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Volume 1, Issue 14

Volume 1, Issue 14

Young Moves The Magazine For GAME CHANGERS Volume 1, Issue 14

The Right History... They Died for Us... AUGUST 2020 The Story of Partition 1947 YOUNG MOVES AugustAugust 20202019 Issue14Volume 1

A magazine for Future Leaders, World Peace, Culture and Development

INSPIRATION EDITORIAL ADVISOR

Dr Pawan Sinha Guruji Dr Kavita Asthana

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Palak Aggarwal

PHOTOGRAPHERS GRAPHICS ILLUSTRATOR

Mayank Vij Abhishek Sharma Navita Ahuja Kripi Singh

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Young Moves Magazine or its parent organisation. Any content provided by our authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything. Content

02 Editorial The Right History... 03 Ignited Pens They Died for Us... 09 Ignited Pens Unsung Heroes of the Nationalist Movement 11 Ignited Pens Kashi & The Nationalist Movement 16 Reader’s Section Abrogation of Article 370; Decline of Terrorism in Jammu & 18 Core Issues The Story of Partition 1947 23 Debating Narratives Akbar; the Great or the Demon Editorial Coordinator Palak W because agendas holistic abrogation ofarticle370byareaderthemagazine. as The the Allama also of written contribution, but strategically and Movement Died ‘Unsung Y contributions, are oung ith hope, shown Core Our Similarly It While several path a 2nd sanyasis focuses is for Aggarwal lot essential readers’ Moves under Iqbal approach Issues it Us.’ episode of is in heroes all Editorial of is rapidly stories history focuses history , . then of them upon a These which who any of lot though which us Magazine

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Greeks U our Visiting Faculty Mumbai, India Dinesh Nishad sadhus were and s... Article By. various at other and the 03 sanyasis played a crucial role in defending our to come together and take initiative to save the nation. With tilak on the forehead, rudraksha Hindu civilization. This incident is mentioned in around the neck, ashes smeared on the body and the book "Soldier Monks and Militant Sadhus" holding weapons in the hands; these sadhu- by "William R. Pinch." It was Madhusudan sanyasis fought and won many battles. Even in Saraswati who reorganized the warrior sanyasis ancient India, many sects of sanyasis existed. in the medieval period. Thousands of sadhus- The credit for bringing all of them under one sanyasis gathered in the holy land of umbrella goes to Adi Shankaracharya. Adi and took an oath to defend the Hindu faith and Shankaracharya organized the sanyasis and laid culture. the foundation of the Dashnami sect. He established four math (monasteries) in the four After that, these warrior saints fought many corners of our country. This system initiated by battles to protect our civilization. One such Adi Shankara kept our country, strong and example can be found in the era of Aurangzeb. united for many centuries to come. In 1664, Aurangzeb attacked the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. The brave Medieval India sadhu-sanyasis confronted the enormous In the medieval period (circa 16th century), Mughal army of Aurangzeb. Soon the war cry of the Mughal Empire was expanding in India "Har-Har Mahadev...Har-Har Mahadev" was under the leadership of Emperor Akbar. The echoing in the streets of Varanasi. The Mughal Mughals were foreigners in India. For them, A Naga Sadhu Indian culture of temples, idol worship, gurukul system, roaming sadhu-sanyasis and so on were against their Islamic beliefs. Thus these radical Mughals demolished many of our temples, destroyed the idols worshipped in temples, forcibly converted Hindus and killed many sadhu-sanyasis.

Madhusudan Saraswati was a contemporary of Akbar. He lived in and was a scholar of Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Seeing the atrocities on indigenous faith, he decided to meet Emperor Akbar. Madhusudan Saraswati travelled from Bengal to Agra to meet Akbar and raise his concerns in the Mughal court. But this meeting was not fruitful. After this experience, Madhusudan Saraswati realized that it is futile to hold any talks with the tyrant Mughals. He became convinced that Hindus themselves need Illustration by Kripi Singh

