The Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kanpur, for the procurement of 8 Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard at a cost of Rs 2,312 crore. The deal was signed in New Delhi on 12 February 2026 under the chairmanship of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- This is expected to increase the production of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and generate direct and indirect employment, and support MSMEs and related industries. The deal strengthens the central government's schemes of Self-reliant India and Make in India.
