MUMBAI: Raj Thackeray is now in the midst of a birthday cake controversy that has given a new twist to the Marathi-speaking versus north Indians
issue in the state.
Raj allegedly cut a cake bearing the word ‘Bhaiya’ in Hindi on his birthday last June 14 in Mumbai, a video clip of which was leaked out on Friday.
‘Bhaiya” meaning elder brother, is the term by which people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are generally referred to in the city.
The video clip, shot by an unknown person from a mobile phone has both mystified and embarrassed the party as it was repeatedly flashed across television channels on Friday afternoon.
Top office-bearers of his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) fumbled for a convincing explanation at the sudden development, which has caught the party by surprise.
“We have a lot of north Indian activists in the MNS and it must have been brought by one such activist, but we cannot recollect who,” party vice-president Vageesh Saraswat said on Friday afternoon.
He claimed that the word ‘Bhaiya’ on the cake probably meant that Raj Thackeray was like the elder brother of the person who presented it, and “it should not be construed that we are against north Indians.”
“Moreover, something is always inscribed on any cake as per the occasion. This time, it was ‘Bhaiya’ since a north Indian party worker brought the cake. It was not intended to spread hatred against anybody,” Saraswat emphasised.
He reiterated that the party’s agitation was concerning opportunities for Marathi-speaking people and not against north Indians settled in the state.
Raj cut the colourfully decorated birthday cake at a small party attended by family and friends in his Shivaji Park home. The video clip shows him making two diagonal slashes across the cake, instead of gently cutting it in the traditional fashion.
Saraswat claims that “the video may have been tampered to convey a certain impression” and questioned the motives behind leaking it exactly five months after the birthday party.
It may be recalled that last February and then in October, the MNS had launched violent agitations against north Indians living or working in Mumbai. The episode finally culminated in Raj's arrest, with him spending a night in police lock-up and being subsequently released on bail.
The MMS clip was released to the press by Samajwadi Party MLA from Madhya Pradesh Kishore Samrite.
The Samajwadi MLA compared Raj Thackeray's decision to use a sword instead of a knife to cut the cake, to "an attempt to wipe off the north Indians".
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A Study in Contrast
This article, a study in contrast has been sent by Merrill Smith.
Of course, the article is dated, having been written more than a year ago.
With the share market crash, there has been a marked decrease in the wealth of the persons mentioned, but that does not take away the point the writer is trying to make out.
It has been written by a Pakistani journalist..........
Dr Farrukh Saleem
12/9/2007
The two Ambani brothers can buy 100 percent of every company listed on the
Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and would still be left with $30 billion to spare.
The four richest Indians can buy up all goods and services
produced over a year by 169 million Pakistanis and still
be left with $60 billion to spare. The four richest Indians
are now richer than the forty richest Chinese.
In November, Bombay Stock Exchange's benchmark Sensex
flirted with 20,000 points. As a consequence, Mukesh Ambani's
Reliance Industries became a $100 billion company (the entire
KSE is capitalized at $65 billion). Mukesh owns 48
percent of Reliance.
In November, comes Neeta's birthday.
Neeta turned f orty-four three weeks ago.
Look what she got from her husband as her birthday present:
A sixty-million dollar jet with a custom fitted master bedroom,
bathroom with mood lighting, a sky bar, entertainment cabins,
satellite television, wireless communication and
a separate cabin with game consoles.
Neeta is Mukesh Ambani's wife, and Mukesh
is not India's richest but the second richest.
Mukesh is now building his new home,
Residence Antillia (after a mythical,
phantom island somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean).
At a cost of $1 billion this would be the most expensive
home on the face of the planet.
At 173 meters tall Mukesh's new family residence,
for a family of six, will be the equivalent of a
60-storeyed building.
The first six floors are reserved for parking.
The seventh floor is for car servicing and maintenance.
The eighth floor houses a mini-theatre.
Then there's a health club, a gym and a swimming pool.
Two floors are reserved for Ambani family's guests.
Four floors above the guest floors are
family floors all with a superb view of the Arabian Sea.
On top of everything are three helipads.
A staff of 600 is expected to care for the family and their
family home.
In 2004, India became the 3rd most attractive foreign direct
investmentdestination.
Pakistan wasn't even in the top 25 countries.
In 2004, the United Nations, the representative body of 192
sovereign member states, had requested
the Election Commission of India to assist the UN in the
holding elections in Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah and
Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan.
Why the Election Commission of India and not the
Election Commission of Pakistan? After all,
Islamabad is closer to Kabul than is Delhi.
Imagine, 12 percent of all American scientists are of
Indian origin; 38 percent of doctors in America are Indian;
36 percent of NASA scientists are Indians; 34
percent of Microsoft employees are Indians;
and 28 percent of IBM employees are Indians.
For the record: Sabeer Bhatia created and founded Hotmail.
Sun Microsystems was founded by Vinod Khosla.
The Intel Pentium processor, that runs 90 percent of
all computers, was fathered by Vinod Dham.
Rajiv Gupta co-invented Hewlett Packard's E-speak project.
Four out of ten Silicon Valley start-ups are run by Indians.
Bollywood produces 800 movies per year and six Indian ladies
have won Miss Universe/Miss World titles over the past 10 years.
For the record: Azim Premji, the richest Muslim entrepreneur
on the face of the planet, was born in Bombay and now
lives in Bangalore.
India now has more than three dozen billionaires;
Pakistan has none (not a single dollar billionaire).
The other amazing aspect is the rapid pace at which
India is creating wealth.
In 2002, Dhirubhai Ambani, Mukesh and Anil Ambani's father,
left his two sons a fortune worth $2.8 billion.
In 2007, their combined wealth stood at $94 billion.
On 29 October 2007, as a result of the stock market
rally and the appreciation of the Indian rupee,
Mukesh became the richest person in the world,
with net worth climbing to US$63.2 billion
(Bill Gates, the richest American, stands at around $56 billion).
Indians and Pakistanis have the same Y-chromosome haplogroup.
We have the same genetic sequence and the same genetic marker
(namely: M124).
We have the sam e DNA molecule, the same DNA sequence.
Our culture, our traditions and our cuisine are all the same.
We watch the same movies and sing the same songs.
What is it that Indians have and we don't?
INDIANS ELECT THEIR LEADERS
Another difference he has not pointed our is India was
born of a non-violent movement while Pakistan was created by
shedding blood on religious basis.
Those who live by the sword die by the sword.
That is why most of their rulers have either been killed or
hanged or banished from their country.
LONG LIVE INDIA, INSPITE OF OUR CORRUPT POLITICIANS
Of course, the article is dated, having been written more than a year ago.
With the share market crash, there has been a marked decrease in the wealth of the persons mentioned, but that does not take away the point the writer is trying to make out.
It has been written by a Pakistani journalist..........
Dr Farrukh Saleem
12/9/2007
The two Ambani brothers can buy 100 percent of every company listed on the
Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and would still be left with $30 billion to spare.
The four richest Indians can buy up all goods and services
produced over a year by 169 million Pakistanis and still
be left with $60 billion to spare. The four richest Indians
are now richer than the forty richest Chinese.
In November, Bombay Stock Exchange's benchmark Sensex
flirted with 20,000 points. As a consequence, Mukesh Ambani's
Reliance Industries became a $100 billion company (the entire
KSE is capitalized at $65 billion). Mukesh owns 48
percent of Reliance.
In November, comes Neeta's birthday.
Neeta turned f orty-four three weeks ago.
Look what she got from her husband as her birthday present:
A sixty-million dollar jet with a custom fitted master bedroom,
bathroom with mood lighting, a sky bar, entertainment cabins,
satellite television, wireless communication and
a separate cabin with game consoles.
Neeta is Mukesh Ambani's wife, and Mukesh
is not India's richest but the second richest.
Mukesh is now building his new home,
Residence Antillia (after a mythical,
phantom island somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean).
At a cost of $1 billion this would be the most expensive
home on the face of the planet.
At 173 meters tall Mukesh's new family residence,
for a family of six, will be the equivalent of a
60-storeyed building.
The first six floors are reserved for parking.
The seventh floor is for car servicing and maintenance.
The eighth floor houses a mini-theatre.
Then there's a health club, a gym and a swimming pool.
Two floors are reserved for Ambani family's guests.
Four floors above the guest floors are
family floors all with a superb view of the Arabian Sea.
On top of everything are three helipads.
A staff of 600 is expected to care for the family and their
family home.
In 2004, India became the 3rd most attractive foreign direct
investmentdestination.
Pakistan wasn't even in the top 25 countries.
In 2004, the United Nations, the representative body of 192
sovereign member states, had requested
the Election Commission of India to assist the UN in the
holding elections in Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah and
Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan.
