What Francois Gautier has written is perhaps true - perhaps not. I don't know. But what I do know is that such articles can provoke passions amongst certain sections of society which are best left untouched. Or worse, vested interests can use such articles and exhibitions, to arouse support or opposition just to further their vested interests- with often violent consequences.
Does that mean we should never talk about these issues. Ofcourse we should. But do it in manner which makes your point without arousing such passions. If the same exhibition also had an equal area devoted to Akbar and his attempts at secularism, or if the same exhibition also showed how the ties between India and Persia helped develop Indian science and maths - perhaps your motives would not be questioned and perhaps your assertions about Aurangzeb would be more convincing as they would not have to pass through the "check-his-motives" filter.
As they say about justice - not only does it need to be fair, it also should appear to be fair.
RE:But why?
by bala sreenivasan on Feb 16, 2007 03:01 PM Permalink
Yours is a typical elitistic response. It reflects the popular mindset nurtured by vote-bank politics. a review of Indian history should be undertaken only after the Muslims give their stamp of approval! wonderful! Here is some vocabularyu currently in currency in India Obscene depiction of Hindu gods through paintings and films- is creative freedom! Fatwas against Salman Rushdie or Tasleema- secular reactions of a devout religious group! Being terrorist friendly- is human right offered by democracy! Godhra-communal frenzy Kashmir-is freedom struggle! Narender Modi-is a communal demon! Afzal Guru-an innocent man found guilty by the judiciary Keep it up, Anuj!
RE:But why?
by Saurav Basu on Feb 16, 2007 03:16 PM Permalink
The arabs copied Indian numericals and zero; and you have the audacity to claim that Indians developed their math through persian sources....Shame on you!
RE:give the correct one dont add some thing
by rom areo on Feb 16, 2007 02:19 PM Permalink
Im kind of big fan of Francois Gautier articles, and i believed in his research on his articles, though i would love to check his references myself.... But i want to know which part are you questioning, just for curiousity. One thing is for sure that what history we learn in our school days was just one face of the multi facet folklore of Indian history. May be you can help shed some light on unknown facts.
RE:give the correct one dont add some thing
by shubhabrata basu on Feb 16, 2007 02:26 PM Permalink
WHO ARE YOU - Mr. History. The beauty of history is that it does not recognise sides. So do consider actively about "REAL HISTORY COMING TO YOU"
What is wrong is saying that Aurangazeb was bad ruler. What is wrong in saying Auragazeb was extremist?
As it is now well known fact that Hindu society does not support all extremist Hindu leaders, likewise, is it wrong to expect that muslim community should not support extremism?
If Aurangzeb was bad, he was bad, there's s proof for it, period. Despite you are hindu, muslim, sikh, the fact does not change.
It is now for entire Indian society to grow up and keep all nonsense behind. Restrict religion to your home itself. Let's not let our religions to be over-sensitive.
Be human. Sachchar report says that Majority of Muslim cmmunity is uneducated and unemployed. What Muslim Leaders are doing for them? Isn't it imperative to address social issues of Muslim communities rather than fueling religios sentiments in poors? It is for Muslin community to understand this double standard and not to fall into the trap of politicians. It is for everyone's benifite if we keep our religious sentiment aside and focus on personal growth like good education, good employment and good social habits. It is something you can do without help of politicians.
Thankfully, very few hindus are supporting extremism. I certianly wish, hope and pray to see the same thing in Muslim society.
RE:It is good that we are aware of the
by prashant pendurkat on Feb 16, 2007 02:13 PM Permalink
areeeee bhadvya, under so called hindu extremists the muslims population has reached from 15 % to 20% in india, and under muslim etremists hindu population has decreased from 15 % to 5% in bangladesh, 4% to 1% in pakistan .aaizavdya difference samajhla ka hindu and muslim extremism madhye
RE:RE:It is good that we are aware of the
by prashant sharma on Feb 16, 2007 02:30 PM Permalink
What you say is absolutely right. Lekin zara pyaar se bol, tere saare posts hata denge yeh log! saale sab pseudo secular bhare hue hain media mein. inko inhi ke weapon se marna seekh.
RE:RE:It is good that we are aware of the
by Ashish Chaskar on Feb 16, 2007 03:24 PM Permalink
Bete Prashant, India was NEVER ruled by Hindu extremists. It was congress that ruled India.:-)
Whatever you call Congress, your wish, but Hindu Extremist never ruled India. That is remote possibility. In fact, no extremist can rule India. But surely, all you have right given by the constitution to DREAM! However, what you dream, reflects your attitude. :) I am happy that you guys are in minority. (Please give them reservations!!! ha ha ha)
We cannot afford to lose sight of earlier deeds as rightly told by this author. But at the same time, we should not react for the misdeeds of a despot who lived few centuries ago. This should be the eye opener to all our Muslim brothers. They should think twice before calling other religions and its followers as kafirs, lest they know the depth of all the religions. Religion is man's creation, and man takes refuge there to seek solace for his everyday actions which are good or bad. Religion is mass feelings at that. When you find the exixtence of vaccum, you think of other religions. Hinduism is not a religion of just ONE BOOK or of ONE PERSON's thoughts. It is the religion of mass feelings. WE see gods in nature and worship nature in all its forms and existences. Our muslim brothers should stop worrying about other religions and start to learn peacefully with others.
For politicians who preach a convenient brand of "secularism" it is okay to corrupt history and make a virtue out of villainy of the worst kind.. and the likes of Aurangzeb, Mahmoud Ghazni and Ghori, Babar and Genghiz Khan represent the worst kind of Mughals, they are the rule among Muslim rulers rather than exceptions. The real exception is only Akbar at the most..
Even TajMahal was ancient Shiva Temple, which was destroyed by Muslims like many other temples & made into graves. Need to explore history... http://www.stephen-knapp.com/was_the_taj_mahal_a_vedic_temple.htm I hope rediff has guts to post this comment.
RE:much more to explore
by irshad ahmed on Feb 16, 2007 02:10 PM Permalink
Now you guys will claim that The holy Kabah will also a hindu temple....what rubbish.
RE:RE:much more to explore
by Jarnail singh on Feb 16, 2007 02:30 PM Permalink
irshaad sahab tell me one thing. aurangzeb is a role model for you or not. do he was really following the teachings of islam or he was just fanatic and power greedy who killed his father and elder brother. how this man can be a role model for muslims. it pained me whenever i have to go via aurangzeb road. he was killer of our gurus their son and thousands of sikhs. how a road can be named to a killer. if tomorrow any one will try to name any road to modis name i will oppose that too. murderer of innocents should not be honoured.
RE:RE:much more to explore
by irshad ahmed on Feb 16, 2007 02:25 PM Permalink
I think you and the person who discovered this phenomenal work should be awarded nobel for this mind blowing discovery. You did a great job...ha ha ha.. what next is there in your gossiping anti muslim agenda?
RE:RE:much more to explore
by achumamman on Feb 16, 2007 02:33 PM Permalink
try to accept historical facts........accept that ur forefathers were hindus.....dont be ashamed of ur own forefathers......they were converted at gunpoint.....learn to take pride in our culture ...dont blindly follow arabian culture.........
The spirit of Gautier in the article capture the true essence of Sanatana tradition. Unlike some elements of Hindutva forces who want to reply Islamic injustice of the medieval era in similar fashion, this approach shows the right path. These Hindutva elements for immediate gains have played in the hands of the anti-hindu sentiments and in the process have discredited the whole tradition. May such people first get the light of truth and wisdom. Nothing can be said about the secular and left ideologues.Perhaps... May be if they listen to their conscience...
