Works of Rabindranath Tagore (From Guttenberg.org)

The Guttenberg.org has nearly 16000 books in digital form readily available on their site. There are many such books, which can be used as original sources in order to write an article.

There are many books which are related to Indian history and Indian people. There are books by Indian authors also.

I desire to read them all on line. However, the collection is so vast that there can be such books which one like to read but due to a big bank of books one may not find time or locate the book which one likes to read first. No doubt, the Guttenberg project has given good index and there is no need of assistance from any one to access those books. However, I am going to collect links of some selected books on this blog so that I may directly use the links whenever I come online. No doubt, such a selection will be guided by my interest and taste.

Hence, I desire to get the list of such selective titles which I want to read and which can be picked as per the desire expressed above.

Here I bring the list of the books by Guruji Rabindranath Tagore. These are the original works of Guruji. Guruji himself translates many of them. However, some of them are translated by others. What can be a better selection than this to begin with!

I have given HTML links wherever they were available at the time when I accessed the Guttenberg.org.


Works of Rabindranath Tagore:

1. Chitra-a play in One act: Chitra – a play in one act: A drama based on Mahabharta
   E-Text No: 2502:
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/chitr10.txt
   The Crescent Moon: The Crescent Moon: Poems
   EText No: 6520
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/cmoon10.txt
2. 
   Fruit Gathering: Fruit Gathering: Poems
   EText no: 6522
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/fruit10h.htm
   
3. The Fugitive: The Fugitive: Poems
   EText no:7971
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/tfgtv10.txt
   
4. The Gardner: The Gardner : Lyrics which also form the part of Gitanjali
   EText No:6686
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/thgnr10.txt
   
5. Gitanjali: Gitanjali: Poems for which Guruji was given Noble Prize in Literature: The Gitanjali or 'song offerings' by Rabindranath Tagore (1861--1941), Nobel prize for literature 1913, with an introduction by William B. Yeats (1865--1939), Nobel prize for literature 1923. First published in 1913. (Quoted from Gutenberg site.)
   EText No: 7164
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/gitnj10.txt
   
6. Glimpses of Bengal Selected letters of Sir Rabindranath Tagore : Glimpses of Bengal Selected letters of Sir Rabindranath Tagore
   EText No: 7951
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/7gbng10.txt
   
7. The Home and the World : The Home and the World
   EText No:7166
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/7wrld10.txt
   
8. The Hungary Stone and other Stories: (It contains the famous Kabuliwala Story.): The Hungary Stone and other Stories
   EText No: 2518
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/hngst10.txt
   
9. The King of Dark Chambers : The King of Dark Chambers: A Play
   EText No:6521
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kdkch10h.htm
   
10. The Post Office: The Post Office : A Complete Drama
    EText No:6523
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kdkch10h.htm
    
11. Sadhana:The Realization of Life: Sadhana:The Realization of Life
    EText No:6842
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/sdhna10.txt
    
12. Songs of Kabir: Songs of Kabir
    EText No:6519
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kabir10.txt
    
13. Stray Birds: Stray Birds
    EText No:6524
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kabir10.txt
    

The Real Authors of Annexation

आर० सी० मजुमदार ने British Paramountancy में Doctrine of Lapse पर जिस बात का खुलासा किया है वह यह है कि इस सिद्धान्त को पूरी तरह डलहोज़ी पर मडना ठीक नहीं होगा । इस सिद्धान्त को लागु करने पर जो बात मुख्य रुप से घटित हो रही थी वो यह थी कि कम्पनी का सीमा क्षेत्र बड रहा था । भारतिय राज्यों को बङी तेजी से नष्ट कर के उन के क्षेत्रों को कम्पनी राज का क्षेत्र घोषित किया जा रहा था ।

अब प्रश्न यह उठता है कि अगर कम्पनी का क्षेत्र बङ रहा था तो इस से डल्होज़ी को कोई खास फायदा हो रहा था या फिर हर हाल में कम्पनी को तो फायदा हो ही रहा था ।

