I Spy Hindutva

I agree- calling a tomb as mahal makes no sense unless you want to denigrade the dhimmi 'mahal' as a tomb.
The place pre-existed as a mahal and was used to house mumtaz's kabr in a hindu dhimmi's palace.
It is like some one entering your house and asking it to be vacated for burying one's family member!!

Lahol!!

Look Vaibhav, maybe I was a bit too harsh on you yesterday. But the simple fact is - based on reading this piece, I strongly recommend you to focus on your studies more than mistakenly trying to solve the enigma that is Hinduism.

Vaibhav,

When I read your article I felt optimistic reading from an Indian who GETS it. Who has realized that the only true danger to his country comes from his own right-wingers. Just as I realize that the only true danger to our beautiful Pakistan comes from Islamo-fascists.

That in your country, a single gallone of petrol can cause the burning down of half of a state. No need to worry about Atfs, and Gaznivis.

But, it wasn't to be; I read the Interacts. As expected, the RSS-wallahs--and even worse--the Godseists, were on your case. No surprise there. What surprised me was how SELECTIVELY you respond to the interacts. That is, the interacts thus far!

Being in Texas, I am sure you have heard of the saying 'You can take the boy out of the village, but you cannot take the village out of the boy.'

Realizing this, the Hindutvadis are going to love you now!

Neverthelss, for the sake of the innocent in this region, I wish you all the best in your honest inquiry. The fact that you are a young person bespeaks your potential and,that you are miles ahead of a lot of others.

Please do not bother responding, I understand.

#49
Laddu ko itna gussa kyon ata hai ..

It may be b/c your families collective memory from too far a distance in the southern india was too overwhelming.

If tejo mahal was indeed so why no such 'mahal' in the south??????????.After all u guys did not even have to face any army....socho

The invading Moslem came 1000yrs ago so about 800 t0 1000A.D. ago ..theek

is taj mahal more than 1000yrs old ...haan ke na

Rajput built Hawa Mahal in Jaipur around 1800 'influenced by Moghul architecture '.How could taj be tejo mahal when muslim had already been in rule for 600 to 800yrs inconsolidated rule...theek

Hawa mahal of Jaipur was built in 1799!!!!!!!!!!!!
A study of Rajput monuments shows that it was strongly influenced by Mughal architecture. However, the Rajputs adapted and used Mughals styles so tastefully in their buildings that it led to the development of a distinct architectural style of great sophistication and imaginative invention. The Rajput style, on one hand, has traditional Hindu elements like the chhatris (small domed canopies, supported by pillars), fluted pillars, lotus and floral patterns, etc., and, on the other hand, it has elements like stone inlay work and arches, which are reflective of the Islamic style of architecture

His statement at the Muslim League annual conference was ambivalent and could be interpreted as a call either for a separate country or an autonomous region. In any case, there is no doubt that he was the one who mentored Jinnah who called for the resolution of Pakistan in 1940. There is nothing to suggest that Iqbal would have voted against that resolution.

I think that some time Indians should have a historical Truth and Reconciliation exercise where both sides can present their viewpoint and come to some kind of a consensus. Facts and myths are mixed on both sides. Even if a consensus is not possible because the two sides have completely different perspectives, this amrit-manthar could produce a nectar of truth.



naqshbandi:

"Also, from what I have read of Iqbal (ra), his Pakistan was to be an autonomous PART of the Indian Union not an independent country..."

I think that some time Indians should have a historical Truth and Reconciliation exercise where both sides can present their viewpoint and come to some kind of a consensus. Facts and myths are mixed on both sides. Even if a consensus is not possible because the two sides have completely different perspectives, this amrit-manthar could produce a nectar of truth.



naqshbandi:

"Also, from what I have read of Iqbal (ra), his Pakistan was to be an autonomous PART of the Indian Union not an independent country..."

His statement at the Muslim League annual conference was ambivalent and could be interpreted as a call either for a separate country or an autonomous region. In any case, there is no doubt that he was the one who mentored Jinnah who called for the resolution of Pakistan in 1940. There is nothing to suggest that Iqbal would have voted against that resolution.

@ bjkumar ji (Comment # 50)

I will take your advice and start studying once next semester begins. For now I'm gonna sit back, enjoy the summer and probably make a trip to Palanpur.

"...and, on the other hand, it has elements like stone inlay work and arches, which are reflective of the Islamic style of architecture"

You mean Hindu architecture never knew inlay work before mohamud ghori started to kill us??

THis not good news. India is trying to exploit Bangla Desh. Concerned countries China, pakistan and muslim nations need to offer same things and build same stuff in Bangla Desh. This indian company entering B.Desh will be detrimental to interests of pakistan and china. China and Pakistan should help bd to industrilse. Tata is old age company without high tech like china steel making. Fools are wasting time in tamasha of CJ and india will be investing in BD. Sorry state. now real Bad news.

