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Rama and Ayodhya
This work briefly examines the antiquity of the Rama Katha and spread of the Rama cult over the Indian subcontinent in the context of claims of Left academics on its late popularity. Its main focus is the conflict at Ayodhya over the Ramjanmabhumi temple allegedly destroyed by the Mughal Emperor, Babar, in 1528. It examines the accounts of foreign travelers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and eighteenth centuries, and British administrator-scholars in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries which testify to Ayodhya’s continuing importance as a pilgrimage centre associated with Rama’s birthplace. The extended litigation over the Ramajanmabhumi/ Babri Masjid in colonial times further attests to the persistence of the claims to the Janmabhumi.
From the late 1980s, Left historians have been in the forefront of the campaign against the Rama temple. They have argued that Rama worship was an eighteenth nineteenth century phenomenon and the present day Ayodhya acquired its standing and identity only in the fifth century AD, during the rule of the imperial Guptas. According to Left academics, the identification of the Ramjanmabhumi in Ayodha was a matter of faith, not of historical evidence. They also rejected any possibility of the Babri Masjid being built on the site of the Janmabhumi temple.
Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proved the inaccuracy of these assertions. And finally, the judgment of the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) marked adecisive moment in the dispute over the Janmabhumi. The writings of Life academics, the findings of the ASI, the extended arguments in the Allahabad High Court and its eventual verdict-all from the subject of this study.
From the late 1980s, Left historians have been in the forefront of the campaign against the Rama temple. They have argued that Rama worship was an eighteenth nineteenth century phenomenon and the present day Ayodhya acquired its standing and identity only in the fifth century AD, during the rule of the imperial Guptas. According to Left academics, the identification of the Ramjanmabhumi in Ayodha was a matter of faith, not of historical evidence. They also rejected any possibility of the Babri Masjid being built on the site of the Janmabhumi temple.
Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) proved the inaccuracy of these assertions. And finally, the judgment of the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) marked adecisive moment in the dispute over the Janmabhumi. The writings of Life academics, the findings of the ASI, the extended arguments in the Allahabad High Court and its eventual verdict-all from the subject of this study.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2013
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About the author
Meenakshi Jain
35 books206 followersMeenakshi Jain is an associate professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi. She was Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Teen Murti. Her recent works include Parallel Pathways. Essays on Hindu-Muslim Relations (1707-1857). She is the co-author of The Rajah Moonje Pact. Documents on a Forgotten Chapter of Indian History.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 2, 2020
A comprehensive and thorough account of Ayodhya and Rama that is based on primary sources. The first half of the book deals with the antiquity and widespread popularity of Ramayana and Rama worship as an Avatar of Vishnu and the antiquity of Ayodhya as one of the oldest and most sacred Tirtha's and a seat of Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain learning in India. Through literary, sculptural and epigraphical evidence she establishes how popular Ramayana has been since many centuries before Christ.
The second half of the book deals with the history of the conflict at Ayodhya, starting from when the temple was destroyed and a mosque was built on top of it by Babur and an account of all the recorded history of major events and conflicts at the Janmasthal until the present time. We are given an account of the extensive amount of archaeological evidence that has been unearthed form the site pointing to continuous occupation of the site and the presence of multiple temples beneath.
But the most interesting part of the book is where we learn about how the "left historians" behaved throughout this episode. Can we even call them historians after their display of such dishonesty, a strong commitment to their ideology, and a complete lack of integrity to scholarship? Throughout the whole conflict, this cabal consisting of illustrious names like Irfan Habib, RS Sharma, DN Jha, Romila Thapar etc behaved more like politicians that are so committed to an ideology and a preformed opinion that facts and evidence have become simple inconveniences that needed to be brushed aside. I don't know whether to be sad or laugh at the self-contradictory, incoherent and confusing statements these "professional historians" were giving in the courts. How can some people who call themselves historians and are associated with prestigious universities give statements like "Prithvi Raj Chouhan was king of Ghazni"...? And Irfan Habib of AMU in particular comes off as someone who is completely out of touch with the reality. His vehement denials, coming up with conspiracy theories and going off on personal attacks on everyone he disagrees with is just laughable.
I hope that the stranglehold of these "leftist intellectuals" on Indian academia is now coming to an end.
The second half of the book deals with the history of the conflict at Ayodhya, starting from when the temple was destroyed and a mosque was built on top of it by Babur and an account of all the recorded history of major events and conflicts at the Janmasthal until the present time. We are given an account of the extensive amount of archaeological evidence that has been unearthed form the site pointing to continuous occupation of the site and the presence of multiple temples beneath.
But the most interesting part of the book is where we learn about how the "left historians" behaved throughout this episode. Can we even call them historians after their display of such dishonesty, a strong commitment to their ideology, and a complete lack of integrity to scholarship? Throughout the whole conflict, this cabal consisting of illustrious names like Irfan Habib, RS Sharma, DN Jha, Romila Thapar etc behaved more like politicians that are so committed to an ideology and a preformed opinion that facts and evidence have become simple inconveniences that needed to be brushed aside. I don't know whether to be sad or laugh at the self-contradictory, incoherent and confusing statements these "professional historians" were giving in the courts. How can some people who call themselves historians and are associated with prestigious universities give statements like "Prithvi Raj Chouhan was king of Ghazni"...? And Irfan Habib of AMU in particular comes off as someone who is completely out of touch with the reality. His vehement denials, coming up with conspiracy theories and going off on personal attacks on everyone he disagrees with is just laughable.
