Daily Times

‘India: A History’ by John Keay opens with a comprehensive discussion on The Harappan World, in historical perspective. The author traces the various religious beliefs i.e. Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, down to floods, as consequences of “Divine Displeasure” or “Natural Occurrence” behind the destruction of the Harappan World. Kea ycomprises an extensive description on “fantasy” of Hindu mythology and shares the Manu’s (human being, or the first man) dialogue with a fish to save her life.

Early version of human race in context to water is discussed. The writer attempts to elaborate historical destructions by natural disasters around 3000 BC, discovered later in the 1920s in the ruins of Harappa (Punjab) and Mohenjo-daro (Sindh). Furthermore, the writer amicably highlights the dominant features of the Harappan and Mohenjo-daro civilisation, with a remarkable discussion on the findings and remainings of these two places.

In this study, the writer overviews the Indus Valley Civilisation in regards to its culture and lifestyle, along with a deep study on the remaining of the Indus civilisation. With the help of this, the author tries to reach the ancient past of India, and measure events, chronologically advancing history, according to the transpired order.

In the second chapter, the author literarily discusses the importance and worth of the “Sanskrit literary heritage”and Vedic prayers. As the “Vedic prayers are still said; televised serialisations of the Sanskrit epics can bring the entire Indian nation to a hushed standstill”. With this, he focuses on the Aryas, the pastorals and nomads as “in no sense are they seen as a divinely chosen people”. In Indian history, Aryashad a profuse influence on Sanskrit literature, particularly in Ganga valley and nearby. They were also inclined to find divine powers in natural forces.

But Keay realised that the socio-religious influence of the Aryas only appeared when Western scholars were inspired and started work on Sanskrit. He puts responsibility on the 19th century colonists forgiving a sense of diversity by manoeuvring the native historical ethics and events. The author has insightful debate on the Epic Agein Indian history between c900-520BC.He tries to depict the themes and life of the Indians in this age.

With reference to the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Rig Veda, the writer narrates Hindu mythology like the discussion on Purana (ancient legends), “a group of Sanskrit text” following the discussion “to go back to Manu”. The book also shares a variable in the historical trends, particularly, the epic history of India. For example, Keay discusses that “historicity of a hero demands that his place and dates be established” history, as in Indian history such dates were not disused before Buddha.

His discussion on the monarchies and republics decorates the book with the code of laws, socio-economic and political activities of ancient India. The Book gives a divine approach towards Indian history, as the author analyses most of the historical data under the influence of Hindu and Buddhist mythologies; of course, with reference to religious wisdoms.

Progressively, the book stretchesto c320-200BC, the period of “Gloria Maurya”, with the establishment of the Maurian Empire in India. The discussion reveals that the Buddhist and Jain text have enormous information regarding Maurya. John challenges the worth, importance and features of Arthshastra, Kamasutra and Manu Simriti (the legal code of Manu), but these resources have a major deficiency because none of these was “compiled in its present until the early centuries AD, may not be very reliable guides to actual practices”. However, he does not overlook the standings of the versions of these implausible historical assets, because they are based on certain worthwhile observations.

The author idealises Chandragupta Maurya, highlighting his potentials and abilities, because he establishes the idea of “an empire based on military supremacy from his observation of Alexander’s conceit”. Keay portrays Gupta as the “Indian Julius Caesar”. The book comprises the socio-political issues from Chandragupta c321-297BC to Brahadratha d.c 181 BC. This seems historically worthwhile, because India was advancing towards an appropriate “state making”, as political analogies prevailed to strengthen a political will among Indians in this era.

The book covers the Ashoka, Buddhism and China’s historical affluences in socio-economic and geographical extends between c200BC-c300AD. Notes in the book highlight the importance of the geographical influences and relations of regional communities. Culture and traditions of the said era have been discussed in detail with the comparison and analysis of contemporary civilisations. India was prospering steadily and moving towards a proper state formation. The available notes in the book are sufficient to appreciate the socio-political scenario of the discussed era.

This work also approaches to the carved records of the Ashoka, Kharavela and Kanishka recovered from various parts of India. Record diagnosed various languages “much simplified derivatives of classical Sanskrit, the prakrit languages have sometimes been unfairly likened to pidgin; after a further stage of adaptation, they would spawn the Indo-Aryan regional languages of today-Hindi, Mirathi, Gujrati, Punjabi etc,” while Sanskrit was a prestigious language. The book illustrates images of various buildings: Buddah’s status, coins, manuscripts, ruins, etc., to fascinate the era of India between c300-500AD.

The author precedes the Indian history between c500-c900, in detail. Keay particularly discuss the sizeable entrance of the Muslims in the India between c700-c900, for trade purposes. They “rapidly engrossed the valuable carrying trade in Arabian horses to India and in Indian and south-east Asian spices to Arabia”. The author describes in detail the Muslim invasions by Muhammad Bin Qasim and Muslims’ expansions in India with its after effects. Moreover, work demonstrates the historical events occurred duringc950-1180, by discussing various small kingships in different parts of India, with their battles and politics among their rulers.