यहां पर एक बात पर ध्यान देना ज़रुरी है और वह यह है कि यह सिद्धान्त १८५० में लागु हुआ और उस समय तक कम्पनी पुरी तरह पिट चुकी थी । कम्पनी घाटे पर जा रही थी । हिस्सेदारों को काफि समय से लाभान्श नहीं मिल रहा था । कम्पनी का कई व्यापारिक क्षेत्रों पर एकाधिकार खत्म हो चुका था । यहां तक कि कम्पनी के पास कोई एकाधिकार रह ही नहीं गया था । कम्पनी के मुकाबले में कई बरतानवी व्यापरी व्यापार कर रहे थे । १८५३ में चार्टर एक्ट में यह स्पष्ट व्यवस्था कर दी गई थी कि कम्पनी अपने कर्जदारों को जल्द से जल्द अदायगी करेगी एंव कम्पनी को बन्द करने की प्रक्रिया की शरुआत की जाऐगी । यहां तक की चार्टर में यह तक भी अकिंत नहीं किया गया था कि कम्पनी को और कितने सालों तक बने रहने कि अनुमति दी गई थी ।

इन सब बातों को ध्यान में रख कर अगर इस तथ्य की समीक्षा की जाए कि कम्पनी धङा धङ अपने क्षेत्र बढाए जा रही थी तो यह प्रशन सभाविक हि उठ खङा होता है कि वह ऐसा किस लिए कर रही थी । इस बात को दूसरे शब्दों में भी पूछा जा सकता कि ऐसे हालातों में डल्होज़ी को क्या ज़रुरत पङी थी कि वह कम्पनी का क्षेत्रफल बढाए जा रहा था जब कि कम्पनी को बन्द करने के स्पष्ट संकेत आरहे थे । यह भी ध्यान देने योग्य बात है कि वो जिस भी क्षेत्र का विलय करता था उस की मन्जुरी उसे बोर्ड आँफ ड्रायक्टर्स से लेनी पङती थी और उसे वह मन्जुरी असानी से मिल भी जाती थी ।

इन सारी बातों की समीक्षा करते हुए मजुमदार यह तर्क देता है कि विलय की नीति डल्होज़ी पर नहीं मङी जानी चाहिए । यह ठीक है कि यह सारा काम डल्होज़ी के हाथों हुआ और डल्होज़ी ने भी कोई कसर नहीं छोडी । उस ने तो बडी शान से हर एक विलय को अपने नाम पर गङते हुए इस बात का गर्व किया कि उस ने यह सब किया । मजुमदार ने स्पष्ट किया है कि उस के इस खेल में बोर्ड आँफ कन्ट्रोल पूरा पूरा भागिदार था । बोर्ड आँफ कन्ट्रोल के ही ईशारे पर डल्होज़ी यह हौंसला कर सका । क्योंकि बोर्ड आँफ कन्ट्रोल का ईशारा था तो हि बोर्ड आँफ ड्रायक्टर्स से मन्जुरी मिलती गई । ड्रायक्टर्स तो यह जानते थे कि अब उन की कम्पनी तो रद्ध होने वाली है और जो कुछ भी कम्पनी हिन्दुस्तान में बनाए बैठी है उस सब की जिम्मेवारी ब्रिटिश सरकार ही ले सकती है एंव लेने वाली है क्योंकि कम्पनी तो बुरी तरह पिट चुकी थी । अगर सरकार कि ओर से ईशारा है तो उन्हें क्या दिक्कत हो सकती थी । और ऐसा हि हो रहा था ।

अतः विलय की नीति के कर्त्ताधर्त्ता ब्रिटिश सरकार खुद हि थी । कम्पनी या डल्होज़ी का नाम तो अपने पाप छुपाने के लिए किया गया एंव अपने कार्य को न्यायिक दिखाने के लिए किया गया ।

विलय की नीति के मुख्य कर्त्ताधर्ता

Comprehensive Study of India – Federal Research Division of U.S.

One should visit the following link.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html

It is online documents of the Library of Congress of United States of America. In the header of the site, it is written thus, " Customized Research and Analytical services serving the U. S. government since 1948" (Starting of Cold War period). (Italized comment is by the blogger).


There are ten chapters which cover the details about India from the earliest time to the present day. In the earlier chapter, the history of India is discussed in its outline. The elucidation is quite comprehensive. A person who wants a bird eye view of the whole history of India from the earliest time to the present, may find satisfied with the contents of the history portion.


For the General Studies, the candidate, who does not have history as his option, can study from here and make a good essay which may help in many possible questions in General Studies Prelims. The history is discussed in Chapter number one but covers all the main milestones (Chapter of Indian History) in history of India.

Chapter 2 is on the geography of India.


Chapter 4 is on languages, ethnicity and regionalism. The contents give the basic structure on which the personal notes can be further developed.


