Some of the Hindu historians have accused Aurangzeb of demolishing Hindu Temples. How factual is this accusation against a man, who has been known to be a saintly man, a strict adherent of Islam? The Qur'an prohibits any Muslim to impose his will on a non-Muslim by stating that "There is no compulsion in religion." (surah al-Baqarah 2:256). The surah al-Kafirun clearly states: "To you is your religion and to me is mine." It would be totally unbecoming of a learned scholar of Islam of his caliber, as Aurangzeb was known to be, to do things that are contrary to the dictates of the Qur'an.
Interestingly, the 1946 edition of the history textbook Etihash Parichaya (Introduction to History) used in Bengal for the 5th and 6th graders states: "If Aurangzeb had the intention of demolishing temples to make way for mosques, there would not have been a single temple standing erect in India. On the contrary, Aurangzeb donated huge estates for use as Temple sites and support thereof in Benares, Kashmir and elsewhere. The official documentations for these land grants are still extant."
A stone inscription in the historic Balaji or Vishnu Temple, located north of Chitrakut Balaghat, still shows that it was commissioned by the Emperor himself. The proof of Aurangzeb's land grant for famous Hindu religious sites in Kasi, Varanasi can easily be verified from the deed records extant at those sites. The same textbook reads: "During the fifty year reign of Aurangzeb, not a single Hindu was forced to embrace Islam. He did not interfere with any Hindu religious activities." (p. 138) Alexander Hamilton, a British historian, toured India towards the end of Aurangzeb's fifty year reign and observed that every one was free to serve and worship God in his own way.
RE:THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AURANGZEB
by An Indian on Mar 26, 2007 06:53 PM Permalink
Who is this Francoise Gautiere, posting his messages, contradicting the views of original writer of this article to confuse the readers?
Who has started posting using the name or posed as Francoise Gautiere, though spelling is different than the original writer of this article. What a mockery it is.
Who is this Francoise Gautiere, posting his messages, contradicting the views of original writer of this article to confuse the readers?
There is miserably something wrong in this community, who believes using other%u2019s name, other%u2019s identity etc. and believes only dishonest and barbaric means.
Readers please be aware and find out who is this.
I request moderator to find and confirm that someone is misusing the name of original writer to misguide the readers and malign the original writer by twisting the facts.
Moderator may kindly restore the credibility of Rediff by bringing the truth, as to what relationship this readers has with original writer.
