It has been rightly said history repeats itself. My post here is in context of how events have been described in mainstream narratives over decades/centuries. Since last 1000+ years, it has been the same. The perpetrators find a place, a major place in these narratives. #Thread1
That's how over years we hve read in detail abt Mahmud of Ghazni, Mohd Ghori, Qutb-uddin-Aibak, Taimur, Babur, Bakhtiyar Khilji, Akbar, Aurangzeb, Robert Clive, Lord Dalhousie; list on. They dominate narratives in history textbooks; every school child bound to read this. #Thread2
And we celebrate/relive barbarism of these invaders/looters in our daily lives not only in books but also in streets. So we have Akbar Road. We have Bakhtiyarpur Junction in name destroyer of our ancient universities. We have roads in name of traitors - Mann Singh Road. #Thread3
Warriors who defended Dharma/motherland never found place in mainstream narratives. So, no surprises that history textbooks don't describe them. So, we never knew abt Raja Prithu, who defeated Bakhtiyar Khilji. Do not know abt Karnavati, who defeated Shah Jahan's forces. #Thread4
We do not know about Kapaya Nayaka, who defeated the Turks and re-established Hindu supremacy in Warangal. We do not know about Raja Narasimhadev who defeated the Bengal Sultanate and built Konark Sun temple to commemorate the victories. The list goes on. #Thread5
The one-sided mainstream narrative prompted me to write #SaffronSwords (grpr.in/swa) that celebrates the valor of 52 of our warrior ancestors. Many more volumes of the book with each volume celebrating 52 warriors, in the offing. #Thread6
Today's times are no different. Perpetrators still have say in mainstream narrative. Victims still demonized as perpetrators. That's how Kashmiri Hindu genocide/Exodus happened; yet victims, refugees in own motherland, don't have say or find place in mainstream narrative #Thread7
Bharat partitioned on basis of religion yet 'thekedaars' of partition played dirty politics, sowing seeds for future problems. Constitution further created divisions facilitating minority card game. Riots since Partition with 'peacefuls' instrumental in instigating same #Thread8
The recent Delhi Riots is no different. And then we see the rise of a new 'secular' fabric in the society. Whatever the creations and the consequences, perpetrators still hold sway in mainstream narratives. #Thread9