Chapter 5 discusses the sociological framework of the country.


Chapter 6 is on character and structure of Economy.


Chapter 8 is on Government and politics.


Chapter 9 is on foreign policy of India.


One of the most fascinating section is Bibliography. The students who are preparing from civil services may find this section very useful. The students who are interested in overall study may also find the bibliography quite interesting and useful. One can just judge the approach of getting the information about a country by another foreign country when one finds that the titles of class tenth and twelfth published by NCERT are included in the list.


The bibliography is very comprehensive and corresponding to the chapterization which has been done while given the details of various aspects of the country. But on the whole, it turns up as one single place to decide which book can be picked to study various aspects of the country. When one considers the gernalized outline of the syllabus of General study, the given chapterization and sub headings and then books on them can give a well defined idea and plan to a candidate to how to organise one’s study for the examination.


The students of political science and journalism subject must read the history of the division on the home page of the site.

Doctrine of Lapse - A Cause of Uprising of 1857 - A New Aspect

लैप्स का सिधान्त - १८५७ के गदर का कारण: एक नया पक्ष:-


लैप्स का सिद्धान्त १८५७ के विद्रोह का कारण तो था हि पर इस सिद्धान्त को लागु करते समय जो कार्यवाई की जाती थी वह इस सिद्धान्त के विरुद्ध विद्रोह का ज्यादा प्रभावकारी क़ारण बनी । यह एक ऐसा पक्ष है जिन्हें किताबों में ज्यादा उजागर नहीं किया गया है।

लैप्स के सिद्धान्त के अधार पर अंग्रेजों ने नागपुर को अपने कब्जे में कर लिया था । इस के बाद उन्होंने भोंसले परिवार की सम्पति जब्त कर के उसे बेचने का प्रोग्राम बनाया । महल के पशु, घोडे एंव हाथी नागपुर के पास जानवर मण्डी में ओनेपोने दामों में बेच दिए गए । महल के जेवराहत कौलकत्ता में निलामी के लिए भेज दिए गए । वहां निलामी इस प्रकार से करवाई गई कि वहां अभुषण कम दामों में बिके । इस के बाद महल का फर्निचर बेचने का प्रोग्राम बनाया गया । यह सारी गतिविधियां भौंसले परिवार के लिए अति अपमानजनक थीं । महल की वृध राजरानियां बहुत क्षुब्ध एंव भडकी हुईं थीं । इस से जनता जिन के मन में राजमहिल की वृध महिलायों के लिए बहुत आदर था, वह भी भडक उठे । उन का यह अन्जाम दुसरे राज परिवार वाले भी देख रहे थे । उन्हें भौंसले परिवार की रानियों की अपमानजनक स्थिति में अपने से भविष्य में हो सकने वाली दुरदशा की झलक दिखाई दे रही थी ।

लैप्स का सिद्धान्त तो एक कानुनी मुद्दा था । यह सिद्धान्त तो विद्रोह का कारण बना ही बना पर इस के साथ जो लूटखसोट प्रशासनिक पर उपयोगवहिन एंव अन्यायिक कार्यवाइयां की गई वह खुद में विद्रोह भडकाने के लिए काफि थीं । इस बात को आर० सी० मजुमदार ने सफलता पूर्वक उजागर किया है परन्तु प्रचलित इतिहास की किताबों में इस बात को अच्छे से उभारा नहीं गया है ।

Indologists

Sir Charles Wilkins in 1785 presented the translation of Bahavadgita (included in the eighteenth chapter of Mahabharata, most probably in the fourth century); translation of Hitopodesa in 1787 and Grammar of Sanskrit Language.

Sir William Jones tranlsated Kalidasa’s Sakuntala in 1789, Gitagovinda in 1789, Manusamhita in 1794 and edited Ritusamhara in 1792. In case of Persian literature, Sir William Jones translated Laila Majnu.

Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke translated Vivadadhangarnava of Jagannath Tarkapanchanan under the title of Digest of Hindu Law on Contracts and Succession in 1798. It is a book which well read lawyers still use in courts for their pleading and has force of evidence in many judgements. In 1808, Colebrooke published Amarakosha, a Sanskrit dictionary of Gupta period.

H. H. Wilson published Kalidasa’s Meghaduta in 1813. He published Kalhana’s Rajatarangani in 1825. Rajatarangani, is considered as the first historic book of India produced in the twelfth century. It is the history of Kashmir up to the rule of Varmans. It was after this period, that the Islamic rule was established in Kashmir which contradicts the claims of the JKLF, a separatist movement of Kashmir. Wilson also arranged the translation of eighteen Puranas into English during his secretary tenure of the Asiatic socieyt from 1811 to 1833.