Why the Election Commission of India and not the
Election Commission of Pakistan? After all,
Islamabad is closer to Kabul than is Delhi.
Imagine, 12 percent of all American scientists are of
Indian origin; 38 percent of doctors in America are Indian;
36 percent of NASA scientists are Indians; 34
percent of Microsoft employees are Indians;
and 28 percent of IBM employees are Indians.
For the record: Sabeer Bhatia created and founded Hotmail.
Sun Microsystems was founded by Vinod Khosla.
The Intel Pentium processor, that runs 90 percent of
all computers, was fathered by Vinod Dham.
Rajiv Gupta co-invented Hewlett Packard's E-speak project.
Four out of ten Silicon Valley start-ups are run by Indians.
Bollywood produces 800 movies per year and six Indian ladies
have won Miss Universe/Miss World titles over the past 10 years.
For the record: Azim Premji, the richest Muslim entrepreneur
on the face of the planet, was born in Bombay and now
lives in Bangalore.
India now has more than three dozen billionaires;
Pakistan has none (not a single dollar billionaire).
The other amazing aspect is the rapid pace at which
India is creating wealth.
In 2002, Dhirubhai Ambani, Mukesh and Anil Ambani's father,
left his two sons a fortune worth $2.8 billion.
In 2007, their combined wealth stood at $94 billion.
On 29 October 2007, as a result of the stock market
rally and the appreciation of the Indian rupee,
Mukesh became the richest person in the world,
with net worth climbing to US$63.2 billion
(Bill Gates, the richest American, stands at around $56 billion).
Indians and Pakistanis have the same Y-chromosome haplogroup.
We have the same genetic sequence and the same genetic marker
(namely: M124).
We have the sam e DNA molecule, the same DNA sequence.
Our culture, our traditions and our cuisine are all the same.
We watch the same movies and sing the same songs.
What is it that Indians have and we don't?
INDIANS ELECT THEIR LEADERS
Another difference he has not pointed our is India was
born of a non-violent movement while Pakistan was created by
shedding blood on religious basis.
Those who live by the sword die by the sword.
That is why most of their rulers have either been killed or
hanged or banished from their country.
LONG LIVE INDIA, INSPITE OF OUR CORRUPT POLITICIANS
M F Hussein's Hypocrisy....Judge Yourself
Arun Shroff has sent this piece about Maqbool Fida Hussai.
He has also sent some of the so-called artistic works of Hussain.If you would like to see the pictures could visit http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/
A few days ago, there was an article in one of the papers in which Hussain was said to be pining to return to India.
I would suggest that he be allowed to pine for the rest of his life in some foreing land.
Artistic freedom does not mean you can hurt the sentiments of people.
Life is too short and there are many things which you can do with your life than to create animosity.
This is for all those who plead Hussein 'Not Guilty' in the name of Art & freedom of expression!
If a person dresses like a Sikh Guru, thousands of Sikhs gather and destroy their establishments , threaten to kill him, announce a bounty on his head - Sikhs are not criticized for being communal and intolerant,
If a Danish journalist depicts the Prophet of the Muslims , Muslims all over the world rise in anger, there is violence, a booty on the head of the Journalist - Muslims are not criticized for being communal and intolerant,
If MF Hussain draws paintings depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual positions (which relations are not borne out by ancient texts at all ) and Hindus merely protest , they are called communal, intolerant and taught lessons in secularism by one and all.
The problem apparently is not with Sikhs and Muslims, it is with Hindus , because we are not violent, we accept what ever is dished out to us , we do not have the guts to say that this is wrong , we seek acceptance from outsiders rather than from our conscience. We worship the same Gods and Goddesses but don't stand up for them when the time comes.
Well the Hindu, has now stopped turning the other cheek as shown below
HJS protest: UTI bank cancels Hussain's exhibition!
March 2, 2007
Pune: In Pune, on the Senapati Bapat Road, the UTI bank exhibited paintings of the controversial, Hindu hater artist M.F. Hussain. Yesterday Hindu protagonists protested against this through phone calls and e-mails to the bank. Several Hindus joined hands with the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti to vehemently protest against this and finally compelled the bank to close down the exhibition.