I hope that the stranglehold of these "leftist intellectuals" on Indian academia is now coming to an end.
September 2, 2020
One of those books which show lot of evidences and proof that Ram Mandir does exist in Ram Janmabhoomi. You can see the amount of history these leftist historians have distorted by telling lies about Ram Janmabhoomi. Comprehensive, informative and thorough and best book on Ayodhya and Rama janma bhoomi issue. This history was hidden from the general public since long by the left historians. These Marxists are the one who are disrupting the harmony of Hinduism and Muslim. If you want to know the truth listen to the Indian archaeologist k.k. mohammed in YouTube regarding Ram Janmabhoomi.
Watch this youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pinIM...
And read this brilliant article written by Sandeep Balakrishna.
How the Secular Historians Transformed Punyabhumi Ayodhya into an International Crime Scene and Got Away With it.
https://dharmadispatch.in/how-the-sec...
Watch this youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pinIM...
And read this brilliant article written by Sandeep Balakrishna.
How the Secular Historians Transformed Punyabhumi Ayodhya into an International Crime Scene and Got Away With it.
https://dharmadispatch.in/how-the-sec...
July 3, 2019
Very informative, research and scholarly work done by Meenakshi Jain. Book present great account of archaeological evidences. This book is brilliant work on the Rama janma Bhoomi issue. And you can see how leftist historians make a fool out of us. Book has a lot of references, quotes from judgments and primary sources of information.
Great read.
Everyone should read it.
Great read.
Everyone should read it.
July 6, 2024
Detailed Review - https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/rama-an...
September 17, 2023
Amazing.
A comprehensive account of the history of Ayodhya conflict and how it has happened since centuries till 2010.
Author has done a great work to show what value Shri Ram holds across the length and breadth of India. Value not only in faith but also in stories, Literature, Sculpture, Epigraphy and Religions.
Plus author has shed great light on the details of cases which happened in 1800 w.r.t to Ayodhya and how Britishers handled it.
It is great to see that someone has pointed out the malicious role played by Leftists Historians by creating fiction to deny the Hindus their rights and promote enmity between the Hindus and Muslims. I am pretty much sure that if Leftists Historians wouldn't have intervened, a peaceful solution would have got worked out between the communities in 1980s itself.
This is a must read for those who wish to understand the history of Ayodhya and how leftists ideology works to destroy Hinduism and India.
A comprehensive account of the history of Ayodhya conflict and how it has happened since centuries till 2010.
Author has done a great work to show what value Shri Ram holds across the length and breadth of India. Value not only in faith but also in stories, Literature, Sculpture, Epigraphy and Religions.
Plus author has shed great light on the details of cases which happened in 1800 w.r.t to Ayodhya and how Britishers handled it.
It is great to see that someone has pointed out the malicious role played by Leftists Historians by creating fiction to deny the Hindus their rights and promote enmity between the Hindus and Muslims. I am pretty much sure that if Leftists Historians wouldn't have intervened, a peaceful solution would have got worked out between the communities in 1980s itself.
This is a must read for those who wish to understand the history of Ayodhya and how leftists ideology works to destroy Hinduism and India.
February 25, 2024
It's a must-read book to understand the history of the Ram Janmabhoomi case. The book starts with Rama worship's literary, sculptural, and epigraphic history, even among Jain and Buddhist communities. A riveting exploration ensues, tracing the rich history of Ayodhya from the era of Rama to the contemporary milieu, offering a captivating narrative of how sacred sites and deities endured during oppressive non-Hindu rule.
The book dives into the core of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, particularly the role of Marxist historians in ensuring that a peaceful settlement is never arrived at. From trying to create confusion on the birthplace to passing off opinions as evidence (brutally exposed in courts) and from rejecting scientific evidence as "planted/smuggled, created, not exclusive to Hindus" to tabling the most absurd theories to negate the Hindu community's rights. The book is a testament to Jain's confidence, dedicating ample space to the arguments of pro-Babri Marxist historians and juxtaposing them with the court's reactions.
Some of the most interesting parts I found were the role of Marathas and Sawai Jai Singh of Amer to restore Hindu temples and improve the conditions of the Hindu community amid Muslim rule. Our history textbooks don't talk about him at all. The exploration of the judicial approach to Hindu deities and sacred spaces is equally intriguing, provoking profound contemplation.
'Rama & Ayodhya' goes beyond mere history; it's a captivating journey inviting readers to explore India's rich cultural heritage and uncover its nuanced layers.
The book dives into the core of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, particularly the role of Marxist historians in ensuring that a peaceful settlement is never arrived at. From trying to create confusion on the birthplace to passing off opinions as evidence (brutally exposed in courts) and from rejecting scientific evidence as "planted/smuggled, created, not exclusive to Hindus" to tabling the most absurd theories to negate the Hindu community's rights. The book is a testament to Jain's confidence, dedicating ample space to the arguments of pro-Babri Marxist historians and juxtaposing them with the court's reactions.
Some of the most interesting parts I found were the role of Marathas and Sawai Jai Singh of Amer to restore Hindu temples and improve the conditions of the Hindu community amid Muslim rule. Our history textbooks don't talk about him at all. The exploration of the judicial approach to Hindu deities and sacred spaces is equally intriguing, provoking profound contemplation.
'Rama & Ayodhya' goes beyond mere history; it's a captivating journey inviting readers to explore India's rich cultural heritage and uncover its nuanced layers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews