संवाद # 95: How old are Hindus, Hindustan, India's cultural & political unity | Dr Meenakshi Jain

#ancientindia #hindustan #hindu

MeenakshiJain is a historian interested in cultural and religious developments in ancient and medieval India. Her recent publications include Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura (2021); Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples (2019); The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya (2017); Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse (2016); and Rama and Ayodhya (2013).

In 2020, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.

Her latest book 'The Hindus of Hindustan: A Civilisational Journey' is now out. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.in/HINDUS-HINDUSTA...

0:00 Meenakshi Jain’s most important book
2:47 How old are Hindus and Hindustan
4:37 How our sacred geography expanded
6:41 Indians had solid consciousness of India by 500 BC
9:43 How the institution of Tirth united India culturally
13:42 Chanakya & antiquity of India’s political unity
17:29 The consciousness of Cholas
18:57 Common men & women patronised Dharma
25:12 Did Brahmins impose Sanatan Dharma on masses?
26:52 Mathura as melting pot of Dharmik panths
29:52 The unity of Sacred dharmik symbols
32:30 Reality of Dharma Shastras
36:02 Aryavarta - Meaning & its expansion
39:25 Manu & how Indians viewed foreigners
42:47 Interesting history of Maga & Kamboj Brahmins
44:15 Did we induct foreign warrior groups into our social system
47:18 Why Gurjar kings used 'Pratihara' title
49:01 How earlier invaders became Hindu
54:35 Why Hindus became wary of foreigners - Islamic invasions
58:18 Brave Hindu resistance against Islamic invaders
1:06:06 Why no big temple in Chandni Chowk
1:09:51 Why Raja Maan Singh feared building a temple
1:11:47 Mughal oppression of farmers
1:15:36 Akbar promoted Persian, not Hindi
1:18:01 How Urdu was born
1:21:34 Real reason why Akbar hired Hindu officials
1:24:49 Mughal mindset always preferred foreigners