Ancient India had never been examined as closely as Romila Thapar. Her views demonstrate her mastery of the subject as well as her concern for modern India. But totally misplaced with Marxist thought infused.
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article3261226.ece
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
What's in a Name? Hinduism and India
Indian? Which Indian?
Naming issues for India
What's in a name, some say. But the issue of confusion of names continue to dominate the history of India. No historian of India can navigate the history of India, without confronting these time consuming, and unending debates.
There seems to be a great confusion in names, this is true especially in the case of India, its name, people and faith.
There used to be only one India until Columbus decided to travel West and find another India, quite unknowingly. Now there is West Indies, and a variety of Indians- the so called Amerindians.
There is not so much debate about the name of Hinduism, although a minority of scholars debate if Hinduism is a religion or religions, or if Hinduism as a name is suitable to designate a religion. The West has a tendency to confuse anything concerning India, as noted in the case of Columbus and Indians. Therefore it is not a wonder that understanding India, its religion and culture causes some confusion.
Then there is the question of Aryan and Dravidian people of India. While evidence does not show any racial differences among the people of India, scholars still continue this debate.
The name of the country, people and their religion are all an issue for scholars. Is it because the scholars like to complicate simple things or is India too simple to understand that one had to find some issue of confusion?
Naming issues for India
What's in a name, some say. But the issue of confusion of names continue to dominate the history of India. No historian of India can navigate the history of India, without confronting these time consuming, and unending debates.
There seems to be a great confusion in names, this is true especially in the case of India, its name, people and faith.
There used to be only one India until Columbus decided to travel West and find another India, quite unknowingly. Now there is West Indies, and a variety of Indians- the so called Amerindians.
There is not so much debate about the name of Hinduism, although a minority of scholars debate if Hinduism is a religion or religions, or if Hinduism as a name is suitable to designate a religion. The West has a tendency to confuse anything concerning India, as noted in the case of Columbus and Indians. Therefore it is not a wonder that understanding India, its religion and culture causes some confusion.
Then there is the question of Aryan and Dravidian people of India. While evidence does not show any racial differences among the people of India, scholars still continue this debate.
The name of the country, people and their religion are all an issue for scholars. Is it because the scholars like to complicate simple things or is India too simple to understand that one had to find some issue of confusion?
Monday, March 5, 2012
To Cambodia and Back: Ram Temple in Bihar
Ram comes Home!
The largest Hindu temple of the world at Angkor Wat is being re-imagined and rebuilt in India after close to a millennium. The Angkor Wat temple was built by the emperor Suryavarma (1141-1152). The construction area of the main temple will be more than a hundred thousand square feet, with 5 shikharas similar to the Angkor Wat temple. The central shikhara will be 222 square feet tall. The temple complex will have temples dedicated to other deities such as Radha-Krishna, Shiva-Parvathi, Surya and the ten avataras of Vishnu. The temple committee estimates completion of the temple construction in 3-4 years with final stages estimated to take as long as 10 years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17259496
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Angkor-Wat-temple-Bhumi-pujan-today/articleshow/12141459.cms
For more details about the Angkor Wat temple, please check:
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/cambodia/angkor/angkorwat.php
The largest Hindu temple of the world at Angkor Wat is being re-imagined and rebuilt in India after close to a millennium. The Angkor Wat temple was built by the emperor Suryavarma (1141-1152). The construction area of the main temple will be more than a hundred thousand square feet, with 5 shikharas similar to the Angkor Wat temple. The central shikhara will be 222 square feet tall. The temple complex will have temples dedicated to other deities such as Radha-Krishna, Shiva-Parvathi, Surya and the ten avataras of Vishnu. The temple committee estimates completion of the temple construction in 3-4 years with final stages estimated to take as long as 10 years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17259496
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Angkor-Wat-temple-Bhumi-pujan-today/articleshow/12141459.cms
For more details about the Angkor Wat temple, please check:
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's State Visit
White House reception for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/24/first-state-dinner-president-obama-welcomes-his-excellency-dr-manmohan-singh-india
Watch two great leaders representing two great nations meet!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/24/first-state-dinner-president-obama-welcomes-his-excellency-dr-manmohan-singh-india
Watch two great leaders representing two great nations meet!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Oprah at Jaipur Literary Festival!
Oprah, the ever sweet lady visits India and makes waves!
Oprah is the most well known media face any where in the world- so there goes India. It is not Oprah that came to India, but India that came to her. India approached her with all her views, visions and sounds. No one ever goes to India for the first time. India just happens once or more as life happens. India is a microcosm of life, with all its ups, downs, good and bad.
Welcome to India Oprah!
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/ndtv-special-ndtv-24x7/my-life-has-been-a-taj-mahal-ndtvs-oprah-exclusive/221764?sp
Oprah is the most well known media face any where in the world- so there goes India. It is not Oprah that came to India, but India that came to her. India approached her with all her views, visions and sounds. No one ever goes to India for the first time. India just happens once or more as life happens. India is a microcosm of life, with all its ups, downs, good and bad.
Welcome to India Oprah!
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/ndtv-special-ndtv-24x7/my-life-has-been-a-taj-mahal-ndtvs-oprah-exclusive/221764?sp
Jaipur Literary Festival: Salman Rushdie
Salman's presence is ever visible even though some fanatical Muslim groups succeeded in making him stay away from the Jaipur literary festival. His thoughts pervade the world, so India no exception.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/jaipurs-rushdie-controversy-five-big-facts-168882
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/left-right-centre/from-husain-to-rushdie-have-indias-liberals-failed-to-stand-up/221861?hp
What India needs is to stand up for itself and not bow to sectarian pressures.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/jaipurs-rushdie-controversy-five-big-facts-168882
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/left-right-centre/from-husain-to-rushdie-have-indias-liberals-failed-to-stand-up/221861?hp
What India needs is to stand up for itself and not bow to sectarian pressures.
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