Let us rediscover our history of composite culture: Asghar Ali Engineer
Submitted by admin on 18 June 2009 - 9:47pm
By Anju Azad, TwoCircles.net
Guwahati: Ashgar Ali Engineer spoke at a 3-day long international conference on “Armed Conflcit and Peace Prospect’ on June 17th, 2009 at Guwahati, Assam. The conference was organized by Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development. He delivered a lecture on ‘Re-reading through History of Communal Harmony’.
A brief abstract of his speech is as follows:
History is not history in the long run. History can be reconstructed, can be used or misused, history is the only social science that can be reconstructed as it deals with the past. It is a powerful tool which strongly appealed to our emotion. It can be used for controlling power to make or unmake society by reconstructing the past.
Because, it is all about our past. We tend to glorify our past. Muslims glorify their past and Hindus glorify Hindu period. We always take refuge in the past if there is anything wrong in the present. It is related with our culture and identity. Hindus says, before Muslims came it was all peace, prosperity, and everything started once Muslims came to India. Muslims will say, Muslim period was a glorious period. Muslims rulers were more tolerant towards others. In this way we reconstruct our history.
Text book in history – our heroes are their villains and there villains are our heroes. We give selective glorification of our past. It is a part of human behavior, we suppress our bad aspects. Same thing we do with our history. So that past appears to be real and ideal.
One must think about human behavior in mind while interpreting history. Everyone thinks that his religion is great. The dynamics of human behavior is important. For rulers, their interest is more important than anything else in the world. If a ruler belongs to my religion we would shape according to my religion. If a ruler belongs to other religion we may focus his bad aspects. So, we need to understand human mind.
Our history was written from British period. It was written chronologically. We don’t have analytical analysis of our history. British had their own interest keeping in mind their political goals. They saw unity among the Hindus and Muslims here and wanted to destroy that. They wrote history in a way to create tension between Hindus and Muslims. Whole Babari Masjid Ram Janambhoomi, the way the British translated Babar Nama. Babar never visited Ayodhya. He passed through. It was six month period in the diary is missing. So it was interpreted that in this period ram janambhoomi was destroyed in order to construct Babri Masjid. There was absolutely no evidence. He wrote it in a foot note and it was repeatedly used when the ram janambhoomi controversy started.
We can write history which will be very helpful in creating harmony in the society. Ayodhya has been a city of composite culture. There are so many Sufi establishments, masjids and temples. It was a great place of Muslim culture. It is also a city of Tulsi Das who translated Ramayana. In this conflict thousands died along with the harmony.
History of India is a culture of composite heritage. I don’t believe is periodisation as Hindu period, Muslims period, etc. it is very wrong. When we use the term Hindu or Muslim it becomes problematic. All rulers are homogenized as Hindus or Muslims. There is nothing like Hindu past or Muslims past. Various Hindu rulers fought among themselves and Muslims among themselves. Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi to come to India. It was between two Muslim dynasties. How can we say that Muslims killed Hindus to reign over India. Except Babar, Akbar or Humayun, all Mughals fought among themselves for power.
Culture of India is a composite culture, even before the Muslims came. It was diversity. Diversity is a part of the history of the India. It was always a composite culture. In Hindi, we called sanjhi virasat.
Today Indian Muslims don’t follow Ram, but in their language, they are very Indian. Once I went to Saudi Arabia in my childhood. They addressed me as ‘Hindi kaafir’. They think Arab Muslims is the true Muslim. Indian Islam is different and divers. Islam in Kashmir and Kerala are different. Indian Muslims, sect wise, are culturally linguistically different. Say for example, Assamese Muslims are different from me. I am a Guajarati Muslim. In fact al communities are diverse.
Different communities co-existed in India for a long time. Kabir panth is a result of marriage between Hindus and Muslims. Kabir would criticize both Hindus and Muslims. Arya samaj is another example of marriage between Hindus and Muslims.
Parinam Panthi from Gujarat believe in both Prophet Mohammed and Krishna. They also believe in idol worshipping. They consider prophet as an avatar of Krishna. In earlier days those who adopt Parinam Panthi would follow both religions. One brother would go to temple and another one will go to masjid.
These things are not known. We don’t teach history in a way that fosters communal harmony. We teach only those that create communal conflict.
Sufis contributed a lot for communal harmony. Kaafir means ‘someone who hides’ in Arabic. A famous Sufi leader opposed the use of the term of kaafir.
Communalism will be a thing of the past if we teach out history in a way to create communal harmony. Our education system is a powerful tool for strengthening communal harmony in the country. There should free debate among the historians on multiple interpretations in the country. Let us rediscover our past of composite culture. We should not let our rules use history in a way to satisfy their interests.
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comunalism
I agree on Mr.Batra s comment Hindus and Muslims are destined to stay together whether they like it or not now it depends on them whether to live in a cordial peaceful environment of growth and prosperity or trend the path of communal forces and politicians to destroy their lives and of their progeny with hatred,blood bath and die with hunger and poverty.What was done,done by whom there are many questions and answer to them from left and right,the list is never ending.Let us live in peace today and work for a better tomorrow.Leaving past behind buried deep so no foul smell can dirty the environment.
Islam as Arab nationalism!
"Once I went to Saudi Arabia in my childhood. They addressed me as ‘Hindi kaafir’. They think Arab Muslims is the true Muslim."
Then why don't Indian Muslims revert to the religion of their ancestors and abandon this Arab religion which had done the Arab world no good!
Islam is not an Arab Religion
Dear Salaudin,
Some Arab may have addressed you as 'hindi kaafir'. It is their ignorance about Islam. Islam is not an Arab religion. It is for the Mankind. God revealed Holy Quran in Arabic and clearly stated that it is for all the Universe.
Arabs and non-Arabs have no difference in Islam. Arabs are not superior or inferior. Among the Arabs also there have stupids, criminals and dacoits. They have no speciality.
Islam is the First religion of the mankind. Adam was a Muslim. Islam didn't started with Prophet Muhammed.
Study more and think double.
Engineer Sab- Shiva temple distroyed by Aurangazeb at Kashi.
>>>Babar never visited Ayodhya. He passed through. It was six month period in the diary is missing. So it was interpreted that in this period ram janambhoomi was destroyed in order to construct Babri Masjid. There was absolutely no evidence<<<
Engineer Sab- Proof does exist about Aurangazeb destroying KASHI VISHWANATH temple to construct GYAN VAPI MOSQUE at Varanasi. It is justified by Indian Muslims by claiming that it was a retribution for some Pandits of the Temple molesting a Rajput Kings wife. Would you agree to same justification for any of the ISLAMIC Place of worship being broken down and a Temple built there???
There is Mosque in Mathura which Hindus believe is at Krishan Janambhuumi. So all these can NOT be coincidence. In fact MUHAMMAD himself destroyed the place of worship of the "nomadic Arabs at MACCA" to convert it into ISLAMIC Place of worship. So destroying "place of worship" of other religions, especially "place of idol worship" like Hindu temples has been a perpetual past time of all Muslim invaders in India. Even the Mosque along with QUTUB MINAR has been constructed with stones of destroyed temples.
So what composite culture is Asghar Ali Engineer talking about. Most Muslims rulers killed and destroyed Hindus and even Akbar used RAJPUTS to fight in the most difficult area of battle to weaken the attacking enemy and used Muslims as mobile reserves to a counter attack. The Maratthas and Sikhs killed Muslims in large numbers between 1720-1800 AD, extending their domain from Attock to Allahabad and Jammu to Madurai, so much so that Indian MUSLIMS invited Ahamad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan and fought along side the Afghan soldiers to defeat Maratthas in Third Battle of Panipat. The Maratha Soldier taken as slave to Baluchistan by BUGTHI KHANs after Battle of Panipat even now retain their separate identity, although converted to ISLAM.
When there is NO composite culture of HINDUs in India- Hindus of Assam, UP, Punjab, Tamilnadu etc are different- how can there be composite culture of Hindus and Muslims???
Dalits salvation lies in Islam
It is a shame that Hindu friends (inspite of having achieved great strides in education) simply talk out of their hats. They do no research., and they just listen to Political leaders who sell lies and manufactured history., for political gains.
How many books has the "Anonymous" person read on the subject.
Why did LK Advani not remember Ram in 1977 when he was Minister for Info & Broadcasting in Morarjibhais' cabinet ? Hayn ? Ram 1980 mein yaad aaya.. after Indira Gandhi died ? Indira would have smashed Advani's balls., if he even THOUGHT on those terms. Indira teen-paanch kar deti. After Indira died., and Rajiv got manipulated (Shahbano case)., it is THEN that Advani remembered Ram... and Ayodhya... Until then., the old man (then 70) was UNAWARE ? Hayn... Hai rey morey bholey qaatil !!
