Vasundhara raje Scindia
All of us who had Hindi as a subject in school have read the poem-
‘Khoob ladi mardani wo to Jhansi wali rani thi’
It is authored by Subhadra kumari Chauhan and is a very popular poem. Can you believe it? There is a controversy because of this poem. You can trust these politicians to do anything.
In the BJP’s magazine published in Rajasthan the poem has omitted references describing the Scindia’s as friends of the British. It is a historical fact that when Laxmi Bai reached Gwalior Jivaji Rao Scindia ran away to Agra, and the Gwalior forces joined her. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan is from the Scindhia clan and that explains why the poem about the bravery of heroine of the first war of Independence had to be edited. RSS has demanded that the entire poem, including the references to the Scindia’s, should be taught in full form. It’s the RSS taking on Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia. We can appreciate the RSS for that.
Isn’t there enough of tampering with our Literature and History. Sometimes I really wonder whom to trust? All that we have read in our History books, how much of that is true? Certain portions are edited because the minority community will be hurt, others are edited during the Saffron regime. The British Historians have their own views!!
All our lives we believed that Babar demolished temples and other religious structures of Hindus. This is the other side of Babar.
I read it in an old magazine and it interested me-
According to a document available in the State Library of Bhopal, Mughal Emperor Babur left the following will to his son Humayun: ”My son, take note of the following: do not harbour religious prejudice in your heart. You should dispense justice while taking note of the people’s religious sensitivities, and rites. Avoid slaughtering cows in order that you could gain a place in the heart of natives. This will take you nearer to the people.
”Do not demolish or damage places of worship of any faith and dispense full justice to all to ensure peace in the country. Islam can better be preached by the sword of love and affection, rather than the sword of tyranny and persecution. Avoid the differences between the Shias and Sunnis. Look at the various characteristics of your people just as characteristics of various seasons.”
I have never been to Bhopal or seen the document but may be in his later years Babar was a transformed man!!!
from Vishesh :)
from Reema :)
I think that is why it is important that people take up subjects like history, sociology, etc in college. They are taught beyond the limited boundary of what has been learnt at school, and they learn to analyze and think for themselves and thus can distinguish truth from fiction better. A wide exposure to different sources of history is the only way of determining what could be real, and what is not. Knowing the real truth is next to impossible, but getting as close to it as possible in an objective manner should be our objective. You have used examples of British and Indian history and how these differ. Closer to home is the example of Indian and Pakistani versions of a shared history. I have not had the privilege of studying Pakistani history but I’m sure it would be quite different to our Indian version in many ways. This created difference is used to keep people fromt he countries apart, and again it is difficult to know which parts of our 2 histories are the real truths and which parts are distorted, exagerrated vesions
Good catch…
There always were differences between Maratha sardars in north India now that the control from Pune was decreasing. Manikarnika Niwalkar (Jhansi ki Rani) and the Shindes (British called them Scindia) of Gwalior did have strained relations. Now we don’t know which history to believe.
Politicians are acting on expected lines. Soon Netaji will be declared a terrorist, just as Bhagatsingh and others have been
History has alwasy been my favorite subject and hobby (with mathematics). It’s very hard to always know the truth, but there always remains a bit of truth. The distortion is often based on the emphasis over some events, giving them wrong interpretation, and turning a blind eye to other events/aspects.
To understand history as it is taught, you must also understand the situation at the time it was written (who wrote it, when, why, how accurate and reliable), as well as the situation today, the actual policies of the state and what events, fit their perspective. They also twist the past in their favor, turn from it, etc. Not everyone does that, but almost everyone is influenced by his or her life, experience, beliefs.
Somehow, I still believe objectivity can be reached if given enough time for research and given that you seek the truth and objectivity more than you seek assets to justify your superiority, claim, and behavior.
I lived in Gwalior for much of my childhood, and then my family moved to Jhansi where the Fort was visible from the main room’s large window. I am connected to both places and I remember there was a time Rajmata (RIP) Scindhia was so revered.
To censor for PC-ness a beautiful poem like that is a shameful exercise in revisionism…
History is often written in the eyes of the winner or at least in the eyes of someone who has a stake on one of the sides, and hence not necessarily objective. Usually this can be overcome by comparing independent accounts – although that can also muddy the water more (one’s word against another).
I do agree that if one takes a literary work for its literary value, tampering with it is bad. Tampering with history (or science for that matter) – as bad if not worse. It does happen a lot I think.
In this case, I presume the poem is being taught for literary value as opposed to be an authentic account of history? Now I am not saying it is not authentic – I can see if a poem does a fair reflection of history, its value would add. However, IMO, taking a literary work such as a poem for its historical value has dangers. It is a reflectipon of the poet’s expression and thus reflects his/her emotions, preferences and feelings. Thus can get subjective and so not necessarily a good base for history. But then like I said – history isn’t always objective either
Great post, Prerna!
This is another of the myriad examples of the State trying to rewrite history.
One more way for them to control the minds of the youth.
And another example of why we need the State out of education.
A very good post. Makes you think hard. I am thinking and therefore cannot write a useful comment.
Wow, nice post!
I failed to make one connection. You said the omitted reference was in a BJP magazine, and then talk about RSS demanding that the poem be ‘taught’ in full.
Is it a BJP magazine we’re talking about or school history books? The BJP has the full right to publish whatever crap it wants in its magazines, but educational history books should be as objective as possible as well-described by Rajiv above.
Your comment on history reminds me of what Abraham Linchon said once: “History will treat me nicely for i intend to write it”
People alter history to their liking, according to their biased views. Seldom we get to see historians in total agreement on one long ago incident.
Just finished reading Animal Farm, the way pigs twisted history according to their liking is a beautiful taunt on human behaviour!
Nice post
Aunty,
What has present generation of Scindia got to do with what their ancestors did? They didn’t do it!
But they did other things- example- Scindia demanded that she be addressed as ‘her majesty’.
btw, Lakshmi bai’s fight, though heroic it was, was not the first struggle for freedom.
By the way, about RSS
many of the RSS forefathers were against independent as well. What do they say about that? It is easy to impugn others.
Manas, if RSS is doing one thing good then we should have know problem in appreciating that. I agree that present generation of Scindias has nothing to do with what their ancestors did but if they are ashamed of it what can we do. All we want is they should not tampper with History.
Thanks Lubz. Animal Farm is one of my favourite books too.
Mahendra, RSS sure thinks that BJP magazine is read by people from all walks of life. If RSS objects BJP has to listen to it and for once it is the RSS standing for the right cause.
Arunk,
//However, IMO, taking a literary work such as a poem for its historical value has dangers. It is a reflectipon of the poet’s expression and thus reflects his/her emotions, preferences and feelings.// I agree with you on that. Most of the events known to the general public about Prithvi Raj Chauhan are the ones written by the poet ‘Chanderbardai’ in his ‘Prithvirajraso’.Now if some Historian comes out with something that dilutes what Chanderberdai wrote the swords will be out.
The other side is that as you said History is not objective either. The other account will that of the victors ie British.
Thanks Nita Shefaly, B.Chopra, Rambodoc and Priyank.
Rajiv,
now I know how you can analyse things so well. History is your favourite subject.
//I still believe objectivity can be reached if given enough time for research and given that you seek the truth and objectivity more than you seek assets to justify your superiority, claim, and behavior.// you are right Rajiv.
krusty, i agree with you //it is important that people take up subjects like history, sociology, etc in college.//
history is always written by the winners of wars
Lets see the british wrote Indian history according to their convenience with stuff like Aryan invasion theory
The Nehruvian socialists omitted lots of cruel islamic history to be suckular.
The Current lot of jnu affiliated marxist historians have added their own twist
The dalit historians have written tonnes of their version of history with liberal anti brahmin masala added
the Rss supported historians did a few edits of their own when bjp was in power
Ps rss is not that bad either -at least they are the most patriotic of all extreme (if u can call them that) organisation – modi won for the first time because of a major chunk of adivasi vote which switched from cogress- thanks to social service activities of rss
Aunty
RSS isn’t saying what they are saying because they are committed to the accurate and objective reading of history. They want their version when they don’t like the historian’s version.
If they supported objective reading of history in all cases that would have been worth praising. I don’t see that happening.
A thief saw a another thief stealing a TV from a window in a empty house. He shouted ‘thief!’ Don’t praise him for that. Why? He did it because he wanted that TV.
Iagree with you Manas//RSS isn’t saying what they are saying because they are committed to the accurate and objective reading of history. They want their version when they don’t like the historian’s version.// their track record proves that.
Still I think RSS is better than a Mulayam Singh Yadav or Lalu Yadav. They are known devils but the other two use the minorities as vote banks and don’t do anything useful for them.
Prax, The Swayam Sevaks are patriotic in their own narrow thinking. Yes they are the ones who have done social service in the Adivasi areas of Chattisgarh but the BJP has used that to their full advantage. RSS is an extremist organisation and it cannot be good for the country. Thier views about the minorities are not acceptable in a secular country. Extremism of any kind is bad for the society. As far as the BJP is concerned they are no more the party with the difference, their RSS connection hasn’t made them less corrupt or less power hungry.
Thank you aunty.
Chauhan’s poem has been a part of our growing up. Nothing anyone does will take away the grandeur and beauty of this poem. Having said that, anyone who believes Vasundhara Raje had a hand in selected portions not being printed needs to rethink. Firstly, history cannot be revisited. What is documented, chronicled remains so. It would not be wrong to assume Vasundhara Raje has more things requiring her attention than whether or not a poem has been printed in toto (some say rest of it will be printed later).
Irrespective of what the so called ‘owners; of hindutwa think, she is among the more progressive, articulate leaders we have and that is saying a lot about India’s political canvas. Folks, she is the CM. Could she have not prevented the poem from being printed in the party magazine had she been so concerned by something that happened two centuries back?
Blog if we must; discuss issues – of course. But where does seriousness end and trivialization start? When do ‘non-issues’ become issues? If we have to discuss Rajasthan should we not talk of the precariousness of the drought prone bio mass production? Or the ‘better than the rest’ performance in NREGA? Or the brave hearts who for generations serve the armed forces, their families their dreams?
Think will you please!
Welcome jagatpati, I wish I could agree with you on Vasundhara Raje. I had high hopes from her too because she is a young leader but the way she has handled the Gujjar issue has left me disappointed. There are other issues which haven’t been dealt properly but they are not connected with this post, may be I will discuss them in a new post.
//Firstly, history cannot be revisited. What is documented, chronicled remains so//-Our text books have been changed more than once according to the whims and fancies of the politicians.
This is not a trivial issue we cannot play with History like that ,we owe it to our future generations.
Thank you pr3rna.
Changing of a textbook does not change history. Today, the public domain is replete with information and anyone who wishes can access conflicting points of view with ease and form his own opinion.
Could the Gujjar issue be handled differently? Maybe. However, I wonder how Lt. Col Bainsla and his merry men justify arson and rioting. Or do we fall back on historical treatise and label gurjars are marauders? Just the way there were/ are ‘criminal tribes’?
Coming back to history, what is correct history? Is it the view I accept as more reasonable? is the view a certain school of thought subscribes to? Is it Vincent Smith vs Humayun Kabir vs the RSS? Is it what the Kundra and Kundra text book taught us in school?
What we owe to our future generations is access to all forms of information. Let the generation decide the relevance/ importance/ contemporaneity of the subject.
As regards the present, I am of the belief that there are stark/vivid and important issues in the country that need debate. Why not indulge in that. Will look forward to the new string of discussion
Firstly the Gujjar issue, Jagatpati, the first wrong step was promising reservation to Gujjars without looking into the pros and cons. In search of vote banks our politicians promise the stars but when it comes to reality the ordinary public has to face the consequences of their shortsightedness. Col Bhainsla was empowered by the wrong promises made to the Gujjars.
//Changing of a textbook does not change history// quite a few of us don’t read History after school. For those of us History is, what was taught in school.
The present issues are important and should be tackled but History cannot be ignored. Thanks for making the discussion interesting and giving a new twist to it. I will be looking forward to further inputs from you on different topics.