Today morning before the bank began its transactions the bank officials rolled all the paintings belonging to Domnic Corda of `Contemporay Indian Art’ and kept them outside the bank. The bank manager, Shri. Sachin Belvalkar stated that they had no ulterior motive behind exhibiting these paintings. The bank holds free art exhibitions off and on, as a pastime for clients. However this time Mr. Domnic Corda had not appraised them about the exhibits. He also said that had they known these were M.F. Hussain’s blasphemous paintings then they would never have exhibited them. He tendered a written apology on behalf of the bank to the HJS for this untoward incident
M.F Husain's life time achievement award canceled
The Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Rajasthan, India had arranged a ceremony to felicitate anti Hindu Indian painter M. F. Husain at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, on March 15,2008. 18 eminent Indian artists flew to Dubai to felicitate Husain. (Ref: News Report)
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had launched an intensive campaign along with website campaign against the awarding of award to Husain and given strong indications. The Marathi Dainik 'Sanatan Prabhat' gave good support to this campaign. The Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Rajasthan, canceled this life time achievement award to Husain on account of the protest and informed the Samiti through a fax sent by Mr. Amitava Banerjee, Executive Director of Bhoruka Charitable Trust.
He has also sent some of the so-called artistic works of Hussain.If you would like to see the pictures could visit http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/
A few days ago, there was an article in one of the papers in which Hussain was said to be pining to return to India.
I would suggest that he be allowed to pine for the rest of his life in some foreing land.
Artistic freedom does not mean you can hurt the sentiments of people.
Life is too short and there are many things which you can do with your life than to create animosity.
This is for all those who plead Hussein 'Not Guilty' in the name of Art & freedom of expression!
If a person dresses like a Sikh Guru, thousands of Sikhs gather and destroy their establishments , threaten to kill him, announce a bounty on his head - Sikhs are not criticized for being communal and intolerant,
If a Danish journalist depicts the Prophet of the Muslims , Muslims all over the world rise in anger, there is violence, a booty on the head of the Journalist - Muslims are not criticized for being communal and intolerant,
If MF Hussain draws paintings depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual positions (which relations are not borne out by ancient texts at all ) and Hindus merely protest , they are called communal, intolerant and taught lessons in secularism by one and all.
The problem apparently is not with Sikhs and Muslims, it is with Hindus , because we are not violent, we accept what ever is dished out to us , we do not have the guts to say that this is wrong , we seek acceptance from outsiders rather than from our conscience. We worship the same Gods and Goddesses but don't stand up for them when the time comes.
Well the Hindu, has now stopped turning the other cheek as shown below
HJS protest: UTI bank cancels Hussain's exhibition!
March 2, 2007
Pune: In Pune, on the Senapati Bapat Road, the UTI bank exhibited paintings of the controversial, Hindu hater artist M.F. Hussain. Yesterday Hindu protagonists protested against this through phone calls and e-mails to the bank. Several Hindus joined hands with the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti to vehemently protest against this and finally compelled the bank to close down the exhibition.
Today morning before the bank began its transactions the bank officials rolled all the paintings belonging to Domnic Corda of `Contemporay Indian Art’ and kept them outside the bank. The bank manager, Shri. Sachin Belvalkar stated that they had no ulterior motive behind exhibiting these paintings. The bank holds free art exhibitions off and on, as a pastime for clients. However this time Mr. Domnic Corda had not appraised them about the exhibits. He also said that had they known these were M.F. Hussain’s blasphemous paintings then they would never have exhibited them. He tendered a written apology on behalf of the bank to the HJS for this untoward incident
M.F Husain's life time achievement award canceled
The Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Rajasthan, India had arranged a ceremony to felicitate anti Hindu Indian painter M. F. Husain at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, on March 15,2008. 18 eminent Indian artists flew to Dubai to felicitate Husain. (Ref: News Report)
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had launched an intensive campaign along with website campaign against the awarding of award to Husain and given strong indications. The Marathi Dainik 'Sanatan Prabhat' gave good support to this campaign. The Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Rajasthan, canceled this life time achievement award to Husain on account of the protest and informed the Samiti through a fax sent by Mr. Amitava Banerjee, Executive Director of Bhoruka Charitable Trust.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Service Manager - Hotels / Bank
Hello friends in USA & Canada,
This is the first Job request under the Label "Situations Wanted"
This message is specifically for you.
A close relative of my friend who is in Canada is looking for a change there.
He has worked in both Hotels and Banks and so has attached CV's for both types of Jobs.
If any our boys in the western world would be able to help him. I would be obliged.
