Dr. Udit Raj
Recently, some historians raised the issue about Rana Pratap that he was not defeated and the history has been distorted in this respect. Babar in 1526 AD with nearly 15 thousand troops fought and won the battle of Panipat. The war of Haldighati which took place between Ranapratap and Akbar was known to everybody. The historians are saying that history is wrongly written, it seems they want to steal limelight or there could be some agenda. The correct position would be that research be done to find out the reasons for such defeats. If the society was not fragmented on the lines of caste and religion, there was a no question to have had such incidents. Robert Clive with just three thousand soldiers won the Battle of Plassey, how he won and why should it not be analyzed and what were the circumstances which paved him to succeed. What happened in the past that can’t be altered and can make our future bright.
We must learn something from the past and that is why the account of incidents is preserved. The history is not to memorize and to be preserved in the books, but to learn from good and bad. When the country is gifted with all seasons, fertile land, plenty of sun and rich heritage and culture then why it is backward. Japan consists 80 percent of rocky land and always struck by natural calamities and disasters such as Earthquakes and Tsunami, has done the best. Our historians should bring about past fallacies so that lesson can be learnt to shape the future. Leftist historian have remained confined to the economic analysis where the main reason for the defeat was social and religious. When Clive was heading to Murshidabad from the sea-coast, he was so fearful that if onlookers pelted stones and bricks, his army would be crushed. Historians see that the British won the battle because of internal sabotage. It was Mirjafar who back-stabbed. Historians have always cited some or other reasons like internal feuds, old weapons, treacherous act of enemies and sell out of commanders and generals in the hands of enemies, etc. but failed to analyze the torn society along the caste and gender lines. We were at that time least Bengalis and Indians and more as a barbers, earthen pot makers, shoe-makers, milkmen, goldsmith, blacksmith and candles etc. Everyone was busy in their profession. There was the least feeling of Bengalis and Indians, but more to remain in their own kith kin and caste. Hardly any body was left to feel Bengali or Indian to thward the outside attack. Who helped Clive or the East India Company to rule the country, nothing but our divided society.
History is about the need to work and if this is possible only then the historians are honest. It is surprising that historians have not gone in the reasons for the defeats. Researches and writing have been advanced however correct perspectives have yet to be conceived In 60s and 70s economic and social perspective were adopted to write the history and caste divide and gender separation weas yet to be thought of. A few years back, the Aligarh Muslim University organized a gigantic seminar in which I was also invited to speak. Incidentally, the famous historian Prof. Irfan Habib was also present. While speaking I asked the audience if there could be a few books narrating the life which was live. Just three days back I happened to be in Muzaffarnagar, and it was a news to me that muslim are also divided on caste lines and they don’t marry among Rangad, Jojha, Tyasi sections. I spokle that such things were not taught to the students. What an irony that the life we live, experienced we go through do not form the part of syllabus of universities and colleges. History needs to be re-written and it can’t be done till correct perspectives are known.
Need of the hour is research and re-write the history, in the context of social-religious prevailing at that time and space. In almost all historical accounts the same common reasons have been cited for defeat, backwardness and bloodshed. Now the time has come to de-brahmanise the history and make it inclusive. Partial and elitist approach has to be discontinued to correct our present and future. The lower castes and untouchables were not friends, courtiers and partners of the invaders.
They always remained at the bottom, socially or religiously discriminated and fragmented and so complacent and neutral that they felt themselves like objects and materials. They thought that nothing could be changed as it was all designed in the past life. These are the area to be worked, discussed and debated to jettison the long awaited cause to unite the society and not what had been done in the past.
(The author is Member Parliament)
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