Saturday, March 22, 2008

Government funds for memorials of Islamic invaders: Hindu warriors ignored



The Government has granted Rs. 25 lakhs for the repair and maintenance of the grave of Ibrahim Lodi, while the memorial to Hemu – the Hindu warrior who challenged Akbar – has been encroached by a mosque.
Who is Ibrahim Lodi? He is the invader who attacked Mewar and was defeated by Rana Sanga. His father Sikander Lodi prohibited Hindus from bathing in the holy tank in Kurukshetra and desecrated the Jwalamukhi temple in Himachal. He executed Bodhan Pandit for saying all religions are equal. His grandfather, Bahol Lodi, came from Afghanistan and exploited the political turmoil in India and through manipulation occupied the Delhi throne. Yet the Government has granted Rs. 25 lakhs for the repair and maintenance of the grave of the invader’s grandson, a monument to our slavish mentality.
The burial of Ibrahim Lodi, killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat, is protected while mosque has overtaken the memorial to Hemu, challenger of Akbar in the second battle of Panipal”.
“Hemu” refers to Hem Chander of Rewari, Haryana, a valiant warrior who fought 22 battles and won all, and acquired the title of Vikramaditya in a coronation ceremony held in Purana Kila, Delhi. He fought against Akbar who was also involved in various battles against Maharana Praap. Akbar’s father Humayun was fleeing India when he took shelter in a fort, Amar Kot in Sindh owned by Rana Amarchand; there his wife gave birth to Akbar. Humayun’s father, Babur, was from Afghanistan. Akbar’s guardian, Bairam Khan, brought Hema Chander to Akber after the second battle of Panipat and goaded Akbar to behead the infidel Hema Chander with his sword to earn the title ‘Ghazi’. Hem Chander’s head was taken to Kabul and his trunk gibbeted at the gates of Delhi.
Hemu is recorded as the last Hindu king of Delhi as the power passed on to Mughals and then to the British. It is sad that India is building memorials to the invaders Ibrahim Lodi, Babur, and Akbar, and ignoring our valiant sons who fought to defend our territory and civilization.
In the Third battle of Panipat, Sadashiv Bhau lost to the brutal Ahmed Shah Abdali. Yet there is no worthy memorial, commemorating the young Sadashiv Bhau nor is Hema Chander Vikramaditya acknowledged with respect.
Even more deplorable is the news that the Prime Minister visited the Baghe Babur complex in Kabur, which houses the tomb and mosque of Mughal ruler Babur, and was said to see its dilapidated condition. Babur died in Agra in 1530, but his mortal remains were sent to his “beloved Kabul” in 1543 as per his will.
It is pertinent that all foreign conquerors from Alexander onwards, Greeks, Turks, Mughals, Portugese, British, French and Dutch, were rightly designated as invaders by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. Yet we are honoring foreign invaders and denigrating our own heroes. Roads and hotels are named after Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir and even Aurangazeb; few are aware of Indian martyrs like Hema Chander Vikramaditya and Sadashiv Bhau. This attitude reflects a loss of national consciousness and self-respect.
Recently, some British nationals visited Meerut to pay homage to their forefathers who won the 1857 war for the British Empire. China on the other hand made Japan offer a public apology for atrocities committed by Japanese troops in the Second World War.
It would be in the fitness of things for civil society to come forward and build memorials to honour the valiant warriors who gave their lives for our country and civilization. It is time for the youth to rise and initiate a campaign to revive the spirit of national self-respect and confer due recognition and honour to our national heroes.

3 comments:

India Mahesh said...

Very true. How inspiring also at the same time.

Unknown said...

Has off to the great kpngs and I wish I could fight for their rights

Anonymous said...

Good propaganda, I really appreciate the way Mr Kamat manipulates things. Great.