The main chapter of how Hindutva sees the past

For Prelims: Gyanvapi mosque case, Fergana Valley, Battle of Haldighati, NCERT

Books and their authors:

1 Dr. Shashi Tharoor. - An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India, The Battle of Belonging,  Ambedkar: A Life

Historical figures: M.S. Golwalkar, V.S. Naipaul, Maharana Pratap, Raja Man Singh , Hakim Khan Sur, Bahadur Shah, Zeenat Mahal, Maulavi Ahmadullah and General Bakht Khan.

For Mains: Perception of History and its influence on Indian society.

Highlights of the Article:

• Hindutva ideology sees Hindu religious culture as India's national culture, conflating religion, culture, nation, and state.
• The Mughals are portrayed as foreigners, while Hindu rulers are depicted as valiant resisters in the Hindutva narrative.
• Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor, is a controversial figure. Hindutva's perception of him as a Muslim fanatic who destroyed Hindu temples is challenged by historical evidence that portrays a more nuanced view of his reign.
• Hindutva constructs history based on religion-based binaries, ignoring instances of cooperation between Hindu and Muslim rulers.
• Figures like Ashoka, Akbar, and Jai Singh, known for their tolerance, are excluded from Hindutva's list of national heroes.
• The recent past is also subject to Hindutva's selective construction of history, with Muslim leaders in the Indian independence struggle often omitted.
• The educational system is a battleground for Hindutva, as curriculum revisions are used to promote Hindutva narratives and appropriate nationalist figures.

Context:

The context of the article is the revival of historical debates and contestations in India, particularly within the framework of Hindutva ideology. It explores how Hindutva views the past, particularly Indian history after the Muslim conquests, and how it shapes its narratives to establish Hindu religious culture as the national culture of India.

UPSC EXAM NOTES EDITORIAL ANALYSIS:

1.Introduction:

• The article discusses the ongoing debates about history in India, specifically focusing on Hindutva ideology.
• It explores how Hindutva shapes its understanding of the past, particularly regarding religion, culture, and national identity.

2.Combining Religion, Culture, Nation, and State:

• Hindutva ideology tries to connect Hindu religious culture with India's national culture, blurring the lines between religion, culture, nation, and state.
• It aims to unite Hindu religious identity with the idea of the nation.

3.Historical Battle: Muslim Conquests and Pluralists:

• Hindutva sees Indian history after the Muslim conquests as a battleground between Hindutva supporters and pluralists.
• It portrays Muslim rulers as outsiders, while celebrating Hindu rulers as brave defenders against perceived oppression.

4.Controversial Perception of Aurangzeb:

• The article highlights the conflicting views of Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor, within Hindutva ideology.
• Hindutva presents Aurangzeb as a fanatic who destroyed Hindu temples, while historical evidence offers a more nuanced understanding of his reign.

5. Simplistic Divisions Based on Religion:

• Hindutva constructs history using religious divisions, depicting Muslim rulers as inherently evil and Hindu rulers as symbols of Hindu nationalism.
• It overlooks instances of cooperation between Hindu and Muslim rulers, disregarding complex alliances formed throughout history.

6.Exclusion of Liberal and Tolerant Rulers:

• Hindutva's narrative excludes liberal and tolerant rulers like Ashoka, Akbar, Jai Singh, and Wajid Ali Shah from its list of national heroes.
• This exclusion reflects Hindutva's preference for a simplistic view of history, emphasizing Hindu-Muslim divisions.

7.Selective Portrayal of Recent Past:

• Hindutva's influence extends to the recent past, often omitting figures like Bahadur Shah and other Muslim leaders in the Indian independence struggle from its narratives.
• It pays less attention to syncretic traditions and universalist religious reformers compared
• to the glorification of "Hindu heroes."

8.Educational System as a Battleground:

• The article emphasizes the importance of the educational system in promoting Hindutva narratives.
• Hindutva advocates for changes in the curriculum that align with its ideology, aiming to shape students' understanding of history.

9.Conclusion:

• The article concludes that the resurgence of historical debates reflects the enduring impact of the past on the Hindutva movement.
• Hindutva's demonization of the Mughals seeks to undermine Indian Muslims, while its appropriation of nationalist figures aims to strengthen its nationalist image.
• The article underscores the ongoing struggle to shape national identity through history within the context of Hindutva ideology.

Source: The Hindu