PDF Ganga Jamuni by Naz Ikramullah in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Composite indian culture and hindu/muslim nationalism.By Abdul J. KhanThis timely book provides a short crisp review of so called " india's composite" culture that evolved since the arrival of muslims ( 712 AD onwards) ; polished by mighty mughals by 18 th century and exemplified by language; literature; art and architecture--an example being TAJ Mahal and its ( in author's phrase) symmetry. She is honest and vocal in saying that hindus and muslims had created this rich and composite system that became the target/victim of india's partition in 1947. In her own adopted home " Pakistan" assumed as ' islamic'--many of the cultural elements; are challenged by current fundamentalism as ' non islamic'--eg music; dance etc as was the blown up Buddha's statue in Afghanistan ( part of Mughal india ). Her inner pain and voice of dissent reflects her first hand experience as a young child ;a witness to horrors of partition-; also shared /disliked by others--including this author; This was indeed " indian holocaust" ( ~ 2 million perished and 20 million displaced). Her book ; a clear reminder to younger generations of muslims and hindus on subcontinent about " good old days--is pretty informative and would be a most valuable bridge with imminent indo-pak reconciliation and peace process of which many;happen to be wishfull dreamer. Some highlights : 1) Persian script/language;; had united all and hindus wrote their scriptures in it as well; Author has included a page from Ramayana.2) all celebrated hindu/muslim festivals; 3) Muslims adopted local dress and marriage; customs; color and costumes/ jewellaries--author provides beautfull illustrations 4) musical; tunes; ragas of india adopted by muslim scholars and musicians; like Amir Khusru ( 13th cent -Delhi) 5) Islamic Sufism and hindu bhakti movements--idea of " peace with all" created the necessary glue/bridge-or foundation of composite culture--she rightly points out with many examples--khwaja Nizamuddine of Delhi and numerous others--who even now attract millions of hindus as devotees at their " death ( not birth-an error on p10/line 8) anniversary celebrations.6) muslim and hindu artist painting all arts including religious- a good example she gives of ALI reza doing hindu God Vishnu -p2. Off course there were many like bishen das and Mansur qash of shahjehan's time. A great emphasis in the book is on the language called Urdu; hindi and or Hindustani-- same speech but called muslim's Urdu if written in Arabic-Persian script and ' hindu's hindi' if in devnagari script; she is right in saying that language still runs the indo-pak cinema and stage. As is known this division is british created in 1800 and tied up with so called " Aryan . semitic" race theory--a biblical non historic myth--rejected by modern linguists and historians--such as Romilla Thaper and also detailed in my own work: " Urdu/hindi an artificial divide--African heritage and british colonialism"( 2006-new York). I find the book as a great resource to learn india's composite history in a non controversial realm; facts lined up with utmost clarity. Most authors however on the subject including her seem convinced of an error ( in my opinion) assuming " hindu and muslim" cultures as distinct entities and merger of the two ' ala merging of two rivers Ganges and Jumna--reflecting book's title--founding the composite india; This is correct with qualified assumption before discoveries of "midesat cradle of civilization" in 1870s-1900. This civilization now accepted as the " mother " of all civilizations--now wrongly ( in my opinion) labeled as hindu; muslim; Christian and chinesetc--this is the state of art in history. Obviously this is a collateral subject and clearly out side her perspective on this book. Her book can certainely create necessary stimulus for further reading; It is though a valuable reading for peace building in south asia--perhaps an urgent necessity.