Sir John Shore, who had contended the legal basis of Permanent Settlement of Cornwallis, published an English translation of Yoga Vasistha by Ptanjali from a Persian version produced by Dara Shikoh, son of Shahjahan and elder brother of Aurangzeb.

In 1814, the Asiatic Soceity started a public Museum. With in its first thirty years of its existence, it brought before the public, William Jone’s Third Annual Discourse in 1788 on Indo-Euroepan Language and Culture; Charles Wilkins’s :A Royal Grant of Land on a Copper Plate of 1788; S. Davis’s: On Astronomical Calculations of the Hindus in 1795; H. T. Colebrooke’s: On Vedas in 1805; J Malcom’s : Sketch of the Sikhs in 1810; F. Wilford’s: On On the Ancients Geography of India in 1815 and E Strachey’s: On Early History of Algebra in 1816.

Charles Wilkins (1770), Nathaniel Brassey Halhed (1772) and Jonathan Duncan (1772) were highly acclaimed indologist of eighteenth century who had worked even before William Jones.

August Wilhelm von Schlegal was appointed the first professor of Sanskrit in the Bonn University of Germany in 1817.

Friedrich Schlegel (Brother of August Wilhelm von Schlegal) wrote " Upon the Languages and Wisdom of the Hindus" in 1807.

Hern Wilhelm von Humboldt along with August Wilhelm von Schlegal edited an edition of Bhagvat Gita.

Arthur Schopenhauer was the great admirer of Sanskrit literature and Vedic wisdom.

French writer Anquetil du Perron wrote the Latin translation of Sirre Akbar which was a Persian translation of Upnishads prepared by Dara Shikoh

Prof. Winternitz was also a known admirer of Indian literature.

Dr. Spiegel was highly appreciative of the Indian and Persian literature.

Eugene Burnouf occupied the chair of Professor of Sanskrit in France from 1800 to 1838. He was the indologist with whom the names of two famous indologist, namely Roth and Max Muller, (Both Germans) are associated. Rudolph Roth and Muller were students of Burnouf.

Rudolph Roth wrote his thesis 'Zur Literatur und Geschichte des Veda". In 1851, he also wrote an edition of Nirukta of Yaska. However, the German scholar was more appreciative of German knowledge of philology and underrated the value of Nirukta in understanding the Vedas.


In 1832, Horace Hayman Wilson became the Boden Professor of Sanskrit in the Oxford University. He had written 'The Religious and Philosophical System of the Hindus".

Prof. M. Monier-Williams succeeded H. H. Wilson on the chair of Boden in Oxford University. He wrote 'The Study of Sanskrit in Relation to Missionary work in India' (1861 A.D. London).


John Muir was another important Sanskrit scholar and indologist. However, he was highly critical of Hindu religion.

The French scholar Louis Jacolliot, Chief Judge in Chandranagar, wrote a book called 'La Bible dans l'Inde' in 1868. Next year an English translation of it was also published. In this work, he showed his great admiration for Bhagvatgita.

Albert Weber was another German scholar of Sanskrit. However, he did not rate Sanskrit literature of highest standard. There were other two scholars who supported his work and they were Lorinser and E. Washburn Hopkin. Lorinser and Hopkin were also Sanskrit scholars.

Weber and Boehtlingk prepared a dictionary of the Sanskrit language called the 'Sanskrit Worterbuch’. They were assisted by Prof. Kuhn.

Prof. Goldstucker was another German scholar of Sanskrit who was great admirer of Sanskrit literature and Indian philosophy.

Rudolf Hoernle was the Principal of Queen's College, Banaras, in Samvat 1874. He had met Swami Dayananda Saraswati. He was also a Sanskrit Scholar but highly critical of Swami Dayananda Sarawati and his work to uplift the Hindus.

RICHARD von GARBE was another German scholar of Sanskrit. He wrote 'Indien und das Christentum'. He also wrote, Akbar, the Emperor of India. However, he was highly biased against the Hindu religion and ethics.

Prof. Winternitz was established Sanskrit scholar of twentieth century. However, he was highly critical of Schopenhauer who was a great admirer of Sanskrit literature and philosophy.

Prof. McKenzie from Bombay was another leading Sanskrit scholar and indologist of his time.

