OUR HISTORY AND MUGHALS

OUR HISTORY AND MUGHALS

Since adolescence (10 - 19 years) we are taught about Mughal Empire and its heritage. A huge section of the population in India conceivably is aware of Babur to Bahadur Shah Zafar but this very portion of the population might not be aware of Ahom, Maratha or Chola Dynasty. What is the reason behind this? Despite the fact that Cholas ruled for 2100 years and Ahoms for 700 years, Mughals ruled only for 200 years and yet our history glorifies them more.

Aurangzeb was one of the most brutal Mughal Emperors; whose policies were no less than atrocities to common people; he reimposed the non-Muslim Jizya tax and yet people defend him, write books on him and celebrate him. On the contrary, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the Father of the Indian Navy; who had a vision of Swarajya is now confined in our History books within 7 to 8 lines. Shivaji’s eldest son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaja lived his father’s vision and hence 23 year old Sambha Ji with 20,000 Marathas faced off against 8 lakh Mughals and won. An eminent leader who fought 120 battles in his life and was not vanquished.

Babur invaded India for his temptation towards its wealth. India was the home to Cholas and Pandyas; you’ll find Ramayana inspired temples in Indonesia and Thailand and the commendation must go to these unsung rulers for laying out Indic culture outside India as well!

The celebrated last powerful Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb once said, “I used my full strength for 19 years to stop Shivaji but his empire kept flourishing and expanding.” And still some Indian citizens perceive that raising this segment of History means sowing seeds of toxic nationalism in the minds of people. When a renowned movie on the life of an unsung leader Tanha Ji started hitting box office over 100 Cr. in its first week, it became a matter of controversy and the news headlines said: ‘TANHAJI’ : Hindu nationalism over Popcorn.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja rationalized the objectives of the English and before they could enter India, he repulsed the English at Konkan Coast. If other rulers had same perception, India would never have been a slave.

Thomas Macaulay played a paramount role in establishing western concepts in Indian Education System. The English succeeded their aim; they took us away from our roots. But, now is the time to know the identity of our India. In Germany, top 14 universities teach Sanskrit; the outside world is recognizing India and this is the right time to know what made India ‘an Incredible Golden Bird'.

An article by Richa Singh

Class X