"Nations weaken not because of their past but, rather, because of how they are taught it."
Many would argue that recording, writing and analyzing history is a work of grey. For, interpretation mixed with the modulation of the sources (epigraphs, numismatics, archaeological evidences, literature, etc.) varies as the man standing in the field changes. But, the basic thing to be considered is facts- and facts, only.
Having said that, have you ever wondered, whenever there is a battle or conflict in our textbooks, the Indian ruler loses it anyways? The three battles of Panipat, The battle of Buxar and that of Plassey. Yes, we did win some as we are here for a long long time. Do you know where the problem lies?
The problem lies in repeating the same history for 75 years even after our colonial masters left us. The indigenous positives are shown as negatives, the bravery as anarchy and the sheer intelligence as cunningness while the case just reverses for the imperial & colonial monsters. Truly, History that is written by the victors is peddled by the vanquished.
Let me take you through some of the instances: From Somnath to Kashi Vishwanath, Babarpur to Bakhtiarpur, from Allahabad to Aurangabad, for 75 years we are being taught to forget the historical injustices. From Maharanas to Marathas, Chalukyas to Cholas, from Ahom to Awadh, Kurukshetra to Kondhana, from the great Maharanis to Maharajas, for 75 years we were taught to forget the finest moments of the past. The best example can be sought from the great battlefield of Haldighati where the the dates, too, were distorted: 21st of June, 1576 from the actual date of 18th of June, 1576.
Now, why does the history matter? It matters because like science it has to be built on truthful observation of facts, and the understanding of it helps us survive. It breaks the inferiority complex among the people of a nation- who understand themselves as citizens of one of those 3rd world nations, despite the fact that they were, once, the leaders of the civilizations- and help them grow with the inspiration from their great & fearless ancestors. And to say in the words of the hon'ble Prime Minister, "To make India the leader, the Vishwaguru again."
The history written is so abysmal that she met me in the darkest of the nights asking to be re-narrated & not repeated. She asked me till when she would be abashed for the crimes she has never committed? I said- not anymore! We will rewrite our history with the grammar of justice and not that of anarchy. There might be some delay but we won't be defeated- by Adharma, for sure.
~Gyan Prakash
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