04 [email protected] army started quivering in fear when they saw Modern India: naked Naga sanyasi with a trident and sword in In the modern era, even the British faced the their hands. In this battle, the sadhu-sanyasi wrath of our sadhu-sanyasis. We all know that wreaked such havoc on Aurangzeb's army after winning the (1757) and which they could never imagine. The battle the (1764), the British were able lasted only for a few hours (From sunrise to to consolidate their power in the province of sunset), but the trauma of the defeat in the Bengal. But very few people know that Naga memories of the Mughal was long-lasting. After Sadhus also fought against the British in the this defeat, Aurangzeb (The most powerful king Battle of Buxar. The Naga regiment was led by of that period) was so devastated that he didn’t Anup Giri (aka Himmat Bahadur) and his even set his foot on the land of Varanasi for the brother Umrao Giri. It was the first time that the next 5 years. We find a detailed description of supreme British forces were challenged by this battle in James G. Lochtefeld's book "The skyclad monks on the battlefield. The British Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism-Volume won the battle of Buxar but even after the battle, 1" and Sir Jadunath Sarkar's book "A History of there were continuous skirmishes between the Dasnami Naga Sanyasis." British and the sanyasis. Gradually, after acquiring power in Bengal, the British did two It was not just Naga sadhus posing a threat to things. First, they imposed a systematic Aurangzeb. The Sikh sect also fought many restriction on sadhu-sanyasis. And second, the fierce battles against the Mughals. In 1699, economic exploitation of ordinary Indians. It is Guru Gobind Singh Ji (The 10th Guru of Sikh rightly said that misfortunes seldom come sect) initiated the ‘Khalsa Panth’ (a group of singly. Along with British oppression, Bengal spiritual warriors) and gave them the goal of witnessed a severe famine in the period of 1769- fighting against the tyrannical Mughals. Our 1773. This famine further worsened the brave Sikh brothers defeated the Mughals in situation of the natives. In history, it is known as many battles. In Western India, Chhatrapati the "Great Bengal famine of 1770." But this was Maharaj was also fighting Aurangzeb. not a natural disaster. Nobel laureate economist Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Shivaji Amartya Sen, called it "man-made famine." Maharaj. Samarth Ramdas built many temples Historian William Dalrymple held that the of Hanuman (Hindu deity renowned for strength deindustrialisation of Bengal and the British and valour) at various places in Maharashtra. He policies were the reasons for the mass famine encouraged the common people to become and widespread atrocities. The outcome of brave and strong like Hanuman; so that they can exploitative policies of the British and the join Shivaji Maharaj's army and fight against the drought was mass starvation. Each day foreign powers. This awakening of spiritual countless people were starving to death. To save consciousness in medieval India became one of people, the sadhu-sanyasis plundered food the main causes of the decline of Aurangzeb and stocks held by British and distributed them the Mughal Empire. among the hungry. Such courageous and

05 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 compassionate acts of the sanyasis earned them This revolution also fostered Hindu-Muslim loyalty and support of the common people. unity. Among the sanyasis, there was a sect of Many peasants, artisans, craftsmen, labourers Madār sanyasis (aka Madaria Fakir). These and others joined the sadhu-sanyasis to fight the were mainly Muslim fakirs. The Hindu sanyasis British. Seeing the alarming danger, the British and Muslim fakirs joined hands and fought banned the entry of sanyasis in Bengal in 1773. fearlessly against the common enemy i.e. the Here a question arises why the British who British. The fakirs were mainly led by Sufi saint defeated the Mughals, Nawabs, French and Majnu Shah. other powers were so afraid of our sanyasis? The British were fighting for their political and Gradually, the fire of the sanyasi revolution economic interest. While the sanyasis were began to spread from Bengal to other places, as fighting for the motherland. The British who well. Sanyasis of different sects led the always fought for land, money and power were revolution in their respective area. People from for the first time confronted with sanyasis who all sections of society started joining this had no materialistic desire. At that time, the revolution. For about 30 to 50 years, the British Army had the most modern weapons. revolution continued in different areas in While our sanyasis had traditional weapons like different forms. The sacred words for every spear, sword and trident. Still the British were Indian "" was also born in this afraid of our sanyasis because the sanyasis were revolution. Bhupendra Nath Dutt, the younger not afraid of death. In India, our sadhu-sanyasis brother of , writes in his celebrate death because it is a festival of union book that the war cry of sanyasis in the Ramna with God. The British were mainly concerned Kali temple in Dhaka was "Vande Mataram." about this spiritual ideology of India. This The then Governor-General spiritual ideology of India posed a grave danger called it a "Sanyasi Rebellion." But later, to their ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. With spiritual Historians like W.W. Hunter and L.S.S. ideology and brilliant guerrilla warfare tactics, O'Malley tried to hide its splendid history by the sanyasi warriors defeated the British on calling it a “Peasant Movement.” The British various occasions. tried their best to erase this chapter of revolution from the pages of history. In their official Here it is important to mention one such documents, the British labelled these sanyasis as occasion. At that time, there was a factory in the “gipsies of Hindustan," "trading pilgrims," Dhaka (Today’s capital of ). In this "disorderly tribe of lawless mendicants," factory, the British exploited the Indian workers "religious vagrants" and so on. But the names of for years. Thus this factory was seen as a symbol these revolutionaries got engraved in the minds of oppression. Under the leadership of sanyasis, of the people. It is important to mention a few many Indians came together and destroyed the names here, such as Bhavani Pathak, Devi factory. The destruction of this factory Chaudhurani, Fateh Bahadur Shahi, Ramanand motivated many people to join the revolution. Gosain, Hazari Singh and Majnu Shah.

06 [email protected] Bhavani Pathak and his disciple Devi Kali Mata temple in this forest. Bhavani Pathak, Chaudhurani played an important role in this Devi Chaudhurani and the rest of the sanyasis revolution. Bhavani Pathak was originally from used to assemble here and devise strategies to region but was fighting in Bengal for fight the British. Today this temple is known as the sake of the motherland. Devi Chaudhurani "Devi Chaudhurani Kali Mandir." And, it is was the widow of Narendra Narayan Roy situated at the Gaushala turn of today's Chaudhary. After the death of her husband, Devi Jalpaiguri town, but at that time the entire area Chaudhurani came under the guidance of was a dense forest. A little further away, there is Bhavani Pathak. From her Guru, Bhavani also a temple in Shikarpur's tea estate called Pathak she received training in sword fighting, "Bhavani Pathak" temple. horse riding and archery. Hiding from the British, these sanyasis lived in the dense forest It can be inferred from these things that at that of Baikunthapur. Whenever they got an time these sanyasis were nothing less than any opportunity, they would attack the British. They deity. They were the true saviour of the people. would loot the British and distribute the looted Among the kings who participated in this items among the needy people. In this manner, revolution, the most prominent name is that of they pestered the British for many decades. Hindu king Fateh Bahadur Shahi. He was the When Bhavani Pathak was killed by the British, king of erstwhile Husseypur estate (Spreading Devi Chaudhurani led the revolution. There is a into the territories of Awadh and Bengal). After

