GUWAHATI: While the combat over "historical distortions" in 'Padmavati' rages across the country, RSS-affiliated historians have advocated for a "shift" in the approach to historiography of the northeast that may encourage "rashtriya chetna" (nationwide consciousness).
"It is time to rewrite India's history. We had such a glorious past. Unfortunately, it never gets the attention it deserves. It is the same case with Assam. Our ancient state, known as Pragjyotishpur, earned repute for several achievements in astrology and other fields. We had great rulers like Kumar Bhaskar Barman. Our historiography should bring out the achievements and glory of our state so that the new generation can draw inspiration from it," Gauri Shankar Chakraborty, joint organizing secretary for the northeast of RSS, mentioned on the 9th triennial convention of RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti, Assam (BISSA) on Sunday.
The concept of "distortion" for the RSS, it appears, is that of setting apart history and mythology. "For us, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puaranas are great works of history. Even Ram Setu is often treated as mythological. But research has shown it is a human-made structure," senior functionary of BISSA, Hemanta Dhing Mazumdar, mentioned.
The "theory" of Aryan invasion, Mazumdar added, is probably the most visible distortion. "This theory of Aryan invasion is being taught right from the school days, and it has got entrenched in our minds without investigating whether this theory is right or wrong. Our task is to prove it wrong," he further mentioned.
At the regional point, the saffron brigade has already embarked on its project to "create awareness" in regards to the "glorious history" of the northeast. "Our organization is doing a lot of work on the history of the northeast and eminent historical figures from the region. Our effort is to create a sense of national consciousness. The history written by others does not have this perspective," Surinder Hans, nationwide secretary of BISSA's national-level unit, Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, mentioned.
"I don't want to take any names," Chakraborty mentioned, "but it is true that a certain section of historians and academics has always tried to project our history in a manner that ignores our glorious past. They want to dominate history with their way of thinking. This is unacceptable. This should be changed."
Later, on the sidelines of the convention, Chakraborty mentioned Indian history is being "distorted" via giving too much area to "invaders" who ruled "Bharat", rather than the "indigenous" rulers in India's "glorious past". "The present historiography speaks more about India's subjugation," he added.
"It is time to rewrite India's history. We had such a glorious past. Unfortunately, it never gets the attention it deserves. It is the same case with Assam. Our ancient state, known as Pragjyotishpur, earned repute for several achievements in astrology and other fields. We had great rulers like Kumar Bhaskar Barman. Our historiography should bring out the achievements and glory of our state so that the new generation can draw inspiration from it," Gauri Shankar Chakraborty, joint organizing secretary for the northeast of RSS, mentioned on the 9th triennial convention of RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti, Assam (BISSA) on Sunday.
The concept of "distortion" for the RSS, it appears, is that of setting apart history and mythology. "For us, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puaranas are great works of history. Even Ram Setu is often treated as mythological. But research has shown it is a human-made structure," senior functionary of BISSA, Hemanta Dhing Mazumdar, mentioned.
The "theory" of Aryan invasion, Mazumdar added, is probably the most visible distortion. "This theory of Aryan invasion is being taught right from the school days, and it has got entrenched in our minds without investigating whether this theory is right or wrong. Our task is to prove it wrong," he further mentioned.
At the regional point, the saffron brigade has already embarked on its project to "create awareness" in regards to the "glorious history" of the northeast. "Our organization is doing a lot of work on the history of the northeast and eminent historical figures from the region. Our effort is to create a sense of national consciousness. The history written by others does not have this perspective," Surinder Hans, nationwide secretary of BISSA's national-level unit, Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, mentioned.
"I don't want to take any names," Chakraborty mentioned, "but it is true that a certain section of historians and academics has always tried to project our history in a manner that ignores our glorious past. They want to dominate history with their way of thinking. This is unacceptable. This should be changed."
Later, on the sidelines of the convention, Chakraborty mentioned Indian history is being "distorted" via giving too much area to "invaders" who ruled "Bharat", rather than the "indigenous" rulers in India's "glorious past". "The present historiography speaks more about India's subjugation," he added.
RSS-affiliate body seeks to 'rewrite' history of northeast
![RSS-affiliate body seeks to 'rewrite' history of northeast]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
November 27, 2017
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