Скачать или смотреть Why Do We glorify Tyrants like Tipu Sultan, Jahangir & Taimur? Anand Ranganathan exposes history

Anand Ranganathan critiques the selective historical narrative and cultural symbolism in India. He begins by highlighting how Bollywood celebrities Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan named their son Taimur, and how politician Akhilesh Yadav takes pride in the nickname "Tipu," referring to Tipu Sultan. He argues that Tipu Sultan was not just a ruler but also the author of a manifesto advocating jihad and forced conversions, portraying him in a negative light.

He then contrasts this with the treatment of historical figures like Guru Arjan Dev, who was tortured to death by Mughal emperor Jahangir. Despite this brutal history, Jahangir is often romanticized in Indian cinema, particularly through his portrayal as the poetic and love-struck Salim in popular films.

Ranganathan further criticizes the reluctance of some intellectuals to honor historical Indian figures. He points out that historian Ramachandra Guha opposed renaming Delhi roads after Chhatrapati Shivaji, dismissing him as a mere regional figure and a feudal lord who upheld caste hierarchies. Ranganathan challenges this perspective by emphasizing Shivaji’s vast empire, which extended from Peshawar to Plassey, arguing that his contributions to Indian history are far more significant than often acknowledged.