Thank you very much indeed. Col Bainsla says they were promised. By whom? Where is that wee statement in the media archives? In today’s electronic world, every statement by a public person is recorded, how come no media house – electronic or print could come up with some form of substantiation?
History is important. Important in totality. If it is important that the Scindhia’s fled before Laxmi Bai, it is also important to look around and appreciate what nucleus of infrastructure the erstwhile royals bequeathed an infant nation. The Taj we are so proud of was a creation of royals. The Indira Gandhi Nahar had its seed sown as the Gang Canal – courtesy the Bikaner kings. The tourism income of Rajasthan – most of it is courtesy the princes. And that is not all.
Lets leave Rajasthan for a while and travel east. The Headquarters of Calcutta university, most of the wards of Calcutta Medical College, the Eden ‘Hindu’ Hostel (which houses the elite of Presidency College Kolkata) were charity from zamidars/ princes.
A one horse town called Burdwan in Bengal boasts of a university – the entire property belonged to the former rulers. There are instances galore all over India. Most of us do gawk at the magnificence of Mysore Palace – do we not ? Is the Indian Army shy of its regiments that were raised centuries ago?
Modern India, IT superpower, and what is its claim to fame other than the few IITs and IIMs? What about the 1.16 billion who cannot even dream of entering those portals? is India only infosys and wipro? Is it only North Block and Parliament House?
Coming back to reservations, is this agitation worth the cost to the economy of the state? Why is the Congress quiet when it comes to discussing how come the matter of Gurjars as STs was REJECTED by a Congress CM in Rajasthan?
I would like to believe, this agitation is not just about reservations. It is probably getting a political pound of flesh. Elections are around the corner and in the Rajasthan style of politics, communities support parties en bloc. Remember Mr. Gehlot’s efforts in befriending Jats? The coming elections in Rajasthan should be interesting with Mayavatiji jumping on to the reservation bandwagon. I for one will be all eyes.
Let us not blindly blame or curse the past. The past, just like the present is mix of good and bad. Even the bad parts of the past remain our legacy as does the good. Can we not accept it as a part of our heritage and move on?
All said, pr3na, would surely like to talk on development. Bye the way, never read History as a subject after class 10 and thats been decades.
//I would like to believe, this agitation is not just about reservations. It is probably getting a political pound of flesh. Elections are around the corner and in the Rajasthan style of politics, communities support parties en bloc. Remember Mr. Gehlot’s efforts in befriending Jats? The coming elections in Rajasthan should be interesting with Mayavatiji jumping on to the reservation bandwagon. I for one will be all eyes.// I 100% agree with you jagatpati. This is vote bank politics.
I am not against royalty and this post is not about royalty. I am talking about distorting History. Britishers brought the first rail to India but does that mean that we forget about Jalian Wala Bagh.
Nobody from the Rajasthan govt denied that they promised reservation to the Gujjars so I have reason to trust the electronic media. I am not against the BJP govt alone. The politicians are the same which ever party they belong to.
I am in agreement about politicians being birds of a feather.
You have a point about he railways and Jalian wallah Bagh. One has to agree that both are important.
Similarly we should spare a thought about hindus oppressing hindus, the famed tradition of widows being sent to lives of of penury and exploitation in the Holy towns of Benaras, Mathura and Vrindavan. Garv se kyon nahin kahet hain ‘hum hindu hai? We have a lot of history to be ‘proud’ of. Or is it not in vogue talking about the unpleasant past, as long as it does not suit us?
Well dear, you only read in a magazine the story about the Will of Babur. Fine. You will learn much more if you dig into the following (a) who controls the funding of that magazine?
(b) who is the author of that article and investigate into his or her background.
You will have better understanding if Babur was a trnasformed man by the end of his life? Or, you can read authentic translation of Babar’s Autobiography which is available in print (mind you, not biography but autobiography).
Lastly, I came to this page by accident and do not expect me to revisit. If you post any further question to me it will remain unattended.
Hello!,
Hi!,
well, I think the british have weird view about the rani of jhansi (no queen is better than…) She was very brave, your country’s politics sucks!
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you
an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.