_____

Sources:

Western Indologists by Purohit Bhagvan Dutt

Asiatic Society Calcutta

Work of “Mild Orientalism” in Asia, Crown: Asiatic Society/Fort William Options

World History Blog: The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota

On the World History blog of Miland Brown, the link to The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota has been given. The site provides with an exhibition of original material and bibliography of that period.

I have read about it but never knew that what strong feelings it evokes in some European countries. In some countries like Canada there seems to be some laws in force barring you to undertake some discussion about the nature and actual happening of that period or to talk about happenings in the Nazi Camp. I also learned about a contention against those scholars who are termed as revisionists. There had taken place in the early part of this year when sixty years had completed and it was being remembered by the survivors of that unsavory act of human cruelty, a discussion at education forum. It was started by another American Scholar Shanet Clark. It was a response to one of a member who had tried to divert the discussion on JFK debate to Anti-Jew discussions. That discussion may also prove a substantiative source to the contents of the site identified by Brown. Another substantiative debate is being started at their subforum at Nazi Germany.

The History of Pelopennesian War by Thucydides

While talking of history, I always bring into my exposition the historiography, method of research in history and inferences in history. Invariably, the talk includes the name of the father of history Thucydides.

I am always in lookout for books on the theory of history, philosophical expositions while talking about history and the meaning and benefits of reading history. However, once I was stunned and rendered speechless when I came across a query that whether I have read the original work of Thucydides. I never remember the name of the work of Thucydides. Well it is "The History of the Peloponnesian War".

On Guttenberg.org, the translation of The History Pelopennesian War is given. It has been translated by Richard Crawley. The original work is identified to have been written in 431 B. C.

AKBAR by DR. RICHARD VON GARBE

The Guttenberg.org has nearly 16000 books in digital form readily available on their site. There many such books, which can be used as original sources in order to write an article. Here, a detail of one such book is provided.


AKBAR, EMPEROR OF INDIA A Picture of Life and Customs from the Sixteenth Century
by DR. RICHARD VON GARBE
Rector of the University of Tubingen
Translated from the German by Lydia G. Robinson
Reprinted From "The Monist" Of April, 1909 Chicago
The Open Court Publishing Company 1909
Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14134/14134-8.txt
EText-No. 14134

A Comment:
The important feature of this book for me is that the book begins with that proverbial bias and version about Indian history that the sources on Indian history are not available.

Secondly, this book was published in 1909. The important aspect is that it was written in Germany. At that time, the international situation was such that the world had been divided into two camps. Britain was ruling over India. Germany had acquired aggressive postures. Therefore, it is fascinating to learn now that at that Germany was trying to study the history of a country which was under the control of Britain.


The third important feature is to read about those aspect of Akbar’s personalities which had been emphasised by Dr. Richard von Garbe. They make interesting reading. The author first emphasis a personality trait of Akbar by quoting one incidence from his life then give justification that why he was doing that.

The fourth feature which is worth noting is the refrences which the author had used. They are leading British Indian History Scholars who have intensively quoted the Indian sources in their original works. I am referring to Elphinston.

The ABOLITIONIST by J. F. Hume

The Guttenberg.org has nearly 16000 books in digital form readily available on their site.

There many such books, which can be used as original sources in order to write an article.

Here, a detail of one such book is provided.


The AbolitionistsTogether With Personal Memories Of The Struggle For Human Rights
BY JOHN F. HUME

G.P. PUTNAM'S SONS NEW YORK AND LONDON The Knickerbocker press 1905
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I.--THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE ABOLITIONISTS 1
II.--THE ABOLITIONISTS--WHO AND WHAT THEY WERE 15
III.--ONE OF THEIR TRAITS 26 IV.--PRO-SLAVERY PREJUDICE 30
V.--THE POLITICAL SITUATION 41
VI.--ANTI-SLAVERY PIONEERS 49
VII.--SALMON PORTLAND CHASE 59
VIII.--JOHN QUINCY ADAMS 67
IX.--ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETIES 72
X.--WANTED, AN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY 79
XI.--ANTI-SLAVERY ORATORS 88
XII.--LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS 94
XIII.--ANTI-SLAVERY WOMEN 100
XIV.--MOBS 108
XV.--ANTI-SLAVERY MARTYRS 113
XVI.--THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 121
XVII.--COLONIZATION 128
XVIII.--LINCOLN AND EMANCIPATION 136
XIX.--THE END OF ABOLITIONISM 150
XX.--MISSOURI 157 XXI.--MISSOURI _(Continued)_ 174
XXII.--SOME ABOLITION LEADERS 186
XXIII.--ROLLS OF HONOR 201
APPENDIX
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION 211
BORDER SLAVE-STATE MESSAGE 213
"PRAYER OF TWENTY MILLIONS" 214
INDEX 217

Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13176/13176-8.txt

EText – No. 13176 (This number is useful to use main search option on the main search page of the Gutenberg Project Portal.)