The CV's have been sent by mail
Radheshyam
This is the first Job request under the Label "Situations Wanted"
This message is specifically for you.
A close relative of my friend who is in Canada is looking for a change there.
He has worked in both Hotels and Banks and so has attached CV's for both types of Jobs.
If any our boys in the western world would be able to help him. I would be obliged.
The CV's have been sent by mail
Radheshyam
Eat out, BBQ
For obvious reasons I have never been to a BBQ, so I cannot say much about them.
Keith Hay
We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert .
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces,
and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the BBQ - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE BBQ.
More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer
while he flips the meat .
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE BBQ AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine..
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.
Keith Hay
We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert .
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces,
and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the BBQ - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE BBQ.
More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer
while he flips the meat .
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE BBQ AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine..
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.
Etiquette - BBQ
For obvious reasons I have never been to a BBQ, so I cannot say much about them.
Keith Hayward, being more experienced has offered these tips on proper etiquette.
We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert .
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces,
and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the BBQ - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE BBQ.
More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer
while he flips the meat .
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE BBQ AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine..
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.
Keith Hayward, being more experienced has offered these tips on proper etiquette.
We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert .
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces,
and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the BBQ - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE BBQ.
More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer
while he flips the meat .
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE BBQ AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine..
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Man responsible for Moslem Conquest in India
Charles Martel was one man who in history saved Europe from Islam. European nations, England not excluded, perhaps would have been Muslim countries today but for this single man Charles Martel. Christianity could have vanished from Europe from the 8th Century AD but for him! Fascinating, is it not?
How many of us know about it? Thanks to bland history writing, such facts of "macrohistorical" significance stay hidden from the common man. I should be expecting Europe to be running amok with the statues of Charles Martel, in every town and village, for having saved Christianity from Islam in Europe! Oddly, most Europeans themselves are not aware of Charles Martel and his critical deeds.
In contrast, one man in India is eminently responsible for the surrender of India to Islam, and to the beginning of Islamic rule which lasted nearly 800 years, and that is Prithviraj Chauhan.
We must study these two contrasting men.
CHARLES MARTEL:Born about 688; died at Quierzy on the Oise, 21 October, 741.
Before talking about Martel, we must talk about Islam, and quickly trace its beginnings and history. We all know something about the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammad who died in 632 AD. His followers, the illiterate Arabic tribal hordes, made Islamic conquests, by the sheer power of the sword, of vast lands inhabited by men who belonged to very rich civilizations. Certainly the sword was mightier than the pen.
In less than a Century after the passing away of Prophet Mohammad, the Arab Islamic tribes, with the help of the sword, conquered what constitute parts of the present-day Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and crossing the Gibraltar, took over nearly the whole of the Iberian peninsula, now consisting of Spain and Portugal. Thus Spain came under Islam, and the Islamic rule lasted nearly 700 years there, until the Reconquista (Restoration of Christianity) was complete in 1492 with the fall of Granada from Muslim rule.
Charles Martel's fame consists in stopping the Islamic hordes from running into France and into the whole of Europe by his famous victory in 732 AD, exactly 100 years after the Prophet's demise, at "the battle of Tours" ( also called "the battle of Poitiers", since the fighting really took place in between Tours and Poitiers).
It is interesting to read Charles Martel's life history. But a very brief sketch will do here. He was born around 688 AD in the then Frankish Realms, son of Pippin the Middle (lovely sounding, right?) and his concubine Alpaida (you can't get closer to Al-qaida!). The boy Carolus (Charles) became a great soldier and a General in due course of time. He adopted a unique military strategy, unknown in those days. His strategy had three elements. One, attack where the enemies don't expect you. Two, attack when the enemies do not expect you. Thirdly, pretend retreat (an Oriental tactic) and then make a surprise attack!
Leading the Frankish army, General Charles Martel hammered the Islamic forces lead by Abdul Rahman, the Emir of Cordoba (Incidentally, I have had the good fortune of visiting the lovely town of Cordoba in Spain.) Thus, the violent Islamic forces were stopped from crossing the Pyrenees mountain ranges. France and the rest of Western Europe were thus saved from Islam.
Charles got the cognomen Martel which means "hammer" due to the hammering he meted out to the Islamic forces. Charles Martel established the Carolingian dynasty, and his famous grandson Charlemagne (meaning Charles the Great) became the Emperor of Western Europe.