The warrior side of Sanyasis

Illustration by Kripi Singh

07 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 the Battle of Buxar, the British got control over revolution changed. At the end of the 19th this area and thus demanded revenue from him. century, the military war of sanyasis got But Fateh Bahadur Shahi refused to accept the transformed into an ideological and cultural slavery of British. Around 1767, the British war. And this war was led by two new sanyasis: attacked his estate. Realizing the military Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Swami supremacy of British he fled into the nearby Vivekanand. Both Swami Dayanand Saraswati forest of Gorakhpur. But actually, this was the and Swami Vivekanand rekindled the dying start of the British woes. With the help of flame of patriotism in the heart of Indians. sanyasis and few loyal soldiers, Fateh Bahadur Taking inspiration from these two sanyasis, Shahi waged a guerrilla war against the British thousands of Indians took active participation in for almost 3 decades. The British were terrified the freedom struggle. Even our current of these sudden and frequent guerrilla attacks. generation should take inspiration from all these They tried their best to negotiate and reconcile holy souls. Normally, sadhu and sanyasis stayed with Fateh Bahadur Shahi. But for Fateh away from worldly people. They lived in dense Bahadur Shahi any compromise with the British forests and high mountains and pursued their was betrayal with the motherland. For 30 years, spiritual practice. The ultimate aim of their life he remained undefeated and uncaught. Some is to achieve moksha (salvation from the endless historians believe that in the last phase of his cycle of birth and death). But whenever these life, he too became a sanyasi. sadhu-sanyasis saw any threat to the nation, they were the first to raise their swords because All these glorious endeavours would have Indian spirituality teaches us that in the welfare been lost somewhere in history. But the credit of the nation lies our welfare. Thus when the for rediscovering this history goes to Bankim nation was moving towards shackles of slavery, Chandra Chatterjee. Bankim Chandra then the desire for moksha (personal salvation) Chatterjee has given a detailed discussion of this was nothing short of treason. Our sages taught sanyasi revolution in his two novels us that the journey from self to divine goes via "Anandamath" and "Devi Chaudhurani." nation. Thus the service to God is incomplete Bankim Chandra Chatterjee gave "Vande without the service of the nation. We see most of Mataram," the war-cry of sanyasis, a poetic our sadhu-sanyasis wearing saffron robes. form in his novel "Anandamath." This "Vande Because saffron is the colour of sacrifice. Mataram" poem lit the flame of patriotism Sacrifice is the first virtue needed on the path of among countless revolutionaries. And spirituality. Whenever needed, our saffron-clad eventually became the national song of India. sages sacrificed everything for the society and nation. It is because of the sacrifice of countless Immortal Inspiration: such spiritual revolutionaries today we are The British tried their best to suppress this living in a free nation. No wonder, saffron (the revolution by killing numerous sadhu-sanyasi. colour of sacrifice) is at the top of our national But they were not able to kill the spirit of this flag. revolution. Over some time, the nature of this

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Shivprasad Gupt guided this organization. Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth and Gandhi Ashram People of Kashi protested against the Rowlatt also came into existence due to this movement. Act implemented by Britishers. Along with this, These organizations played an important role in people of Kashi donated a lot to the Martyrs and boosting the Independent movement. Victims of Punjab. In January 1921 students of Kashi took the This would have been impossible without the responsibility to move forth the movement. support of its people but they were not They started by protesting their classes. On the remembered in pages of history. I mentioned the day of their examination, they called for a strike. name Shivprasad Gupt many times. Did the They lied down in front of the entrance gate of historians mention them according to their the college. Dr Abdul Karim was arrested along contribution? Maybe not. But, their role is with many students. On one hand, it challenged important for the whole India along with Kashi. the and on the other, it displayed Shivprasad Gupt started a daily newspaper to the Hindu-Muslim unity. Dr Abdul Karim is a give pace to the movement in India. It came on 5 name which not only led the student movement December with the name ‘Aaj.’ in Banaras but also provided it speed. There was great support from Kashi when the Congress on On 26 November came to India tour of the Prince of Wales proposed that Kashi to extend the non-cooperation movement. there must be a full strike wherever he goes. When the Independence movement became There was a full strike on 16 November and extreme in 1921 then also Kashi played an Section 144 was implemented in the city. A important role. Organizations like Mahatma platoon was moved around the city but it had no

