KashifAsrar
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It was an interesting peice of article in ToI dated 24th June 2007.
Kashif
Atul Sethi | TNN
When UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil mentioned that the purdah had been in existence since Mughal times, she was being historically inaccurate, but voicing a commonly held misconception.
In fact, according to N R Farooqi, professor of History at Allahabad University, the Mughals probably borrowed purdah from the Rajputs. Historian Harbans Mukhia, in his book, The Mughals of India, cites the Baburnama and the Humayunnama to state that the Mughals were never in purdah. Farooqi says Mughal women were introduced to the purdah only after Akbar married a Rajput princess, who may have brought this custom along with her.
Many other popular perceptions are often mistaken for historical fact, such as Islam being brought to India by Muslim invaders. Most historians concur that Indias introduction to Islam was, in fact, through Arab traders.
Its not surprising that tales abound in India, since our culture has a tradition of storytelling. Myths, however, become intertwined with history, often overshadowing it. Thats why the fictional Salim-Anarkali romance is more popular than the real Jahangir-Noorjahan love story. Even stories which have an element of truth can be blown out of proportion. Like Asoka slaying his 100 brothers, which historians believe was exaggerated, though there probably was a struggle for the throne.
Trade, not invasion brought Islam to India
Irish dramatist Denis Johnston once said that myths are not created, they create themselves and then find expression in that which serves their purpose. Perhaps its time we helped dispel some popular misconceptions.
Islam was brought to India by Muslim invaders:
Most historians now agree that Indias introduction to Islam was through Arab traders and not Muslim invaders, as is generally believed. The Arabs had been coming to the Malabar coast in southern India as traders for a long time, well before Islam had been introduced in Arabia.
Writes H G Rawlinson, in his book, Ancient and Medieval History of India, The first Arab Muslims began settling in the towns on the Indian coast in the last part of the 7th century. They married Indian women and were treated with respect and allowed to propagate their faith. According to B P Sahu, head of the department of history of Delhi University, Arab Muslims began occupying positions of prominence in the areas where they had settled by the 8th and 9th centuries.
In fact, Asoka, says Smith, took good care of his brothers long after his succession, evidence of which is found in his rock edicts. However, according to Nayanjot Lahiri, professor in the department of history at Delhi University, this is a legend which cant be summarily dismissed and it probably has a grain of truth.
Although the reference to 100 brothers seems purely metaphorical, there are references in one Indian and two Sri Lankan literary texts that there was a protracted struggle between Asoka and his brothers for the throne. Since Asokas formal consecration was also delayed for some four years after the death of his father Bindusara, it indicates that his ascension to the throne was contested, says Lahiri. How many brothers were slain, or whether any were slain at all, is however a question that is still debatable.
Buddhist monks were vegetarians:
Most people associate Buddhism with non-violence and imagine that Buddhist monks and nuns never consumed animal food. However, according to Nayanjot Lahiri, the idea that meat and its products were not allowed to Buddhist monks is a myth. For instance, in case of sickness, raw flesh and blood could be used by the monks.
Fish and meat were mentioned among the five superior and delicate foods that a monk who was unwell was allowed to eat. Irfan Habib, former professor of history at Aligarh Muslim University, agreed that monks could eat meat. The only restriction, however, was that they could not eat the meat of animals especially slaughtered for them.
Buddhist sutras also mention that one may, with a clear conscience, receive, cook and eat meat either freely offered by someone else, or that which came from an animal which had died of natural causes, but not of that which had been especially slaughtered for eating. Even the archaeology of Buddhism provides some evidence on this, says Lahiri, as animal bones have been recorded from two famous Buddhist sites in Sri Lankathe Abhayagiri vihara at Anuradhapura and the Sigiriya viharawhich indicate that Buddhist monks were not vegetarian.
The love story of Salim and Anarkali:
A lowly courtesan falls in love with the crown prince of the Mughal empire who, in turn, is ready to defy his fathers will for the sake of his beloved. This is the story of Salim and Anarkali, made popular by films like Mughal-e-Azam. The tragedy, however, is that the epic romance was probably just a work of fiction.