BD to reopen talks with Tata



Sunday, May 11, 2008
DHAKA: Bangladesh’s military-backed government will reopen negotiations with Indian conglomerate Tata on Sunday on the group’s record three-billion-dollar investment plan, officials said.

Senior Tata officials led by its executive director Alan Rosling will meet top government bureaucrats nearly two years after the conglomerate postponed what would be the biggest single foreign investment in Bangladesh.

The Indian salt-to-telecoms giant offered to build a steel plant, two power plants, a fertiliser plant and a coal mine back in 2006, after upgrading a 2004 plan.

Bangladesh investment board chief Kamaluddin Ahmed confirmed the talks, but refused to provide agenda details.

A Tata official said the group was encouraged by “positive indications” from the Dhaka government.

“Yes, there is an intention to move it forward,” said Tata’s Bangladesh chief Syed Manzer Hossain. He said the company was ready to discuss all the issues.

“We submitted it in 2006 and it’s now 2008. Obviously there are some changes. The government may have some issues. We’ll evaluate the changing scenario after we meet,” he said.

Bangladesh has been under emergency rule since January 11 2007 when the president cancelled elections amid allegations of poll rigging.

The government has promised to “take up all necessary projects” to promote long-term economic growth and vowed to clean up corruption before restoring democracy and holding elections before the end of 2008.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party government had promised a decision on the Tata project by June 2006.

Re: # 56

You mean Hindu architecture never knew in lay work before mohamud ghori started to kill us?

I did not say (or believe that)t Indian tourism map site

http://india.mapsofindia.com/culture/monuments/hawa-mahal.html

Its common sensense not to think that Moghul / muslim brought EVERYTHING or India was not great prior to that.Let us celebrate now after independence EVERYTHING within the LAND of hindusthan .England Muslim , Ancient Indus valley civilisation The greek ,China ,India, Arabs when europe was in dark ages.

Safe1 #51 Agreed with most of your post.

wrt "Just as I realize that the only true danger to our beautiful Pakistan comes from Islamo-fascists. ", they are certainly the "worst case scenario" which in a sense is already upon us - yesterday, these animals blew up a degree college in Swat. last week they burnt a girls school. To associate the name "Islam" to these animals is to disgrace the name of Islam.

I would therefore suggest taking back not just Pakistan, but also our religion, from these animals.

But these animals are small fry, and can attack only those who are weak or have the misfortune of falling into their control. The root problem these small fry are a problem is the rogue general and his kind who have abused their military power to give rise to the taliban and for whom the voice of the Pakistani people is totally unimportant.

Until and unless the rule of law is restored in Pakistan, these problems will fester. The PML may seem to stand alone today in upholding the rule of law against the corrupt politicians of ppp and pmlq, but in fact there is vast public opinion in support of the rule of law. The next few months will be critical to determining the future course of Pakistan - whether it is towards civilization or towards the rule of the animals.

#59 the last sentence may be a bit too pessimistic - the rogue general has already lost the absolute power, or even any significant power. And that is good.

But still - the potential for mischief remains unless the rule of law is restored. And ppp's disgraceful stand on this issue of the restoration of the chief justice thus keeps the possibility open of future ambitious generals seeking to become ataturks of Pakistan.

yar laddu/sha, the most "interesting" acthitecture in rajastan in in jain tamples...neigther "hindu" not mussalmani. go check out the temples in delwara, jaisselmer fort, or better, ranakpore..man the shilpis play some serious tricks on you. besides magnificent domes, and pillar etc..you pay good attention to detail..and you will find out the the repeated patterns of apsaras etc are actually not repeated and there is always the mischivious touch of the shilpi (mason)...mostly porn offcourse,

Re: # 41
Have you ever stood up for anything or anybody? What faith do you belong to BJ?

If you stop abusing Islam, we may discuss something as pleasant as Indian film music one day!

Your choice.

@ tahir Re: # 62

I've become averse to Indian film music since Reshammiya.
I guess it's not a fair equation.

{"Hindutva seeks to assert its victory2 in every feasible way. From all possible sources, it seeks to produce and display its success. In doing so, when Hindutva faces the ire of traditions, it turns to modernity. When rebuked by modernity, it sings the praises of traditions. When it fails to adopt the principles of communalism, it treads the path of secularity and on facing a dead end it retreats to seek solace with communalism again. It has abhorred both Gandhi and socialism, yet accepts them together whenever it feels the need ."}

Vaibhav,
Beautifully written and in the above quote you have summarized the essential spirit of "India Shining." It is this self-righteous, "our shit doesn't stink" jingoism of right-wing BJP/RSS/VHP/BD/SP/SS/JS/MNS hate-mongrels that drives people like me away from any sympathy or positive feeling for "modern" India. A lot of people see success in today's India - I see nothing short of an oligarchy deliberately manufactured for the self-interests of a few high-caste hedonists at the top. This unfair monstrosity will definitely come tumbling down in good time - hopefully with as little violence as possible. Good article, please keep writing.