These North Indians think they have culture because they go to Lucknow for Urdu poetry. Such fetishes are colourful, but India’s real culture is preserved in the south. Meaning, the cradle of our civilization was invaded and occupied by foreigners for so long, its essence was lost. But the history of India is not the history of Delhi. The Mughals did not have the same control down here; we had Hindu kings ruling us right until the British. That is why we have confidence in ourselves. And the reform movements, like women’s rights and anti-caste, took off here, while the north is still feudal
...more