A still from Banaras

Illustration by Kripi Singh

12 [email protected] major impact. Earlier it was planned on 10th Dr Abdul Karim faith was developed for Kashi November to issue a notice to popularize this and they held an economic meet, discussing the and notice was put on the house of Dr Bhagwan bad condition of farmers. In 1926, the Das of Kashi. When the matter reached the Provincial office of Allahabad (today Prayagraj) collector he picked up the notice before it was relocated to Kashi. Sampoorananda was the popularized and many people were arrested that head of this office. An ‘all-party meet’ was night. Prince of Wales was to be awarded D. Lit. arranged in 1928. The proposal was passed for by the Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya of boycotting the commission and it was decided Banaras. In this event, instead of students, that no one will give any statement in front of the workers were sitting with the uniform. This way commission as there was no provincial congress the strike was successful. office till then. The preparations for the strike were in full swing. We see that in 1921, Pandit Kamla Pati Tripathi, Kuber Singh, Raghunath Singh, The release date of the commission was kept Kalamata Prasad Vidhyarthi, and many other secret but how can it be kept hidden from the people were directing the movement. These people of Kashi. Strikes were planned in many warriors of Kashi fought until the very last day. places like railway stations, Kashi Hindu The Provincial meet in 1924 took place in Vishwavidyalaya and Gyaan Vaapi. The result Kashi. Due to people like Shivprasad Gupt and was that the members of the commission had to get down at a station earlier upon their arrival. A neighbourhood from the 1900s Strikers knew of this action and reached there too. Due to this, the commission had to return without visiting Kashi. After the announcement of Satyagrah, activities became faster in Kashi. Satyagrah was carried in Varanasi in a place named Soniya on 8 April 1930. It was due to the influence of Kashi that many regions nearby also started to break the salt law. ‘Shri Sumangal Prasad’ of Kashi also participated in the Dandi March of Gandhi. After this law of government, the daily newspaper ‘Aaj’ was closed for six months. In this period, a daily newspaper named ‘Rannbheri’ took the lead and was also on the target of the British government. Police raided many places against it.

Even during the 1942, the activities of revolutionaries of Banaras were Illustration by Kripi Singh on the peak. Rallies were done in Banaras and

13 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 regions nearby it like Cholapur, Saiydraj, When we see the first big use of Gandhi’s Dashashvamedh etc. Police brutally attacked Satyagrah, which held in Champaran, in these rallies, they fired shots and lathis. 1917 then we will find that after listening to Thousands were martyred and many more were Gandhi’s struggle in South Africa, many sent to jail but this couldn’t lower the spirit of farmers came to help him. When Gandhi Ji left rallies in Banaras. Banaras played a crucial role for Champaran, many big leaders like Rajendra in all fights for freedom be it the fight of 1781 Prasad, J.P. Kriplani, Narhaari Parikh, Mahadev and 1857 or 1942. Thousands of people were Desai etc. were with him. Condition of farmers participating in their ways and big leaders were was examined in detail with the help of these helping in their mission. I met a freedom fighter people. The angry officials of district ordered Babu B. N. Sahay of Gazipur situated near them to leave Champaran but they violated that Banaras in his last days. When he was just nine order. Contribution of others can’t be forgotten years old, he was very inspired by Subhas in the victory of Mahatma Gandhi in Civil Chandra Bose. He played a major role in his area Disobedience. For the Non-cooperation to speed up the movement. With his strong will Movement, thousands of farmers from all power, he established a school named after provinces and Bengal non-cooperated. Farmers Subhash Chandra Bose. of tea plantation farms in Assam did strikes. The Army

Illustration by Kripi Singh

14 [email protected] Farmers of Midanpur rejected to pay taxes to handloom industries, national banks and loan union bank. The whole population of Chirala companies were opened. The contribution of rejected to give taxes to the municipality and P.C. Ray can’t be forgotten who started the had already left the town. All officials of famous Bengal chemical swadeshi store. Pedananpadu gave resignation. The protest of Guntur district can’t be forgotten which took By 1945, Indian citizens were filled with self- place under the guidance of Dugirala Gopal confidence and were ready to take on the British Krishnaiah. It was a very powerful movement in Empire face to face. Fauz was Guntur District. In East Bengal even chanting established by now. People were just not ready ‘Vande Mataram’ was banned. Public meetings to face the rule and atrocities by the British were given very fewer funds and sometimes Empire. Now they could not take a breath of they were even not permitted. Laws were made relaxation till they got the Independence. Navy to control the Press. The cases were filed on had revolted. Strikes were going on for people Indigenous workers and they were given long of Azad Hind Fauz who were imprisoned. In terms of jail. Many students were given strict 1945-46 there were many strikes and protests and brutal physical punishments. One of the across the whole country. In 1945 millions of biggest examples of suppression is the attack of people of Kolkata protested for the Azad Hind police on Bengal Provincial Meet in Baarisaal in Fauz. In 1946 there were many protests for the April 1906. Many youngsters were beaten badly release of Abdur Rashid a member of Azad Hind and the meet was dismissed forcibly. In Fauz. Why there were so many protests for December 1908, nine political leaders were release of a single Abdur Rashid? It is necessary forcibly exiled from the country. In these Krishn to shed light on these pages of history. There was Kumar Mitra and Ashvini Kumar Dutt were also a complete strike in Bombay for the Navy and included. Chidambaram Pille in Madras and the army was called to suppress this protest. 250 Hari Sarvottam Rao in Andhra Pradesh were were injured by bullets within just 48 hours. made prisoners. We find many examples of the in the culture. The stories of Independence of the country Development of nationalistic poems, proses and are widespread. In these, many people have journalism were witnessed. Rabindranath contributed. It can’t be covered in an article, it is Tagore is a well-known name of Bengal related a matter of research and a huge topic for to this field but people like Rajnikant Sen, thinking and research. Saiyad Abu Mohammed and Mukund Das also wrote patriotic songs. They are still sung in Bengal. Many creative and innovative ways Sources: were used for Independence. A crucial element 1. History of Modern India by Bipin Chandra of the Swadeshi Movement was the focus given 2. Bharat ka Swantantra Sangram by Bipin to Self-dependency and self-confidence. Many Chandra cloth mills, factories of soap and matches, 3. Kashi ka Itihas by Motichand

