Part 2 – Victory of Bhakthi, Dharma and Faith of a Civilization
Click To read Part 1- Timeline of Shri Ram’s Homecoming
When I read the following post on X (formerly Twitter) of Adil Nargolwala , it instantly kindled an overwhelming sense of happiness and fulfillment in me for what India as a Civilization has achieved on the 22nd of Jan 2024.
The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla at Ayodhya Ram Mandir transcended mere religious significance. It symbolized a profound civilizational awakening, marking the ascent of a nation breaking free from her colonial chains. This event resonates globally as a testament to the resurgence of an ancient culture reclaiming its heritage and asserting its identity on the world stage.
Ayodhya – Glimpse into the History
कोसलो नाम मुदितः स्फीतो जनपदो महान् |
निविष्ट सरयू तीरे प्रभूत धन धान्यवान् – Kosala kingdom as described in Valmiki Ramayana.
To understand the significance of the Ram Janma Bhoomi movement, we have to look at the historical importance of Ayodhya and how various communities, tribes and kings of our nation have incessantly fought to preserve it. The ancient origins of Ayodhya date back to the era of the Puranas. Ayodhya was established by Manu during the Satya Yuga and later entrusted to Ishvaku. The Puranas are not mere tales but also serve as repositories of our historical past. They document the lineage of kings from Manu to Dasharatha and beyond. Subsequently, the control of Kosala shifted to various rulers including the Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas, Dattas, Kushans, and eventually the Guptas. Under Gupta rule, Ayodhya experienced a resurgence as a hub of Vedic scholarship.
The initial Islamic incursion occurred during the reign of the Pratiharas between 1000 CE and 1026 CE, led by Mahmud Ghaznavi. The consequences of subsequent Islamic invasions were devastating. Over the centuries, relentless assaults from Islamic Colonizers led to the complete obliteration of Banaras, once a thriving city as mentioned in Puranic texts. Numerous temples of various dieties such as Krittivasa, Mahadeva, Madhameshwara, Vishveshwara, Bindu Madhava, and Kaal Bhairava were demolished, often replaced by mosques, and access to these sites was restricted for Hindus. The Kashi-Vishwanatha temple suffered destruction three times during this tumultuous period.
According to accounts by British writers in the 19th century, as many as 360 temples in Ayodhya were razed by Islamic rulers. Despite enduring waves of Islamic invasions, Hindu kings and kingdoms resiliently defended their sacred spaces. Efforts to rebuild temples persisted, evident from archaeological findings of structures reconstructed after destruction by Islamic forces. Notably, the Gahadavalas emerged as stalwart defenders of Hinduism. This dynasty, which erected the Ram Temple in Ayodhya later destroyed by Babur, exemplified efforts to restore Hindu sanctuaries. Narayana Bhatta undertook the reconstruction of the Kashi Vishwanatha temple before its subsequent demolition by Aurangzeb. The Marathas also made significant contributions to temple reconstruction in Kashi and Ayodhya, with Balaji Baji Rao notably endeavoring to reclaim Banaras, Ayodhya, and Prayag from Shuja-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Awadh. Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur similarly exerted influence within the Mughal realm to revive Hindu heritage, alongside the Marathas.
A Journey of faith, patience and civilizational victory
In his monumental 12-volume work, “A Study of History,” historian Arnold J. Toynbee meticulously examines 21 world civilizations. He concludes that today’s world is characterized by four major civilizations, three of which are extensions or adaptations of earlier ones. Toynbee suggests that Christianity and Islam have evolved from the Minoan civilization, while the Far East, including Chinese and Japanese civilizations, originated from the Shang civilization. Notably, among these four, the Indic or Hindu civilization stands out as the only enduring one. Ayodhya emerges as a symbol of Hindu resilience against formidable odds. In Ayodhya, Hindus confronted not only Islamic iconoclasm and fervent usurpation but also a brand of corrupt, venal, and anti-Hindu secularism. Centuries of Islamic dominance subjected Hindus to profound humiliation, while European colonialism aimed to instill a deep sense of shame in Hindu existence. Post-Independence politics and Marxist intellectuals perpetuated this abuse by not only denying Hindus their historical victimhood but also glorifying anti-Hindu agendas as secular righteousness. After enduring centuries of physical and psychological oppression, compounded by self-loathing disguised as secularism, Hindus retreated into a protective shell. The Indian establishment, focusing solely on appeasing minority sentiments regarding the Kashmir issue, even in the aftermath of Hindus being ethnically cleansed from the Kashmir Valley, effectively became complicit in Hindu persecution.
Throughout history, instances of restitution from Islamic imperialism have been rare. The churches in Cordoba, Toledo, and Gibraltar experienced restoration only during the Spanish Reconquista. Additionally, a handful of mosques in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Greece, constructed after demolishing churches, were restored following the decline of the Ottoman Empire. However, outside of Europe, Ayodhya stands as a significant success story against Islamic iconoclasm.
As the Ram temple finally materializes in Ayodhya after a struggle spanning five centuries, we witness the potential healing of what author V.S. Naipaul described as a wounded civilization. The Hindu blood, sweat, and sacrifices made for the construction of the Ram temple have transformed the civilization from mere existence to a vibrant living entity. Arnold Toynbee offered a fascinating perspective on history, suggesting that it was not merely a series of events but rather “God revealing Himself” through them. The moment when Ramlalla, arrived to receive devotees at His new abode signifies a literal realization of Toynbee’s prophecy.
Concluding with the words of my all time favourite Author , Advocate Shri J Sai Deepak, that hit the perfect chord with how we felt, as the blindfolds came of Ram Lalla’s face, calmly looking at us with that magical smile of his – “The Dharmic Civilization Is very much alive and kicking. I have said this before- In a Civilizational struggle, knowledge and practice of faith is equally important. Conviction is the key and that comes through practice of faith, not through dry intellectualization.”
राजा रामचंद्र जी की जय. Pavanasuta Hanuman ki Jai.
References:
A Study of History- Arnold J Toynbee –
India – A Wounded Civilization – V.S Naipual
The Battle for Rama – Meenakshi Jain
The Babur Nama- Introduction by William Drlymple
Recommendations for history buffs, who would like to read more about decolonization and Indic-consciousness-
India that is Bharat- Coloniality Civilisation Constitution – J Sai Deepak
Being Different : An Different Challenge To Western Universalism
Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples: Episodes from Indian History – Meenakshi Jain
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