In my view, history text books do not do enough justice to the name of Charles Martel. His grandson Charlemagne consumes much more historical writing than him, most unfortunately.
PRITHVIRAJ CHAUHAN:1168-1192
Closer to home, we are very familiar with this Rajput hero, the second-last Hindu King (the last was Hemu, his son) to rule from Delhi.
Prithviraj (also known as Rai Pithora, hence Pithoragarh) was a powerful ruler from Delhi. His reign has been chronicled by his court poet Chand Bardoi. As per the latter's account, Prithviraj was infatuated with Samyukta, the beautiful daughter of the rival king Raja Jaichand of Kannauj, and abducted her on horse-back (in cinematic fashion) further raising the utter enmity of Raja Jaichand. Samyukta was also party to it as she fancied Prithviraj. The intricacies of this love-lore should be read by each of us as they are so fascinating.
The Afghan ruler of Ghazni, known as Mohammad Ghori (who succeeded "Mahmud Ghazni", the Gujerat invader and sacker of Somnath) invaded Punjab and conquered his way up to very close to Delhi. However, his forces were defeated by the forces of Prithviraj Chauhan in the first battle of Tarain in 1191 AD. Ghori was badly wounded and his army was thrashed. It is said that Raja Jaichand gave military support to the Chauhan king, and the combined forces were too strong for the Muslim enemy.
It is stated that Mohammad Ghori was brought in captivity to Delhi. King Chauhan's advisors suggested that he be beheaded. But in the magnanimous Rajput tradition, Prithviraj allowed him to go away scot-free. The very next year, in 1192 AD, Ghori came back with an attack. This time Raja Jaichand refused to support Chauhan with his forces. (Hence, the clubbing of Jaichand and Mir Jaffar as our national traitors!).
Chauan lost to Ghori in the second battle of Tarain in 1192 AD. Delhi came under Islam. (It is stated that Chauhan was taken to Ghazni, his eyes were gouged out, and he was eventually buried there).
I would think that the naivety of Chauhan caused the downfall of Delhi which went under Islamic rule for nearly eight Centuries. His letting off of Ghori scot-free was a totally thoughtless action. If only Chauhan had beheaded Ghori or at least kept him incarcerated, India's history could perhaps have been different. I will not accuse Raja Jaichand for India's Islamic conquest. Not in any case as much as I would accuse Chauhan.
One man saved Europe from Islam. One man lost India to Islam.
(PS: I do not want to be judgmental here about religions. It is not that Islamic rule did no good to India or that there were no Christian atrocities in Europe. But today, Islam has become a hot topic in the world due to terrorism of the worst kind.)
A popular serial is running on our T V Channels based on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan. I know people admire Prithviraj's heroics and his elopement with Sanyogita has become folklore.
He was so infatuated by Sanyogita that he forgot his duties as a king which made him a prey to the scheming Jaichand and Md Ghori who comquered Prithiviraj's army and started ruling Delhi.
So Helen of Troy was not the only woman who destroyed a nation.
How many of us know about it? Thanks to bland history writing, such facts of "macrohistorical" significance stay hidden from the common man. I should be expecting Europe to be running amok with the statues of Charles Martel, in every town and village, for having saved Christianity from Islam in Europe! Oddly, most Europeans themselves are not aware of Charles Martel and his critical deeds.
In contrast, one man in India is eminently responsible for the surrender of India to Islam, and to the beginning of Islamic rule which lasted nearly 800 years, and that is Prithviraj Chauhan.
We must study these two contrasting men.
CHARLES MARTEL:Born about 688; died at Quierzy on the Oise, 21 October, 741.
Before talking about Martel, we must talk about Islam, and quickly trace its beginnings and history. We all know something about the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammad who died in 632 AD. His followers, the illiterate Arabic tribal hordes, made Islamic conquests, by the sheer power of the sword, of vast lands inhabited by men who belonged to very rich civilizations. Certainly the sword was mightier than the pen.
In less than a Century after the passing away of Prophet Mohammad, the Arab Islamic tribes, with the help of the sword, conquered what constitute parts of the present-day Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and crossing the Gibraltar, took over nearly the whole of the Iberian peninsula, now consisting of Spain and Portugal. Thus Spain came under Islam, and the Islamic rule lasted nearly 700 years there, until the Reconquista (Restoration of Christianity) was complete in 1492 with the fall of Granada from Muslim rule.
