The Long Shadows of Hindu Kush

Indeed a very good read.

Finally a break from the crapy stupid political articles.

Netizen # 22

(After reading your article, I started wondering why Pakistan has named its missiles as Ghori, Ghazni and Abdali)

I think this realization is now gradually seeping in, even in the Punjabis. The people who named them had only read the state-sponsered History Books. An effort is also being made to re-write the history in its correct context.

Taxila is just a stone`s throw from Islamabad. They could have named Islamabad as Taxila; and the city could have been suddenly enriched by a 2000 year old history.

nhk

nhk,

You are like a sage of chowk, who regularly enlightens us with wisdom and fascinating tales.

After reading your article, I started wondering why Pakistan has named its missiles as Ghori, Ghazni and Abdali. None of them were of Pak origin. OTOH, they must have slaughtered the forefathers of present Pakis, as they were on their murderous path. Are people so blind of hate that they don`t see it or refuse to accept it. You comment about Bulleh Shahs description of Abdalis atrocities, and still punjabi majority pakis honor him? was there any punjabi muslim who ever became a ruler, all i know is Ranjit Singh being the only feared Sher-e-Punjab. Sikhs would have been a minority with muslim punjabis being a majority still the Sikhs ruled the region how do muslim punjabi view it? Is he accorded his place in history.

Thamizon # 18

(Can you give any proof that Punjabi Hindus/Sikhs still live there?)

Sikhs are very much there (and also at Peshawar) doing business. Some have recently returned back to Kabul after the Taleban were ousted.

I recently read somewhere that one last remaining Jew in Kabul has decided to leave for Israel.


nhk

Temporal # 12

(what is the current status of the durand line? )

The matter has yet to be resolved. Even our creation the Taleban refused to accept it. Afghans say that this treaty was between the British of United India and Afghanistan.

The Mughals had ceded West of Indus to Afghans. And, historically, Indus was considered a boundary of Hindu Kush.

In fact, all areas falling in Pakistan were considered outposts of South Asia. Babar kept roaming in these areas for 4 years but his victory is taken from the date he won at Panipat.

nhk

Temporal # 12

(what is the current status of the durand line? )

The matter has yet to be resolved. Even our creation the Taleban refused to accept it. Afghans say that this treaty was between the British of United India and Afghanistan.

The Mughals had ceded West of Indus to Afghans. And, historically, Indus was considered a boundary of Hindu Kush.

In fact, all areas falling in Pakistan were considered outposts of South Asia. Babar kept roaming in these areas for 4 years but his victory is taken from the date he won at Panipat.

nhk

Very interesting summary. Can you give any proof that Punjabi Hindus/Sikhs still live there? I would have though by now everyone would simply start to follow the majority religion.

Asoka became Budhist after witnessing the battle of Kalinga. He spread Budhism. It seems that without much success amongst the masses. Mauryas were Hindus.

HinduKush means Hindu Killer. The Hindu slaves on their way to the markets in foreign lands perished here in numbers. Thus the name Hindu Kush.

dost-mittar #9

{{Chandra Gupta Maurya, I believe, was himself not a Buddhist}}

There is a Jain tradition to the effect that Chandragupta Maurya adopted their path, abdicated in favour of his son Bindusara, became an ascetic and starved himself to death.

{{Incidentally, there is quite a bit of disagreement about the caste of Chandra Gupta Mauraya. He is believed by many to be of a low caste }}

Caste of peacock-breeders? There are other traditions though.

Re #14

``some say that that was hindu holocaust. I think the GoI should do some research to find the fact so that we can know what happened and why.``

Maybe dispersal and westward migration of Gypsies from then North/Northwest India was a result of that!

Re: # 15

``Maybe dispersal and westward migration of Gypsies from then North/Northwest India was a result of that! ``

I don`t think so. They would have moved eastwards not west, in case of fleeing an invasion. Hindu Kush refers to those emaciated, tired helpless slaves who were taken to slave bazaars of Samarqand/far west. It was a common practise among Islamic invaders eg Greek, Kievian Russ. Ironically indian textbooks are silent about these massacres.

I also found interesting that Mullah Omar of Taliban came from town/village of
Singesar near Kandahar.
Singesar sounds a lot like `apabhransha` of Singheshwar or short of SinghSarovar
(sar being short of Sarovar like in Amrutsar and Singh meaning Lion).

nazar:

interesting read

what is the current status of the durand line?

When the British come, they fail to conquer Hindu Kush from the East could have included briefly the afghan wars?

and the fakir of ippi?

rgds

t

NH,
It is not ``Poros`` - but Pururvas ( the name itself shows that he was a descendant
of Puru - who by the way is closely tied to the Rigveda and the Bharata)
Poros or Porus is the greek version of the Indian name - it tends to confuse.
Similiarly Darius - is actually Darayush

The name of Chanakya (the author of the Arthashastra) is Vishnu Gupta

#7
True.Hindu probably didnt refer to a certain religious group.But then again werent the majority Hindu or followers of hinduism!

A little off topic but has anyone her ever heard of Jordi Magraner? he spent the last 12 years searching for bigfoot (barmanu in local chitrali dialect) in these areas especially around Chitral.He was killed a few years ago by his servant.Alot of his research was based on witness testimonies; it just fascinates me as to how many secrets lay undiscovered in these regions.

Nazar Saheb#8:

Are you sure?

Chandra Gupta Maurya, I believe, was himself not a Buddhist. He was, in fact, brought to power by the famous brahmin Machiavalli, Chanakya.

Incidentally, there is quite a bit of disagreement about the caste of Chandra Gupta Mauraya. He is believed by many to be of a low caste (Modern day Guptas in India are, asaik, Vaisyas/Banias). This has an interesting contemporary significance. The dalit party of India, Bahujan Samaj Party` leader Mayawati, is trying to win over the brahmin votes in UP and is invoking the alliance of the Brahmin Chanakya and the low-caste Chandra Gupta to win their support.