A Counter to the Nonsense

Miland Brown has made the following comment on his post The Napoleonic Revolution and I quote, "I always like it when professors put there (their) lectures online. It is such a great counter to much of the nonsense which passes as history online."


The comment has a bigger meaning and may materialize sometime in future. It may not be surprising that many pundits in the field of communication and education may read this comment but care little about the actual import of this comment and move on with their activity without getting hooked to this comment.


The internet and its future modification in form of availability of text, audio messages, video messages, graphics, simulation and animations on hand held devices like cell phones, or a futuristic device which may become more interactive by becoming sensitive to input commands like touch, voice, or even just a look at a thing on a screen just in order to activate the commands hidden behind them, is already taking into a world wherein new beyond-imagination activities would take place.


However, before that, the situation at present is that one has to put it on the web the information which can be sought by someone on the other side.


There is general mythical belief that everything is available on Internet. How far is it true that everything or all the information and thing available on Internet? No, it is not like that. For anything information to become available to the user of Internet, the most important thing is that someone should first put it on the Internet. Now this factor, "someone", is the most crucial factor at present.


This "someone" is not some thing new. It has been there since long, dominating all the media which somewhere I feel is decisive in outlining the perspective and opinion of the common man. The general held perspective and opinion about ones own surrounding decides you consciousness about yourself and your surroundings. This collective consciousness is your history, but in your present, it becomes the vital core of your being alive in present and actions which you take that effects your future.


The need is that the actual pundits for their corresponding epistemology should come forward to put their paradigm on the Internet. But they are not coming. No doubt, lot of nonsense is available on Internet. There is no counter that. The people, who can counter them, they do not do that. May be, putting information and paradigm on Internet is still a futuristic thing to happen. May be, they are too busy. May be a new set of ethics are required in the field of knowledge and more effective activity. May be, there is need to attach some monetary value to the activity which can become an incentive for the required pundits to bring their knowledge on the internet and everybody can access it without paying directly to the pundit.


An issue, which does not seem to have attracted the attention is that what type of information generally available on the Internet. The information is given by the political authorities or the government. The information is given with an idea to make some deal or result into monetary gain. Now these factor of monetary gain are based on ones own perspective of making a business and deal out of a general activity. However, there is no information of a category which is gained only by spending much on research and development. There are addresses of such organisations which give such information but they remain short of providing you information about the latest findings and future implications of those findings.


However, there are many pundits or professors, who can tell so much to the people. There is need that they may also come and play this role.

_______

Note:

A copy has also been posted on sumirsharma.blogspot.com. The contents also have relevance for that blog.

A Colonial Interpretation Requires A Review

There is a report of May 29, 2003, by PTI and covered by The Hindu and The Tribune.

The title of the report is "U.S. Adopts Catamaran Technology". The other report is titled "USA adapts Tamil technology to build warships."

The report suggests an Indian connection in the making of the warships which were used during the Iraq war.

The technology helped in ferrying ammunition, soldiers and war machinery in large quantity at a higher speed. It is also useful for harbouring at rudimentary ports.

The word catamaran comes from Tamil word kattumaram which means logs bound together. The type of ships were used by Paravas caste of Tamil Nadu. A. X. Alexander the ex-DGP of Tamil Nadu was from this caste. (Reference: www.worldhistory.com)

The issue here is not to highlight the glorious Indian past and show that every best idea has its origin in Indian. (Do the cheap habits, virtues and ethics have Indian origin?)

The issue here is to correct the interpretation of Indian history concerning the seafaring abilities of India. The colonial historians had tried to project that India was not seafaring people thereby suggesting as if it was an inferior characteristic of Indian culture. They had tried to project that Indians remained untouched by navigation activity which on the other hand, was shown as a sign of European superiority and human endeavour and ingenuity. However, it was not so.

Acknowledgement: The lead for this topic was picked from The Tribute to Hinduism.