For example, the book debates the Shahis in the middle of the ninth century, from north-west frontiers to Afghanistan. The policies and political strategies of the central Asian states, and their concerns with India are also highlighted. This demonstrates the importance of India in the region, because most of the central Asian states including Kabul were framing inter-related policies with India. On the other hand, “In the Punjab, the Shahis jostled with Gurjara, Kashmiri and Sindhi rivals, sometimes as allies, sometimes as enemies…”

The book also focuses on the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazna, “a man with awesome reputation”. His tactics and warfare are discussed with his abilities to command the troops conquering India’s wealth. Keay amazingly covers the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290), from Qutb-ud-Din Aybak to Kayumars, having smooth criticism on their rule. Discussion on a diminutive Khilji dynasty (1290-1320),from Qaim Khan to Qutb-ud-Din Mubarik, and particularly, the debate on the reign of Ala-ud-Din Khilji, augments the idea of “Muslim Conquests” in India.

The deliberate conversation on the Mangol Empire in India, from 1500-1605 (the Great Mughal Empire),is farfetched. Zahiruddin Babar’s (the ‘Tiger’) intentions and measures towards India, with his invasions, ornament the book in detail. Keay’s discussion on the Mughals seems far from biasedness, but based on true observations and annotations. The author ranges his discussion to Humayun, the son of Babar, who escaped to Iran, and the formation of the Suri dynasty.

The book addresses the issues, events and effects of the pre and post Suri dynasty, on India. The discussion also highlights the Great Mughal period under ‘Akbar the Great’, son of Humayun. His combats to expend the Mughal Empire are glorified. Akbar’s theological ideas and thoughts such as Din-i-Ilahi, are discussed to unite the realm. “Akbar’s quest for spiritual enlightenment was undoubtedly sincere, but it was not disinterested. He sought a faith which would satisfy the needs of his realm as well as those of his conscience”.

In contrast,the author by discussing the reigns of Jahangir (with Mahr-ul-Nisa), Shah Jehan (the Mughal Architect) and Alamgir, critically appreciates the Mughal Empire. The establishment of the Mughal Empire, from 1526 to 1707, until the death of Auragzeb Alamgir, was a marvellous era of Indian History under the Great Mughals. Muslim emperors proved their decree and supremacy over maximum part of the Indian sub-continent. Moreover, Keaybrands that “the Mughal Empire, whether bearing the character of ‘patrimonial bureaucracy’ as per the administrative hierarchy, or of ‘a centralized autocracy’ as per the ranking system, was essentially a coercive military machine.”

The book has meticulous annotations on the decline of the Mughals, like war for succession, and the advent and penetration of the British from Bengal for trade purposes. Particularly, during the reign of Aurangzeb, issues of Southern India perpetually multiplied and disturbed the Empire in the later Mughal period of 1707-1857. Keay marvellously divides the period of Mughal reign and supports the script, with images and worthwhile maps comprehending the tangible contemporary socio-political and economic phenomenon of India.

The downfall of the Sikh Dynasty of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, various fights and new codes of conducts hosted by the British and treaties, have colossally played part in this valuable effort. In March 1849, Sikhs withdrew from Punjab, and the British Administration at last annexed Punjab. On this, Keay quoted, “On 29 March, 1849, Maharaja Dalip Singh held his court for the last time in his life to sign the document of annexation in Roman letters and to become the pensioner of British”.

Far-reaching accomplishments and dogmas of the British East India Company, and later, the situations of India under British Raj, have been demonstrated admirably. The text discloses that India was an exploitative colony in the hands of the British hierarchy. The latter established various institutions, introduced laws and practised doctrines such as Right of Lapse, to exploit natives and to extract the natural resources and wealth of the Indian periphery for Britain, their own motherland. Gradually, they became successful in capturing India, and the Mughal Emperorwas demoted to the ‘King of Delhi’. This provoked the Indians and Princely States and became the reason for the ‘War of Independence’ or ‘Revolt of 1857’,consequently later confirmed by the British decree in India.

This work highlights the emerging political voices by the Indians because of educational and political awareness amongst them. Natives were demanding reformation and gradual modified strategies from the British Administration, interpreting the future disruptions and supplementary arrangements by the Raj. Indian political circumstances widened the breaches between the Congress and Muslim League; this triggered the aggression among Indian communities for their rights and the demand of an end in August 1947. Keay very attractively depicts all these circumstances, with minute observations. The author covers all major events, like the migration and division of areas that somehow brought India to the logical end of its Partition.

The author’s intelligence and scholarship is magnificent, to present events without historical flaws. He proves that the Partition of India was the only solution of Indian socio-political dilemmas. Overall, the book is a rich contribution into comprehending the initial crisis of India and Pakistan and to make a comparative analysis of the history of both new dominions. John’s chronological elaboration helps historians to understand the initial concerns that are still key problems amongst both India and Pakistan, such as political dominance on each other, Kashmir issue, terrorism, Sikhs issues in India, etc.

Paperback, 658 pages

Published – July 22nd, 2010 by HarperPress (first published March 1st 2000)

Original Title- India: A History

Edition Language – English

Other Editions – 12 (BOX)

The writer can be reached at busharathistorian@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 4^th 2018.