Hindus know the truth, but cannot open their mouth in protests out of fear of the Hindutva Taliban (RSS/VHP/Bajrang Dal). These are criminals, thieves., rapists and murderers. As simple as that. Murder and rape cannot be sanctioned under the safforn flag as "NATIONALISM".
Do you know the history of Gyan Vapi Mandir. Do you know how many thousand Jagirs Aurangzeb gave to the HIndu Priests. (11500)... compared to Muslims (1500). You should read history. Unfortunately Hindutva taliban do not allow Hindus to read REAL history. Real history books are burnt (Library burnt in Pune.. remember... after the book on Shivaji was released !).
Shivaji did not revolt against the Mughals for the sake of Hindus. It was a power struggle. (most of Shivaji's army generals were muslim.. and he constructed a temple and a mosque at his fort in Raigadh.. for political reasons). Shivaji's fight was purely for political power and spoils of power. Religion had no role in it.
Hindutva today is nothing but hatred for islam and muslims. Raping muslim girls (and subsequently killing them after rape), killing muslim men and kids brutally., stealing muslims' property.. this is Hindutva. Musalmaan ach`cha nahin hai.. Islam ach`cha nahin hai.. Abuse the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)... lekin Riyaal Ach`cha hai.. Dirham Ach`cha hai... Musalmaanon ki property ach`chi hai.. Musalmaanon kaa samaan ach`cha hai.. musalmaanon ki ladki ach`chi hai.. Hunh. Musalman ach`cha nahin hai - Riyal ach`cha hai. Musalmaan kaa goo ach`cha hai.. hayn !!
Lata Mangeshkar hates Islam., but the old hag is making millions of riyals/dirham profit doing business in Dubai UAE. She is making money from muslims., and financing pogroms against indian muslims.
Kahaan jaa kar ro`yen...
Where is the Truth
Why u r making such non existent comments against Hindus which is nothing but a BIG LIE, u people cannot digest the Truth, Hinduism is been a Symbol of Peace since times unknown on the contrary Islam since its inception has been a brutal story of HUMAN SALVATION, ALL OVER THE WORLD WHEREVER A INNOCENT DIES IT HAS HANDS OF MUSLIMS, wherever there is religious tension you find ISLAM, becoz according to Jinnah ISLAM cannot co-exist, stop ranting Hinduism which is nothing but truth, u people will always try to preach ISLAM when its not needed keep it under ur pants becoz Muhammads Islam is limited to it. Further its Muslims in there so called prayer house teach Muslim youth to trap Hindu girls, loot Hindu property, every Mosque or Masjid in the world preaches hatred, u will deny it to the core, but its a truth, In masjids at the time of elections Maulvis give a Chit to everybody to whom they r supposed to vote and they have to drop the Chit at the gate of the mosque, Maulvis speak bull shit on the name of friday prayers and spread Hatred. Muslims wherever they go destroy the history loot the heritage the biggest and example is India. THIS WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEB A FAR BETTER PLACE TO LIVE HAD ISLAM NOT BEEN THERE. It teaches killing and rape of every non muslim to which their holy books calls non believers. Muslims were never killed brutally in INDIA its not INIDAN thing its ISLAM and MUSLIMS who have cheated, looted and killed HINDUS and other religion peoples.
Nagamani Goraknath- And be Muslim Dalit???
