History of Hindumisia and Hindu Genocides
Author: Bijeet Prasantha
Genre: History
Published by Garuda Prakashan
Pages: 510
MRP: Rs. 699/-
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4frXjB6
Bijeet Prashantha’s History of Hindumisia and Hindu Genocides is an ambitious and methodologically rigorous exploration of an often-neglected aspect of global and Indian history: the systemic targeting, oppression, and genocidal campaigns against Hindus over the course of more than a millennium. This book seeks not only to document historical events but also to examine the ideological, political, and cultural forces driving these atrocities. It challenges mainstream historical narratives, particularly those shaped by post-colonial Marxist historiography, while proposing a framework for retrospective understanding and prospective reconciliation.
Preface and Authorial Intent
Prashantha’s preface sets the tone for the book, underscoring the importance of memory and historical awareness in the survival of a people. Citing the destructive force of religious and ideological divides, the author frames the genocides of Hindus as the product of both religious intolerance and political opportunism. Prashantha’s objective is clear: to use primary historical records and a scientific approach to rewrite a history that has been, in the author’s view, distorted or ignored by mainstream scholarship. He acknowledges the communal tone of the subject matter but argues that this is an inevitable consequence of the historical realities under examination.
The preface’s most striking assertion is the claim that elements of the historical genocidal ecosystem remain active today, posing a continuing threat to India’s civilizational identity. The author emphasizes that the book is not a call for retribution but a plea for retrospection and reconciliation. This nuance is critical to understanding Prashantha’s approach.
Structure and Methodology
The book is divided into multiple parts, each focusing on a specific theme or period:
Introduction to Genocide: Establishes the conceptual framework of genocide, drawing from international law and historical sociology. The author uses Raphael Lemkin’s definition of genocide to explain how it encompasses not just physical annihilation but also cultural and civilizational destruction.
Medieval India: Documents the invasions by Islamic rulers, beginning with the Arab incursions into Sindh under Mohammad bin Qasim and extending through the campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni and others. This section details the destruction of temples, mass killings, forced conversions, and the systematic dismantling of Hindu societal structures. The brutality of these invasions is vividly captured: entire cities reduced to rubble, temples razed to their foundations, and countless innocent lives extinguished in a relentless cycle of violence. The chilling description of Banbhore’s mosque, reportedly constructed with the bones of slaughtered Hindus, exemplifies the extremes of barbarity.
Colonial India: Explores how British colonial policies further marginalized Hindus, portraying them as a society to be "civilized" while exploiting internal divisions. The cultural genocide during this period took the form of institutional erasure—rewriting history to glorify colonial rule and delegitimize Hindu traditions.
Contemporary Reflections: Analyzes the remnants of this historical oppression in modern India, including ideological and institutional challenges. Prashantha underscores how narratives denying or minimizing these historical atrocities perpetuate cycles of cultural marginalization.
Each section is richly detailed, citing historical sources ranging from Islamic chroniclers to British records and modern historians. Prashantha’s commitment to factual rigor is evident, though the book’s tone occasionally reflects the emotive weight of its subject matter.
Key Themes and Arguments
1. Religious Doctrine as a Tool of Genocide
Prashantha argues that Abrahamic religious doctrines—both Islamic and Christian—played a significant role in legitimizing and perpetuating the genocides of Hindus. The book details how Islamic invaders viewed Hindus as "idolaters" and justified acts of mass violence, slavery, and temple destruction as religious obligations. Similarly, the British colonizers’ "civilizing mission" framed Hindu traditions as primitive, paving the way for cultural erasure and systemic discrimination.
2. Destruction of Temples and Cultural Icons
The author dedicates considerable attention to the destruction of temples, which he views as symbolic acts aimed at breaking the spiritual and cultural backbone of Hindu society. Examples include the desecration of the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni and the construction of mosques on the ruins of Hindu temples. These acts, Prashantha argues, were not merely plunder but calculated efforts to demoralize and dominate. The graphic accounts of Mahmud’s seventeen invasions highlight the systematic nature of these atrocities. The loss of cultural icons was not just physical; it severed the spiritual connection of Hindus to their sacred spaces, aiming to render them leaderless and disillusioned.
3. Genocidal Continuity
Prashantha’s most provocative claim is that the genocide of Hindus is an ongoing process, albeit in subtler forms. He identifies ideological biases in Indian academia, systemic denial of historical atrocities, and political appeasement as modern manifestations of historical patterns of oppression. The enduring resilience of Hindu society, however, is equally remarkable. Despite the sustained onslaught of genocidal campaigns, Sanatan Dharma has endured, continuously adapting and evolving while retaining its core essence. This resilience speaks volumes about the spiritual strength and unwavering faith of its practitioners.
4. Historiographical Critique
The book critiques what the author terms the "Marxo-Ashraaf style" of history writing, which he claims whitewashes Islamic and colonial atrocities while vilifying Hindu resistance. Prashantha’s alternative approach emphasizes primary sources and rejects the enforced secular symmetry of post-independence Indian historiography.
Strengths
Meticulous Research: The book’s reliance on primary sources and historical records lends it credibility. References to Islamic chroniclers such as Al Utbi and Al Biruni, alongside British colonial accounts, provide a well-rounded narrative.
Comprehensive Scope: Covering over a thousand years of history, the book provides a detailed account of Hindu genocides, from the earliest invasions to contemporary challenges.
Clarity of Purpose: Prashantha’s intent to awaken historical consciousness among Hindus is clear and consistent throughout the book.
Engaging Narrative: Despite its academic rigor, the book is written in an engaging style that makes it accessible to a broad audience.
Weaknesses
Subjective Tone: While the author’s passion is evident, the tone occasionally veers into polemics, which might alienate readers seeking a more detached analysis.
Limited Solutions: Although the book identifies the need for reconciliation and corrective measures, it offers few concrete solutions beyond retrospective analysis.
Conclusion
History of Hindumisia and Hindu Genocides is a compelling and necessary contribution to the study of Indian history. It challenges dominant narratives and brings to light a dark and often ignored aspect of the subcontinent’s past. While the book’s emotive tone and ideological stance may not resonate with all readers, its factual depth and analytical rigor make it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the historical challenges faced by Hindus.
Prashantha’s work is a call to acknowledge and learn from history, emphasizing that reconciliation is impossible without recognition. By documenting centuries of persecution, the book provides a framework for understanding the resilience of Hindu civilization and the steps needed to ensure its continuity. The survival of Sanatan Dharma, against all odds, stands as a testament to its profound spiritual foundation and the indomitable spirit of its adherents. This endurance inspires hope for a future where truth and reconciliation can pave the way for lasting harmony.
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