Charles Martel's fame consists in stopping the Islamic hordes from running into France and into the whole of Europe by his famous victory in 732 AD, exactly 100 years after the Prophet's demise, at "the battle of Tours" ( also called "the battle of Poitiers", since the fighting really took place in between Tours and Poitiers).
It is interesting to read Charles Martel's life history. But a very brief sketch will do here. He was born around 688 AD in the then Frankish Realms, son of Pippin the Middle (lovely sounding, right?) and his concubine Alpaida (you can't get closer to Al-qaida!). The boy Carolus (Charles) became a great soldier and a General in due course of time. He adopted a unique military strategy, unknown in those days. His strategy had three elements. One, attack where the enemies don't expect you. Two, attack when the enemies do not expect you. Thirdly, pretend retreat (an Oriental tactic) and then make a surprise attack!
Leading the Frankish army, General Charles Martel hammered the Islamic forces lead by Abdul Rahman, the Emir of Cordoba (Incidentally, I have had the good fortune of visiting the lovely town of Cordoba in Spain.) Thus, the violent Islamic forces were stopped from crossing the Pyrenees mountain ranges. France and the rest of Western Europe were thus saved from Islam.
Charles got the cognomen Martel which means "hammer" due to the hammering he meted out to the Islamic forces. Charles Martel established the Carolingian dynasty, and his famous grandson Charlemagne (meaning Charles the Great) became the Emperor of Western Europe.
In my view, history text books do not do enough justice to the name of Charles Martel. His grandson Charlemagne consumes much more historical writing than him, most unfortunately.
PRITHVIRAJ CHAUHAN:1168-1192
Closer to home, we are very familiar with this Rajput hero, the second-last Hindu King (the last was Hemu, his son) to rule from Delhi.
Prithviraj (also known as Rai Pithora, hence Pithoragarh) was a powerful ruler from Delhi. His reign has been chronicled by his court poet Chand Bardoi. As per the latter's account, Prithviraj was infatuated with Samyukta, the beautiful daughter of the rival king Raja Jaichand of Kannauj, and abducted her on horse-back (in cinematic fashion) further raising the utter enmity of Raja Jaichand. Samyukta was also party to it as she fancied Prithviraj. The intricacies of this love-lore should be read by each of us as they are so fascinating.
The Afghan ruler of Ghazni, known as Mohammad Ghori (who succeeded "Mahmud Ghazni", the Gujerat invader and sacker of Somnath) invaded Punjab and conquered his way up to very close to Delhi. However, his forces were defeated by the forces of Prithviraj Chauhan in the first battle of Tarain in 1191 AD. Ghori was badly wounded and his army was thrashed. It is said that Raja Jaichand gave military support to the Chauhan king, and the combined forces were too strong for the Muslim enemy.
It is stated that Mohammad Ghori was brought in captivity to Delhi. King Chauhan's advisors suggested that he be beheaded. But in the magnanimous Rajput tradition, Prithviraj allowed him to go away scot-free. The very next year, in 1192 AD, Ghori came back with an attack. This time Raja Jaichand refused to support Chauhan with his forces. (Hence, the clubbing of Jaichand and Mir Jaffar as our national traitors!).
Chauan lost to Ghori in the second battle of Tarain in 1192 AD. Delhi came under Islam. (It is stated that Chauhan was taken to Ghazni, his eyes were gouged out, and he was eventually buried there).
I would think that the naivety of Chauhan caused the downfall of Delhi which went under Islamic rule for nearly eight Centuries. His letting off of Ghori scot-free was a totally thoughtless action. If only Chauhan had beheaded Ghori or at least kept him incarcerated, India's history could perhaps have been different. I will not accuse Raja Jaichand for India's Islamic conquest. Not in any case as much as I would accuse Chauhan.
One man saved Europe from Islam. One man lost India to Islam.
(PS: I do not want to be judgmental here about religions. It is not that Islamic rule did no good to India or that there were no Christian atrocities in Europe. But today, Islam has become a hot topic in the world due to terrorism of the worst kind.)
A popular serial is running on our T V Channels based on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan. I know people admire Prithviraj's heroics and his elopement with Sanyogita has become folklore.
He was so infatuated by Sanyogita that he forgot his duties as a king which made him a prey to the scheming Jaichand and Md Ghori who comquered Prithiviraj's army and started ruling Delhi.
So Helen of Troy was not the only woman who destroyed a nation.
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