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Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin the Government. The Modi Government has Malik, separatists , Shabir Shah truly and undoubtedly empowered NIA to and Masarat Alam Bhat, and filed a charge sheet proceed against the devil and against them for criminal conspiracy and several other separatists and terrorists. carrying out terrorist activities in the region. A former J&K MLA Rashid Engineer has also A much needed “Operation Maa” was been named in the charge sheet. In a launched by the Indian Army last year. The basic supplementary charge sheet, the National objective of this mission was to ensure that Investigation Agency (NIA) also has youth indulged into terrorism by Pakistan- established the role of the Pakistan High backed terror groups are brought back into the Commission in supporting separatists through folds of mainstream society. Indian Army is financial channels and creating unrest in counselling and rehabilitating local youth of the Kashmir. Valley who have chosen the path of terrorism. As the data says, more than 60 local youth have After the delay of almost 30 years, the trial been pulled away from terrorism until now. resumed on the 11th of September, 2019 at a TADA court in Jammu against JKLF chief Yasin Large gatherings at funerals of terrorists were Malik for his involvement in the horrendous used for recruitment of youth into terrorist 1990 Indian Air Force personnel killings. Yasin groups, this is now a thing of the past as now Malik is currently in Tihar Jail in a separate only a handful of close relatives are seen at terror funding case. Ironically, senior leaders of burial grounds. Now terrorists are buried in the Congress like PC Chacko have lauded Yasin presence of few close relatives only. Whereas Malik for his “bravery” in not surrendering to earlier such funerals used to attract a huge crowd. Security Forces have now started a A Stone Pelter, Kashmir policy of not disclosing the names of terrorists and not to hand over the bodies to their relatives.

Abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A was a vital move for the eradication of terrorism in the valley. This has had a positive impact on the state at several levels, there has been a rise in peace, reduction in terrorism and cross border infiltration, negligible incidents of stone- pelting, decreasing morale of the Hurriyat Conference and other political parties such as PDP and National Conference which were inducing hatred in the minds of local Kashmiri youth and making them against their nation. Thus, it can be very firmly said that the Modi Government has undeniably taken great steps in uprooting terrorism and paving a way for Illustration by Kripi Singh development in Jammu & Kashmir.

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A train carrying passengers between the divided nations

Illustration by Kripi Singh

19 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 the same Allama Iqbal who wrote Taran-E- to return to India and Hindi in 1904. It is believed that this radical lead the league. Jinnah returned to India in the transformation occurred when he left for the UK mid-1930s and became the President of Muslim and turned into an Islamic fundamentalist and league. paved path for the creation of Pakistan. He is regarded as the spiritual father of Pakistan During an address to party members in 1940, because it was based on his speech that two- Jinnah declared that Muslims would be nation theory was formulated. In his presidential politically and economically undermined in a address at the 25th Annual Session of the All Hindu majority India. A turning point arrived in India Muslim League on the 29th of December, 1937 with the Act. The 1930, he said, “India is a continent of human Muslim League, the second most powerful party beings belonging to different languages and yet with less support than Congress, found itself professing different religions…I, therefore, sidelined. Many Muslims feared that the British demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim Raj was now likely to be replaced by a Hindu state in the best interests of the Muslims of India Raj. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, seeing this and Islam.” In the same address, Muhammad opportunity broke from Congress Party and Iqbal also said, “I would like to see the Punjab, pledged to turn the Muslim League into a mass North-West Frontier Province, Sind and movement. The question was of India's largest Baluchistan amalgamated into a single State. minority community, Muslims. Their leaders Self-government within the British Empire, or had long served in the Congress Party. Leaders without the British Empire, the formation of a like Maulana Azad, President of Congress from consolidated North-West Indian Muslim State 1840-1946 were more than willing to remove appears to me to be the final destiny of the the Britishers and construct a modern nation. Muslims, at least of North-West India.” They believed that Hindus, Muslims and Muhammad Iqbal in 1931 announced the Sikhs would live peacefully in the FREE formation of a separate nation. In 1933, a group INDIA. But, some Muslims thought that their of Muslims living near Britain's Cambridge interests and traditions might be best protected University took Iqbal's suggestion further and if they had a nation of their own. It was the published a pamphlet called "Now or Never" in events of World War 2 that solidified the split which they not only proposed the boundaries between Congress and Muslim League and the but also called the new nation Pakistan. stubbornness of Muhammad Ali Jinnah which Claiming that he was guided by Allah, ensured that the League was committed to Chaudhary Rehmat Ali asserted that the new Partition. Jinnah's appeal was based on the State should consist of Punjab, Afghanistan, worldwide conception that nations were not Kashmir, Sind and Baluchistan. From this came simply political entities but groups of people the name- Pakistan, that is, the land of the pure. united by language, religion, custom, ethnic Iqbal also urged lawyer and politician, background and other factors. Thus, Indian Muslims constituted a nation.

20 [email protected] Our expert, Professor Pradip Kumar Gandhi disagreed with this idea, claiming comments on this matter and says: In 1928 a that Indian Muslims were descended from separate electorate was given to the citizens of Hindu converts to Islam and thus they India, Mohammad Ali Jinnah did his fourteen fundamentally remained Indians. Professor points program after the came, in Pradip Kumar on this matter says: Gandhi ji was 1928. From this point onwards, it became clear a sole leader, I am saying it categorically. He that the Muslim League wants certain important was a sole leader who brought the people of issues to be decided for the people of Pakistan India together as a one. Our nationalism, the by the government to protect their rights nationalism of India is the nationalism of unity! because they were a minority. About 25% of the We all know how divided our country was, in population of India belonged to a minority various princely states, in provinces, in the community known as the Muslims. Due to this, presidencies everyone had different views and Muslim League was established as they feared those princely states were sovereign states. that the rest 75% community is definitely going Gandhi ji never advocated partition. In to dominate and wherever the issue of December 1946, people were almost made to nationalism comes, this fear always plays an believe that partition is an inevitable thing, important role in it that “you are a minority and partition has to happen. Sardar Patel announced thus you will be dominated by the majority that India will remain united in case (26:05) community.” It was not just because of his fear, means India cant remain united without division it was the fear of his whole community, of which because the leadership of the congress was not he was a representative. demanding partition it was the Muslim League

21 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 which was demanding partition. Partition was “I shall,” he said, “if there is a Muslim full of forced migration, loss of property and doctor.” death. This partition legacy is one of the major reasons for bitter distrust between India and Professor Pradip Kumar on the issue of Pakistan. Almost 11.5 million people migrated Partition being stopped says, “I don’t think that and around 10 million of them were from partition could have been stopped because as I Punjab. Nearly 7 to 10 lakh people were killed. told you earlier, the outrage in the age of decolonisation was over the threshold and to The British found themselves quite happy find the bigger share of the political power was a with the events. Lord Samuel said, “it may be very clear intention of all the political leaders said of the as Shakespeare said of the and Jinnah was amongst those leaders. Partition Thane of Cawdor- 'Nothing in his life became could have stopped or not is a very difficult like him like the leaving of it'.” A British official question. For this, we need to know that, in all writes: “Punjab is an absolute inferno and it is the nations, communities identify themselves still going strong. Thousands have been differently and when gradually communities murdered and tens and hundreds of thousands of start to identify themselves, political assertions refugees are streaming about. There has been a also start to increase. And this political lot of arson. It will take generations to work to assertiveness leads you towards the idea of put things straight.” An Indian army officer, K. nationalism. When there is a large majority and P. Candeth recalled, “I remember seeing a train a small minority then there is a threat to the come in from Pakistan and there wasn’t a single minority of being dominated by the majority. live person on it; there were just bodies, dead But partition could have been stopped only on and butchered. Now, that train entered India and one condition that like one majority community the people saw it. And the next Pakistan-bound was saying that minority should be appeased train that came, they set upon it, and the then the minority should have decided upon slaughter was terrible.” being with the majority supporting them, then only partition could have stopped, else partition A British soldier on the scene spoke much was very much in the cards. more directly. He remembered that in parts of Lahore, “Corpses lay in the gutter. Nearby a Kuldip Nayar in his book ‘Tales of Two posse of Muslim police chatted unconcerned. A Cities’ writes, “Was it inevitable, I ask? Could British major . . . had also arrived. He and his its thirst for blood have been slaked by some driver were collecting the bodies. Some were means other than India’s division?” Holding dead.Some were dying. All were mutilated. Jinnah and Nehru equally “responsible”, Nayar They were Sikhs. Their long hair and beards explains the Partition was not inevitable, to were matted with blood. An old man, not so bad begin with. The Cabinet Mission Plan held the as the rest, asked me where we were taking promise of resolution but as events panned out them. “To the hospital,” I replied, adding to and Nehru and Jinnah remained implacable, it hearten him, “You’re not going to die.” became inevitable.

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and filmmakers have always shown only his times when religious persecution was common positive side. None of his deeds was free from throughout Europe and Asia, Akbar was the one cruelty, treachery and lust for conquest. Akbar who introduced Din-E-Ilahi (1582) where wasn't secular at all. He enjoyed killing Hindus, positive elements of all religions were brought and Acharyas. The concept of Din-E- together. He also introduced the term 'Suleh Illahi was created where forced conversions of Kul'- meaning universal tolerance and peace for Hindus into Muslim was done. He also forcibly all. He was an embodiment of Hindu-Muslim converted Tansen into a Muslim, naming his unity as he removed Jazia tax imposed on Finauvat Khan. Akbar was a womanizer, having Hindus.” 300 wives. Moreover, his officials were free to slaughter cows and vandalise Hindu temples to But, history says something else. Badayuni build mosques.” writes in his book, “Defeating Bez Bahadur, the Sultan of Malwa at Sangrur near Dewas in Another debater, Arpita Pal, contradicts and Central India, Akbar’s General Adam Khan and says, “I believe that he was a great emperor. Peer Mohammad brought the captures before Crowned as a king at just the age of 13, he ruled them and troop after troop of them were put to for 50 years establishing a huge empire. Many death so that their blood flowed river upon the social, political, religious and cultural reforms river.” Another such incident is of April 1567 were introduced under his rule. In 1556, India where it is mentioned, “It gave Akbar great was a fragmented nation and the one who took pleasure to see that two factions of hated Hindu steps to consolidate the divided country cannot slaughtered one another. He drove immense be called a demon for sure. The administrative pleasure from two groups of men stabbing and policies he pursued, can be seen being followed stoning one another.” Adding to the barbarous in the current times too. Various administrative activities of Akbar, it is also mentioned by Abu departments were developed on the basis of the Fazal in his book that- “Akbar tortured concept of checks and balances. Akbar always Mohammad Mirak of Mashhad, a special encouraged and promoted integrated confidant of Khan Zaman (who had revolted development of all religions together, for which against Akbar). He was tortured for 5 he also introduced Ibadat Khana, where people consecutive days on the execution ground. Each belonging to various religions used to gather day he was trussed up in a wooden frame and and the positive points of all religions were kept placed before one of the elephants. The together. Matrimonial alliances with Rajputs elephants caught him in his trunk and flung it was also an example of his religious tolerance.” from one side to another.” Abu Fazal related this horrid barbarity without a word of censure. One Debater Chetna Garg adds to this, “Akbar of the most barbarous activities by Akbar also showed religious tolerance, secured trade, includes the battle of which was administration and military and patronized art fought on Sep 2 1573. In accordance with the and culture. So, it won't be wrong to say that he gruesome custom of times, a pyramid was built not only ruled on land or resources but ruled the with the heads of the rebels, more than 2000 in hearts of people. Mughal Empire grew 3 times numbers. in size as well as wealth under his rule. In the

24 [email protected] While the royal courts of the Mughals are Talking about distorted history, debater praised and glorified in history textbooks, an Dinesh Nishad says, “The easiest way to alternative historical account can be seen in the destroy a nation is to attack its history and story of the young, handsome Hindu painter culture, which is being done in India also. We named Yashwant (misspelt by Muslim are being intentionally taught such history in

chronicles as Deshbandh) who stabbed himself which foreign invaders are glorified while real to death from melancholia because of the foul Indian heroes are not discussed anywhere. False atmosphere in Akbar's court which was reeking history and movies like Jodha Akbar, Mughal- with sodomy, doping, drugging, drinking and E-Azam deliberately create a positive image of prostitution. Also, while Akbar is praised for Akbar in our minds. But he was actually a being secular, one historical evidence recounts demon. He wanted to build the largest Harem of the entering of Akbar in Chittor on Feb 24, 1568. the world where he kept more than 5000 He issued an order of general massacre. females. As P.N. Oak wrote in his book, ‘Who Throughout the day the invaders roamed in the Says Akbar was Great,’ Akbar celebrated an streets, killing and destroying. The numbers occasion called “Khuda Roz” or “Khusroz” in killed was so vast that the sacred threads (Janeu) which he made all the females of his kingdom of killed Brahmins alone weighed 741/2 stand naked so as to select some of them for his maunda of 8 seers each (1 maunda = 34kg appx, harem. In 1568, 8000-12000 women committed 1 seer = 0.9 kg appx) that is 18,237 Kgs of “Johar” (3rd Johar of Chittorgarh) in order to thread. save themselves from Akbar's lust. When he got

25 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 to know this, out of anger, he killed 30,000 humanity and should not be practised by any innocent civilians present at the fort. Many means.” Dinesh Nishad further countered, “You historians claim that Bairam Khan (who made just discussed the Sati System… Akbar stopped Akbar a king) was killed by Akbar himself. And this Pratha just for the reason that instead of after his death, Akbar even put Bairam Khan's setting young females on fire, it would be better mother in his harem. to put them in his harem to satisfy his lust. Abdul Qadir Badayuni (historian) wrote that it was a It is also recorded by P.N. Oak in his book, rule in the Mughal Empire that if the king liked a ‘Was Akbar Really Great’ that “It was the law of woman, may it be a married one, her husband the Mogul Emperors that if the emperor cast his had to forcibly divorce her so that Badshaah eyes on any women then the husband was bound could marry her.” to divorce her and the virtuous sic lady entered the imperial harem.” Many women were bound Debater Dinesh Nishad also questioned to have burnt themselves with fire or acid to those defending Akbar as a religiously tolerant render their faces ugly and unattractive to the person by saying, “As per the author of 'Akbar royal abductors. Among them, many even and his India'- Irfan Habib, Akbar declared bribed royal agents with sexual gratification to himself a 'Ghazi' in 1575. It refers to a person escape permanent detention in emperors gilded fighting for Islam who kills non-Muslims or cages and teaming harem. Badayuni writes, kaafir for no reason. I will go ahead with the “Anybody could lift anybody’s daughter, sister incident of 1568. He wasn't a kid, for sure, at or wife in Akbar’s reign and gift her away or that time. During the second war of Panipat, I detain her in his own house.” Muslim rule can agree that he was a child. But, after his reduced Hindusthan to a great brothel and victory over Chittorgarh, Akbar wrote 'Fateh-E- Akbar was glorified as the chief patron of this Chittor' that he declared from Ajmer Sharif's vast brothel. Another form of lechery practised Dargah in the month of Ramzan. He wrote, “I by Akbar in his own grand royal style of cruelty am just fulfilling the responsibility given to me and repression was to force his subjects to by Allah. I have killed the Kaafirs (non- parade their women for him. The festival called Muslims) and vandalised their temples and I ‘Khusroz’ is mentioned by Colonel Todd in his will spread Islam in the whole country.” This is book, “Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan.” written in a book of 1971, ‘Proceedings of Indian National Congress.’ How can you still Chetna Garg countered by saying, call him secular?” “Regarding the issue of women welfare, I want to tell everyone that Akbar was the one who Chetna Garg answered, “In 48th and 49th introduced the concept of widow remarriage, sessions of Indian National Congress, Irfan thus discouraging the system of Sati Pratha. He Habib presented papers, according to which he believed that it was the right of women to live as studied in Vrindavan and found that in 1598, they wish. Colonel G.B. Malleson in his book Akbar permitted grants for the temples which 'Akbar and the rise of Mughal Empire' states were being constructed. Also, Akbar personally that Akbar himself said that such harsh looked into the matters and resolved the issues treatment to women is against the law of of that area. Now tell me, isn't it possible that he

26 [email protected] might have been transformed at a later stage let me give you another reference. At the time of after witnessing the religious diversity in Akbar, Goa was under Portuguese rule. In Goa India?” Arpita Pal also added, “Akbar belonged lived a Christian Missionary named Father to Islam. Although he thought of consolidating Monserrate, S.J. who travelled to the Mughal all religions together, doesn't mean he should court to meet Akbar around 1579-80. He wrote a forget his own religion, right? Following one's travelogue on this journey. In this book, he religion and becoming a Ghazi isn't a problem mentions that in the Mughal Empire, many unless he is imposing it on anyone else. Din-I- Hindu temples were demolished. And at those Illahi is the biggest proof of his secularism. He sites, Muslim built dargah and mosque. And all abolished Jizya Tax imposed on Hindus and this happened circa 1579-80, so how can we call even did not force his Rajput wife to convert Akbar a secular king? The wrong history is into a Muslim. What else can you expect? taught to us about Akbar being great. Few good deeds of Akbar were actually performed by his Dinesh Nishad countered, “Talking of Jizya Navratna. Akbar was an alcoholic and a tax, let me tell you, Jizya tax was removed in womanizer. He was never a good ruler.” 1562 but reimposed by Akbar in 1575 when he was pressured by Maulavis. Second thing, Din- The expert of the show, Dr Ashutosh Jha I-Illahi was introduced in the very last phase of comments, “When you see Akbar in binaries, his life. If a person instigates killings and understanding him definitely becomes tough. commits sins in his entire lifetime, but does just The references have to be very clear. This is one good thing at last, does that mean we should exactly what we want to see in our youth. The forget and ignore all his cruelties?” He further biggest problem with history in our country is added, “As you spoke about him being a secular, that the one who doesn't know history speaks

27 WhatsApp: +91 7428522756 about it and the others who should know history, But, it’s really unfair to call Akbar the true don't bother to read it.” He further adds, “See, Indian emperor like he is called in movies and when we talk about Akbar, we have to mainstream media because he didn’t rule the understand how Akbar has been portrayed or entire country. The areas under his rule included described in our history texts. The historical present-day Gujrat, Punjab, Balochistan, writings have been very Delhi centric. But I Kashmir, Orissa, Sindh, Qandahar, Khandesh, believe, our country does not need a Delhi- Bihar, Bengal Kabul and a small portion of centric history. History is not static. It is a Deccan. Thus calling him “Azim-O-Shan dynamic subject. But we are reading it while Shehenshah” is a bit of exaggeration as he was leaving behind its dynamism. Today, new not the sole emperor of India. Other rulers like archaeological facts are coming, new facts in Rana Pratap proved a tough competition to climatology are coming, new research tools are Akbar’s rule because they wisely choose to coming. But those new research tools are not fight gorilla war in the Hills and forests of South being used for developing new hypotheses and Rajasthan wherein Mughal outposts were new observations. History is very scientific. So attacked, Mughal forces travelling towards first, the study of history and the approach Gujarat were harassed, caravans coming from towards historical study requires a huge change western parts were raided, areas occupied by so that true, modern and scientific history is Mughal village when burnt, wells were blocked passed on to us. Else, we would go on building etc. From the hills in forests of Aravali and wrong narratives. Hence, I believe that it should Kumbhalgarh range, Rana Pratap raged his lone be restructured, reordered and rewritten.” battle against the expanding Mughal Empire.

On being asked about Akbar being an Indian Building up to the question of the right by the moderator, Garvit Vij, Dr Ashutosh Jha representation of facts in history and how it is answered, “In our country, identity is not only distorted by historians due to their agendas, the on the basis of geographical boundaries or debate brings into perspective how facts are religion. Our country's identity is multi meddled with, voices are muzzled and history is structural and multilayered, be it language, clan, changed like in the case of Akbar where he is identity on the basis of some cultural moorings. represented as the most just and great emperor. As far as Akbar is concerned, definitely he was Historical accounts of travellers and other not an Indian when he was born here. All his writers showing his true personality are often ancestors came from abroad. But when he ignored not only by historians but also by became the Baadshah (Emperor) of India, ruled directors and producers who make films and TV here for many years, married Indian women, serials with incomplete information, leading to especially Hindu females, and along with that the creation of a fake narrative. when he started the concept of Din-I-Illahi to find a mid-way, I believe he became Indian at But, that is why we need to debate the facts that time.” and create narratives. Debating Narratives does that!

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