For, Anarkali never existed. Or, even if she did, she was probably a slave girl who had no proven connection with either Salim or his father, the Emperor Akbar. According to Irfan Habib, the legend of Anarkali came into being some four years after Jahangirs death, when she was mentioned briefly in some texts of the 1630s. After that, theres no mention of her anywhere and there is no reference to her in Jahangirs autobiography either.
Yet, Anarkalis name remains closely linked with Salim and she is probably more popular than even his wife, the historical Noorjahan, was. What probably fanned this popular imagination, says N R Farooqi, professor at Allahabad University, was circumstantial evidence like a tomb, believed to be that of Anarkalis, situated in Lahore which was built by Jahangir. Or tales spread by European travellers and later picked up by popular culture, thus cementing the legend of Salim and Anarkali in peoples imagination.
Jodha Bai was the name of Akbars Rajput wife:
Akbars first Rajput wife, it is believed, was the eldest daughter of Bhar Mal, the Raja of Amber. Popular perception has it that her name was Jodha Bai and that she was Jahangirs mother. History, however, suggests otherwise.
According to Irfan Habib,there is no mention of Akbars Rajput wife anywhere in any Mughal text. Abul Fazal, in his Akbarnama, does not mention her name as Akbars wife. Nor does Jahangir, in his autobiography, Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, mention Jodha Bai as his mother. This is because, according to N R Farooqi, Jodha Bai was not the name of Akbars Rajput queen. It was, in fact, the name of Jahangirs Rajput wife, whose real name was Jagat Gosain. Since she belonged to the royal family of Jodhpur,she was also referred to as Jodha Bai.
According to Farooqi, she was a very important woman in the royal household. Besides being married to the emperor, she was also the mother of Khurram, who later became Emperor Shah Jahan.The myth of Jodha Bai being Akbars Rajput wife, says Irfan Habib, probably gained credence during the 19th century when guides at Fatehpur Sikri gave her the mantle of Akbars wife, a perception which is prevalent even today.
Kashif
Great myths of Indian history
Atul Sethi | TNN
When UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil mentioned that the purdah had been in existence since Mughal times, she was being historically inaccurate, but voicing a commonly held misconception.
In fact, according to N R Farooqi, professor of History at Allahabad University, the Mughals probably borrowed purdah from the Rajputs. Historian Harbans Mukhia, in his book, The Mughals of India, cites the Baburnama and the Humayunnama to state that the Mughals were never in purdah. Farooqi says Mughal women were introduced to the purdah only after Akbar married a Rajput princess, who may have brought this custom along with her.
Many other popular perceptions are often mistaken for historical fact, such as Islam being brought to India by Muslim invaders. Most historians concur that Indias introduction to Islam was, in fact, through Arab traders.
Its not surprising that tales abound in India, since our culture has a tradition of storytelling. Myths, however, become intertwined with history, often overshadowing it. Thats why the fictional Salim-Anarkali romance is more popular than the real Jahangir-Noorjahan love story. Even stories which have an element of truth can be blown out of proportion. Like Asoka slaying his 100 brothers, which historians believe was exaggerated, though there probably was a struggle for the throne.
Trade, not invasion brought Islam to India
Irish dramatist Denis Johnston once said that myths are not created, they create themselves and then find expression in that which serves their purpose. Perhaps its time we helped dispel some popular misconceptions.
Islam was brought to India by Muslim invaders:
Most historians now agree that Indias introduction to Islam was through Arab traders and not Muslim invaders, as is generally believed. The Arabs had been coming to the Malabar coast in southern India as traders for a long time, well before Islam had been introduced in Arabia.
Writes H G Rawlinson, in his book, Ancient and Medieval History of India, The first Arab Muslims began settling in the towns on the Indian coast in the last part of the 7th century. They married Indian women and were treated with respect and allowed to propagate their faith. According to B P Sahu, head of the department of history of Delhi University, Arab Muslims began occupying positions of prominence in the areas where they had settled by the 8th and 9th centuries.
Asoka killed his 100 brothers to claim the throne: In his book, The Oxford History of India, Vincent Smith writes that the story told by the Buddhist monks of Ceylon that Asoka slaughtered 98 or 99 of his brothers in order to clear his way to the throne is absurd and obviously concocted to highlight Asokas alleged abnormal wickedness prior to his conversion to Buddhism.