A Tribute to Hinduism

In the introduction of the site A Tribute to Hinduism, the administrator of the site has claimed following purpose of the site and I quote from there,
"This site is dedicated to Lord Ganesha - Lord of Beginnings, Bharat Mata (Mother India) and to the intuition of countless rishis (seers) of the past, who committed their lives in pursuit of Sanatan Dharma, the Eternal way of life."


Continuing with the introduction and I quote, "The purpose of this site is to provide useful information about the world's oldest religion."


It also claims that it catalogs the thoughts of world-renowned intellectuals, reference to books and further links for research in order to learn about Hinduism.

The administrator is Ms. Sushama Londhe. She has started this site in 1997. She has called it as her personal endeavour and indeed it is a great endeavour.


The administrator continues to update the site with new essays concerning various topics on Indian history. She has presented articles based on secondary sources. I have not read all the articles but those which have been read are based on the works of leading and established scholars in the field of history.


The article Seafaring in Ancient India is worth recommended. Being a student of history, we keep on telling different causes of the decline of India after Gupta period and also causes of the success of British East India Company against the Mughal Empire in India. In our explanation, we keep on telling that the Indian failed because they have never cared to raise a naval force and they were not seafaring people. But, on the same hand, while lecturing on Mauryan period with reference observation of Megasthense referred in other Grecian writers, we explain that one of the major branch of army of Mauryan period were Naviks (navy). In the same manner, in order to explain the background of the rise of wealth and state of economy of Pre-Gupta and Gupta period, we often quote Periplus of Erythian Sea. Similarly, we also refer to defeat of British fleet at the hands of the naval force of Aurangzeb. We also refer to the sailor of Janji. As a teacher, we understand this contradiction in our seminars but we do not stop from telling that the Indians failed because they never cared to develop navy and they did not have enterprise to attempt to meet opponents at sea. However, herein, with some reservation, a nicely elaborated article has been given. It is based on secondary sources.


The heading, A Tribute to Hinduism, may convey that this is a site of some religious fundamentalist. However, it is not so. It seems that the person is a genuine person. It is definitely is a personal endeavor. It is also case and example of personal expression in a civilized society. No doubt, some may counter that there is touch of bias and fundamentalism. Well, there are some issues concerning the heritage, culture and history of India which have not understood correctly by the Hindus themselves. There are some shortcomings and misgivings. Due to this feature, they become target of accusation and criticism. But, the Hindu society react against such criticism. On the other hand, the society is not ready to look inside. It fails to undertake some actions which is highly expected of it. It does not come out with any concrete activity. It is quick to argue, oppose, and then avoid to address the issue without caring how much harm is being caused to his very existence. Here, an individual is trying to do which the rest of the society should different in all other sphere of its existence.


Apart from the above-mentioned article, there is many more articles. The site administrator continues to update the list regularly.

Another feature, which has been pointed out of one of the visitor to the site, is attractive of the layout of the pages and choice of border. The contents are nicely laid out on each sheet. Every article is well illustrated and the sources are highlighted. The author of each article has referred to the source from which she is quoting even if it is a secondry source.

UGC/NET Preparation HISTORY: Comment on Indhistory Web site

UGC/NET Preparation HISTORY: Comment on Indhistory Web site
This is a review and criticism of the contents of a site giving details on the Indian history.

It is observed that most of the material given on Indian History is either not authentic or repeative in nature. Every site tends to repeat a general type of elaboration on a topic or a period.

On the other hand, there are sites and blogs which give highly motivated or ideology based details.

In the same manner, there are very few sites on which some serious discussion is carried out. There are no major research papers. If there are some articles, then they are on the sites which have originated and maintained by people living in other countries. Even the sites of foreign universities give such details which are mainly opinion. One does not find sites similar to what is available on the history of America, England and China.

Hindi Granth Karyalay: Munshi Premchand : A brief life sketch

Hindi Granth Karyalay: Munshi Premchand : A brief life sketch

This post is a repeat posting. I have already made its copy on my blog www.sumirsharma.blogspot.com

I am posting it here because I am facing the problem of posting here because the process of posting does not complete and it is not showing on the regular access to the blog.

About the content of the post:
The essay is by Hindi Granth Karyalaya and Publisher of Mumbai. It is about the life sketch of Munshi Prem Chand. However, the essay covers all the works of Munshi Prem Chand and there are further links to the discussion groups. on which the information on Munshi Prem Chand can accessed.

