A Rare Gem! - Page 2

Originally posted by: Donjas

Mandy, your post is heartwarming. Akbar, indeed was a rare human being.

Even today, many extremists regard Akbar as either a brutal Muslim ruler or as an unbeliever, depending on which religion they belong to. They view Akbar through their own narrow prism, not realizing that for Akbar, religion itself was a means to an end. He said it in that famous letter to King Philip of Spain "We profit from the discourses of holy men of all faiths."

The tendency to view Akbar from the narrow prism of religion is very difficult to avoid, even for secular individuals. At India's independence, when the constituent assembly was proposing various emblems and symbols for the new India, a lot of motifs related to Ashoka were selected, but not one of Akbar. Lord Mountbatten criticized them for that.

On 5th October, the RSS is organizing a historical seminar on "Hemu, the forgotten Hindu Hero". The Union minister of culture is going to take part in addition to many other luminaries. Do not be surprised, if at this occasion a lot of vitriol is thrown at Akbar.

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Atta girl, Ela! Spot on, and I am with you 100%.

The fact is that Hemu has been completely buried as far as the popular imagination goes, and It is not a bad idea to say something about him. Nor does such an event have to be anti-Akbar. Even if it is, it is a free country, and we can continue to admire him whole-heartedly. No one is stopping us.

We are, all things said and done, a very tolerant and accepting people. Otherwise there would not still be an Aurangzeb Road in the heart of New Delhi.

If you ever heard US tele-evangelists on Hinduism, you would want to throw up, but they have any number of followers for whom their words, including about other religions, is gospel truth.. Kya karein? To each his own.

As for who had it tougher, of course Jodha and her ilk had it tougher. But for that very reason, it is that much more admirable, all that Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar did, for there was not the least compulsion on him to do so, and he was tolerant, broad-minded and accepting from his inner conviction (not, I am sure, because he was coached in being so by Jodha Begum).

As for the Asoka lion stambha symbol being chosen by the Constituent Assembly instead of something relating to Akbar, I do not think Lord Mountbatten, who precipitated the worst carnage in Indian history by advancing the date for the partition, need be our guide or have the last word in that matter. Asoka was the pre-eminent symbol of non-violence (at least after Kalinga) and that principle was dearest to the heart of Mahatma Gandhi

So, the lion symbol and the dharmachakra must have been chosen precisely for that reason. Akbar would hardly qualify under that head, nor would Chandragupta Vikramaditya. I do not see how Asoka was any less great than Akbar. They were both great and they were different, that is all.

And what symbol of Akbar's could have been chosen anyway?

Here, I would like to clarify, in self-defence, that I am NOT discussing history outside the designated thread, for this choice dates back to just 1947 and that is not history, Mughal or otherwise.

And Mandy dearest, what is the point of such endless lamentations about how the serial Jalal falls short of the real icon? Right now Jodha Begum is having to share credit for the jaziya removal with Mahesh Das, who has also started dealing with the maulvis on behalf of the Shahenshah, and I am sure he will get at least 50% share from now on, the remaining credit going to Jodha Begum.

I was also intrigued by Todar Mal's cliched argument that the reduction in the extent of Hindu rebellion would save the sultanate money and thus make up for the loss of the jaziya revenue. What about the increased instances of rebellion against these reforms, which were a perennial feature of Akbar's reign, at least of the latter part? Putting them down would surely also have cost extra money!

Shyamala

Lovely post Shyamala...

You explianed it so well...

For me Shyamala Hemu and Akbar and Ashok and MP all are my ancesters...They are my heritage and I am proud of them...

And Shymala I do not wish to see an India where we cant critise any one...Muzhe yeh sab pasand nahi hai...Yeh forum kya kam hai fanaticism ko promote karne ke liye...

Originally posted by: mandyg

seepiyan to bahut hain lekin moti kitne kam
keechar ka failaaw kitna lekin kamal kitne kam

hum akele hi chal pare sar pe kafan baandhe hue
kya pata tha hamare naam ki bhi misaal di jayegi

tu akbar hai tere naam ke aage mera sar jhukta hai
tu heera hai anmol jiski chamak aaj bhi kayam hai...

i was sitting in my lunch room at work and saw small groups of same culture people sitting in their comfort zone and felt at home with their own clan and they were happy and that made me think of this great man Akbar who not only accepted other religions with open mindedness but gave equal importance to all cultures, festivities, and appointed ministers belonging to different sectors of society! how he did that when he could easily feel comfortable and happy with his own clan!..it takes a big heart and open mindedness to be that humble and willing to accept the differences and give them respect!