In fact, Asoka, says Smith, took good care of his brothers long after his succession, evidence of which is found in his rock edicts. However, according to Nayanjot Lahiri, professor in the department of history at Delhi University, this is a legend which cant be summarily dismissed and it probably has a grain of truth.
Although the reference to 100 brothers seems purely metaphorical, there are references in one Indian and two Sri Lankan literary texts that there was a protracted struggle between Asoka and his brothers for the throne. Since Asokas formal consecration was also delayed for some four years after the death of his father Bindusara, it indicates that his ascension to the throne was contested, says Lahiri. How many brothers were slain, or whether any were slain at all, is however a question that is still debatable.
Buddhist monks were vegetarians:
Most people associate Buddhism with non-violence and imagine that Buddhist monks and nuns never consumed animal food. However, according to Nayanjot Lahiri, the idea that meat and its products were not allowed to Buddhist monks is a myth. For instance, in case of sickness, raw flesh and blood could be used by the monks.
Fish and meat were mentioned among the five superior and delicate foods that a monk who was unwell was allowed to eat. Irfan Habib, former professor of history at Aligarh Muslim University, agreed that monks could eat meat. The only restriction, however, was that they could not eat the meat of animals especially slaughtered for them.
Buddhist sutras also mention that one may, with a clear conscience, receive, cook and eat meat either freely offered by someone else, or that which came from an animal which had died of natural causes, but not of that which had been especially slaughtered for eating. Even the archaeology of Buddhism provides some evidence on this, says Lahiri, as animal bones have been recorded from two famous Buddhist sites in Sri Lankathe Abhayagiri vihara at Anuradhapura and the Sigiriya viharawhich indicate that Buddhist monks were not vegetarian.
The love story of Salim and Anarkali:
A lowly courtesan falls in love with the crown prince of the Mughal empire who, in turn, is ready to defy his fathers will for the sake of his beloved. This is the story of Salim and Anarkali, made popular by films like Mughal-e-Azam. The tragedy, however, is that the epic romance was probably just a work of fiction.
For, Anarkali never existed. Or, even if she did, she was probably a slave girl who had no proven connection with either Salim or his father, the Emperor Akbar. According to Irfan Habib, the legend of Anarkali came into being some four years after Jahangirs death, when she was mentioned briefly in some texts of the 1630s. After that, theres no mention of her anywhere and there is no reference to her in Jahangirs autobiography either.
Yet, Anarkalis name remains closely linked with Salim and she is probably more popular than even his wife, the historical Noorjahan, was. What probably fanned this popular imagination, says N R Farooqi, professor at Allahabad University, was circumstantial evidence like a tomb, believed to be that of Anarkalis, situated in Lahore which was built by Jahangir. Or tales spread by European travellers and later picked up by popular culture, thus cementing the legend of Salim and Anarkali in peoples imagination.
Jodha Bai was the name of Akbars Rajput wife:
Akbars first Rajput wife, it is believed, was the eldest daughter of Bhar Mal, the Raja of Amber. Popular perception has it that her name was Jodha Bai and that she was Jahangirs mother. History, however, suggests otherwise.
According to Irfan Habib,there is no mention of Akbars Rajput wife anywhere in any Mughal text. Abul Fazal, in his Akbarnama, does not mention her name as Akbars wife. Nor does Jahangir, in his autobiography, Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, mention Jodha Bai as his mother. This is because, according to N R Farooqi, Jodha Bai was not the name of Akbars Rajput queen. It was, in fact, the name of Jahangirs Rajput wife, whose real name was Jagat Gosain. Since she belonged to the royal family of Jodhpur,she was also referred to as Jodha Bai.
According to Farooqi, she was a very important woman in the royal household. Besides being married to the emperor, she was also the mother of Khurram, who later became Emperor Shah Jahan.The myth of Jodha Bai being Akbars Rajput wife, says Irfan Habib, probably gained credence during the 19th century when guides at Fatehpur Sikri gave her the mantle of Akbars wife, a perception which is prevalent even today.
