History of India Questions
1) Describe an aspect of ancient Indian history that is likely to have continuing relevance in contemporary India. How might your time in India benefit from having some awareness of this period of Indian history?
In the beginning of The History of India, the author discusses the caste system, which has changed over the years, but seems to have started extremely early in India’s history. Each caste eats with each other, marries one another, and follows certain occupations, leading to very obvious divisions. This is even exaggerated because its assumed that the lower castes of people pollute the higher ones. It will be interesting to see how this ancient tradition operates in modern-day India. The reasons for dividing peoples have changed over the years, from ethnicity/regionality to religion. I’m curious to see how affected contemporary India is by its history of a caste system. It’s beneficial to be aware of the barriers that may exist between castes in India and how the systems came to be, perhaps to avoid offending others.
2) Describe an aspect of Mughal-era India that is likely to have continuing relevance in contemporary India. How might your time in India benefit from having some awareness of this period of Indian history?
In 1556 the new emperor of the Mughal-era India, Akbar, shifted religion in India greatly. He challenged Islam, which was not previously called into question whatsoever. Despite clashing with upper-crust Muslim people, he canceled land grants that were given to Islamic holy men and also removed taxes and restrictions on non-Muslims. This clearly has a huge impact on the current state of religion in India, perhaps if it weren’t for Akbar, India would be a Muslim country rather than a Hindu one. Around a similar time Sikhism was founded by Nanak, influenced by both Hindus and Muslims, along with other people and teachings. Religion seems much more central to culture and everyday life in India than in the United States, so I would assume that having a clear understanding of both the history and present state of religion would be key.
3) Describe an aspect of British-era India that is likely to have continuing relevance in contemporary India. How might your time in India benefit from having some awareness of this period of Indian history?
It may seem obvious, but the general control that the British had over beginning in the 1700s could have an effect on our experience in modern day India. The British dominated the trading ports which gave them a huge amount of power and control over the average Indian person. I’m curious to know if there is still a lingering dynamic that is less than stellar between Western Europeans/Americans and Indians. Bengal and Bihar were both entirely ruled by British. I read the book A Passage to India in Exploration and Discovery and found the dynamics of the early 1900s fascinating. There was an assumption that Indian men were predators for Indian women, and this stereotype still seems present. At this time we also see destruction of certain communities and culture, which I’m sure has effected current language and customs. For example, Lord Cornwallis—governor/general in the late 1700s—had prejudiced views of Indians, assuming they were dishonest and banned them from positions in the British East India Trading Company’s administration. This ended business, social and romantic ties between Indians and British.
4) Describe an aspect of the struggle for national independence that is likely to have continuing relevance in contemporary India. How might your time in India benefit from having some awareness of this period of Indian history?
It seems safe to assume that Mahatma Gandhi has had a huge impact on modern India, so it would be key to have a clear awareness of how his presence has affected India as a whole. At first, he fought against various restrictions on Indians’ movements and the requirement of having an identity card at all times with nonviolence and dealt with harassment and arrest. He was in favor of equal rights for all religions, sexes, races and castes, and was living a life of swaraj, or self-control. He was recognized for his campaigns to unite Indians, and ended up in contact with politicians. Gandhi helped in the changing of certain discriminatory laws against the Untouchable caste, though many people ignored his ideas of restructuring society. Gandhi has inspired many all throughout the world and perhaps particularly in India, and I’m curious to see if he has a clear legacy throughout the country. Secondly, there was the creation of the Muslim League during the struggle for national independence. Indian Muslims were becoming a huge population/community, by 1945 it was a mass party. I wonder if there is a rift or divide between Muslims and Hindus in India today, or some sense of separation?
5) Describe an aspect of the Nehru-Gandhi dynastic period that is likely to have continuing relevance in contemporary India. How might your time in India benefit from having some awareness of this period of Indian history?
During the Nehru-Gandhi dynastic period we see issues with Pakistan arising. The president of Pakistan realized that India planned to stake its claim on the portion of Kashmir it had at the time forever, which led to the stealing of an Islamic relic from a mosque in the capital of Kashmir. Angry Kashmiri Muslims protested the theft with clear anti-indian overtones, which the president of Pakistan took as a sign of Kashmiri support for being annexed to Pakistan. He turned to the military but at first India was not willing to fight. Pakistani military entered indian kashmir to commit arson and other violent acts, so the Indian army attacked within Pakistan, leading to the Indo-Paksitani war. This seems like it would have a huge affect on our time in India, given how recent the war occurred and the continued tension that surrounds the possession of Kashmir. From what I have heard, it can be unsafe in India in the areas bordering Pakistan, so it seems important to learn about why that is.
There was also discussion of two hated policies implemented by Indira Gandhi—slum clearance in Delhi, (homes bulldozed and forced to live far from their places of work) along with forced sterilization to control population growth. It seems as though poverty and overpopulation are two serious problems in India still, so I’m fascinated to learn what efforts have been enforced in the past.