although ekta has not given full justice to once a great emperor but i must say that the traits of secularism are visible through his love for his hindu begum and appointing ministers belonging to separate religion and then going against his own people especially the maulwis to set an example of being a fair ruler! and how many do we see these days fair leaders like him?

be his going to langer and sitting in pangat or be his worshiping of idol or even bowing in front of devi maa in the temple..how many can do it?..why we go far look at our own forum that is divided and we cannot tolerate each other's different views and here this great man had a heart so big that whole hindustan could sleep in peace and he would take care of them and protect their rights..i bow to this rare gem and wish that ekta does full justice to his reforms and wars and not succumb them to the trps in greed of making money! am i, a fan of this great man asking too much by asking to show the truth and what was in history in terms of his achievements?

all i hope for is...

Gham ki andheri raat me dil ko na beqaraar kar,
Subaah zaroor aye gi subah ka intezaar kar..

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Lovely lines, Mandy my dear, mirroring your despair at what Akbar the Great is being reduced to onscreen. I doubt if anything dramatic by way of improvements in the script can be expected, but do not fret. Akbar's reputation is proof against such depredations, and he will remain what he was all these centuries, a greatly admired and respected historical icon.

Shyamala

Originally posted by: sashashyam

Atta girl, Ela! Spot on, and I am with you 100%.

The fact is that Hemu has been completely buried as far as the popular imagination goes, and It is not a bad idea to say something about him. Nor does such an event have to be anti-Akbar. Even if it is, it is a free country, and we can continue to admire him whole-heartedly. No one is stopping us.

We are, all things said and done, a very tolerant and accepting people. Otherwise there would not still be an Aurangzeb Road in the heart of New Delhi.

If you ever heard US tele-evangelists on Hinduism, you would want to throw up, but they have any number of followers for whom their words, including about other religions, is gospel truth.. Kya karein? To each his own.

As for who had it tougher, of course Jodha and her ilk had it tougher. But for that very reason, it is that much more admirable, all that Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar did, for there was not the least compulsion on him to do so, and he was tolerant, broad-minded and accepting from his inner conviction (not, I am sure, because he was coached in being so by Jodha Begum).

As for the Asoka lion stambha symbol being chosen by the Constituent Assembly instead of something relating to Akbar, I do not think Lord Mountbatten, who precipitated the worst carnage in Indian history by advancing the date for the partition, need be our guide or have the last word in that matter. Asoka was the pre-eminent symbol of non-violence (at least after Kalinga) and that principle was dearest to the heart of Mahatma Gandhi

So, the lion symbol and the dharmachakra must have been chosen precisely for that reason. Akbar would hardly qualify under that head, nor would Chandragupta Vikramaditya. I do not see how Asoka was any less great than Akbar. They were both great and they were different, that is all.

And what symbol of Akbar's could have been chosen anyway?

Here, I would like to clarify, in self-defence, that I am NOT discussing history outside the designated thread, for this choice dates back to just 1947 and that is not history, Mughal or otherwise.

And Mandy dearest, what is the point of such endless lamentations about how the serial Jalal falls short of the real icon? Right now Jodha Begum is having to share credit for the jaziya removal with Mahesh Das, who has also started dealing with the maulvis on behalf of the Shahenshah, and I am sure he will get at least 50% share from now on, the remaining credit going to Jodha Begum.

I was also intrigued by Todar Mal's cliched argument that the reduction in the extent of Hindu rebellion would save the sultanate money and thus make up for the loss of the jaziya revenue. What about the increased instances of rebellion against these reforms, which were a perennial feature of Akbar's reign, at least of the latter part? Putting them down would surely also have cost extra money!

Shyamala


great post shaymala 😊

Originally posted by: adiana12

Mandy, interestingly 4 of his navratnas were hindus - that shows his ability to create comfort zones not only for himself but also for others where the common thread was the ability to look with different povs and accept differences and appreciate other povs and their differences - it was by creating a space where no one had to fear being different would be a reason for persecution or ridicule that Akbar managed to create - which is missing today - we can see for ourselves how a different perspective is not only ridiculed but is also pushed off the radar !!!

Originally posted by: rima4ever

superb sayeri

Originally posted by: rima4ever

yes he was a real great man

ekta just cannot diminish his aura by her silly sbs crap