Masood Alam Falahi’s ‘Hindustan Mein Zaat-Paat Aur Musalman’
The once unitary Islamic society now came to be divided into the Ashraaf (Syed, Shaikh, Mughal, and Pathan) and Ajlaaf (Kunjda, Qasai, Nai, Julaha, etc). Those non-Muslims who came from the ‘upper castes’ were classified in the Ashraaf category and those from ‘low castes’ to the Ajlaaf. Among the Ashraaf, Syeds gained the sacrosanct status similar to the ones of the Brahmans. High positions in the government were reserved for them and their writ ran large especially under the reigns of Iltumish and Balban. It was not until 1325 CE when Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq took over that the Syed supremacy was challenged. He brought in reforms by dismissing the old guard and bringing in a group of scholars and administrators associated with the Sufi Shaikh Nizamuddin Awliya. Muhammad Tughlaq proved to be a thorn in the eye of the Ashraaf and a group among them conspired to eventually oust and kill him thus bringing an end to his reforms. One of his most vocal critics was Maulana Syed Ziauddin Barani who claimed that it was against God’s commandments to appoint the Arzaals to governmental positions and called on the Sultan to consider his religious duty to deny the ajlaf access to knowledge. Branding them as ‘mean’ and ‘despicable’ he urged that anyone found to be teaching them should be punished and even exiled. He also prohibited marriage between the two groups. Mufti Muhammad Shafi, of Deobandi school who later on became the Grand Mufti of Pakistan, wrote a book titled Nihayat al Arab fi Ghayat al Nasb in which he made several statements which pointed towards the supposed glory and magnificence of Ashraaf and ruled that customary concept of Kufu doesn’t violate any of the Islamic principles. Maulana Ashraf Ali Farooqui Thanwi, Maulana Syed Mehmood Madani, and Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyab Siddiqui Qasmi approved of Mufti Shafi’s stance and dismissed the critics as those influenced by the West’s God-less ideologies. SO DALITS CONVERTING TO ISLAM WILL REMAIN "DALIT MUSLIM".
Do you know the history of Gyan Vapi Mandir- DO TELL ME.
Shivaji WAS not MARATHHA POWER- Shivaji died before Aurangazeb's died in 1707. Marattha power commenced in 1720- so you read the history. Find out how the Sis Ganj Gurudwara, where Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by Aurangazeb and Gaurishankar Temple are just 1 KM from away from RED FORT LAHOR Gate on Chandini Chowk to understand the actual impact of Marattha Power. Also read about the Third Battle of Panipat when the Muslim rulers of India and fought alongside the Afghan ruler to defeat Maratthas. You must read "REAL History" of the relevant period and NOT talk of Shivaji alone.
BAN RSS & BAJRANGIS
I appreciate the intellectual vigor Mr. Asghar Ali Engineer brings into play., but honestly there is not much indian muslims can do. The environment is polluted with hatred and hate. I realise the fact... there is a difference between the communalism of the majority and the communalism of the minority. The communalism of the minority (for the sake of argument), even if it exists., i.e., is primarily a defensive mechanism in self-defence and self-preservation. Whereas the communalism of the majority has the potential to "destroy" or exterminate or annihilate the other. Desire for Ethnic cleansing comes into play.
The social atmosphere of india has been vitiated and corrupted from the day RSS was started. GO and look at what is taught in the Bajrang Dal Camps. How young kids are influenced. How they are brainwashed., into raping muslim girls., and killing muslims. Attend the Bajrang Dal Shakhas., before replying to this post. The RSS & its affiliates are injecting cyanide into the water supply.
RSS & Bajrang Dal & VHP etc - hate canteens i.e. must be banned legally and very effectively. That is the administrative part of it. ON an ideological plane, on an intellectual plane, the discourse on benefits of having an INCLUSIVE SOCIETY must begin from the Kindergarten School., books, literature., art., social forums, media etc.
Hatred and Hate Speech (masquered as Nationalism) must be banned. Its worst than murder. It is instigating a whole generation to take to mob violence as a sport.
MashaAllah, a very good
MashaAllah, a very good insight to history.
It is high time we study and teach history of composite culture. I remember in our chilhood ( I am 63 years now) we used to enjoy both festival eid and holi with equal gusto and vigour, we used to have milad eid un nabi and swarsatipuja withequal vigour and everyone took part be he or she a muslim or a hindu. Familys had avery good raport with each other. I remember my Bhatnagar uncle, his son Vijay Bhatnagar was my class mate and his elder sister was named Manjula bhatnagar and I alwasys called her didi and anty took greatcare of me. once I went to Delhi with Manjula didi
and stayed with Bhatnagar Uncle and it was Ramzan days,my aunty arranged for my all Rozas and on Eid every one went to Jama Masjid with me and would you beleive said namaz with me. On our part we used to go to Ramlilla and participate in it and I learnt my Ramayan and Mahabharat in this. I hope those days are back.
Which 'composite' culture Mr
Which 'composite' culture Mr Ali? The one where 10,000 hindu temples were destroyed by Ghazis? The seculars wont allow that. The truth of brutal Islamic conquest of India cannot be told. Muslims are our blood brothers, we dont want revenge for what happened by outsiders. But the truth should be known to prevent the next wave of outsiders to come and destroy all of US, Indian Hindus and Indian Muslims.
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