SUMIR SHARMA: Civil Services Prelims: Sanskrit Literature: Books and Authors Bank

SUMIR SHARMA: Civil Services Prelims: Sanskrit Literature: Books and Authors Bank

It was meant for this particular blog.

I am facing difficulty in posting here. Therefore, I am posting the same articles on one of my other blog and then giving links here.

It shows that blogging is not all that permanent work. Systems may crash and with that all your work may go waiste.

I will be interested in the comments of some expert blogger on this issue.

I understand that one can make copies on their writings on some other system and form. Many of my work is mainly kept safe on the hardisk of the computer. I write some of my article on the paper. But, gradually I am developing a habit of working only on the computer. I have even destroyed many of my handwritten manyscript after I have transferred them on my computer. Some of them, I have brought on the blog also. However, such glitches and failures make my heart to skip some beats.

World History Blog: Memories of the Russian Court

Memories of the Russian Court is another post about the first account by Anna about the last days of the Romonov court. Anna was close to Empress Alexandra. It is claimed to have been written in 1923. Now it is made online.

SUMIR SHARMA: Why Was Gandhi Not Given Nobel Prize?

http://sumirsharma.blogspot.com/2005/10/why-was-gandhi-not-given-nobel-prize.html.
The above link will take you to an article which I desired to post here and even tried. However, the posting is not completed and is not shown here. It was mainly meant for this site.

Why Was Gandhi Not Given Nobel Prize?

"He is undoubtedly a good, noble and ascetic person - a prominent man who is deservedly honoured and loved by the masses of India...(But) sharp turns in his policies, which can hardly be satisfactorily explained by his followers. He is a freedom fighter and a dictator, an idealist and a nationalist. He is frequently a Christ, but then, suddenly, an ordinary politician," Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, 1937.

The above quotation is of a committee's advisor of Nobel Prize Norwegian committee, Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, who wrote a report on Gandhi in 1937 when his name was nominated for the Noble peace prize.


This is a quotation taken from a report which has appeared in Times of India dated October 8, 2005 at 12.10. It may appear in Print on October 9, 2005.

My main motive to bring this post here is not to discuss Gandhi and his contribution or the working of the Norwegian committee for deciding Nobel prize. It is one of the aim of this blog to collect the quotations of historic personalities and similar judgements on Historic personalities and historic events.

I have not brought any such post as yet and this turns out be the first one.


Why have I picked up this quotation? Why have this very words attracted my attention?

Well this is another question. I have not studied Gandhi in detail. However, being a student of history and teacher, I have been studying Indian history. It is the result of the study of history, that I have spoken a number of times during my lectures that Gandhi has been presented out of proportion in the history of India. I have been studying about Surender Nath Banerjee, Gopal Krishan Gohkle, Bal Ganghadhar Tilak, Feroze Shah Mehta, Subash Chander Bose, the activities of Hindustan Revolutionary Party and many others. I have studied the role of different people and felt that they were the people with a vision and personality and Gandhi was one among them. However, there is so much talk about Gandhi and he is being studied as an institution. I have been giving a justification for that. I say that as it was the Congress party which came to power after the independence and therefore, the party in power projected the history overshadowing the achievements of other people in order to leave impression about its own achievements in making and raising of India. It was in course of such an attempt, the party in power had a mascot which it could project. Therefore, Gandhi became so important. Definitely, it had given rise to the controversry between Tara Chand and his work "Freedom Struggle" versus R. C. Majumdar and his writings with Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan series work.

Did the same government not present an apology when they bestowed upon Subash Chander Bose the Bharat Ratna? Who were the people who denied him such recognition for such long time and why?

I am not speaking against Gandhi. I have read only one book by Gandhi and that was My Experiment with Truth. When I read that book, (I have never completed its reading), I had also read "The Discovery of India" by Jwahar Lal Nehru. I have read the whole book. I am so much impressed by the writing ability of Nehru that he infatuates me. However, my study has remained confined to 1947. I have not studied beyond 1947. On the other hand, I have fully read the book by Sumit Sarkar, "Modern India 1885-1947". I have read with great attention and interest those pages in which Sumit Sarkar had studied the issue that Gandhi was a myth or what was the cause of the popularity of Gandhi. He had discussed this issue that how far it was true that the general public had a true perception of Gandhi. Somewhere he was accepted as a representative of Viceroy and on the other hand a special officer directly appointed by Queen of England who was even over and above the Viceroy. I have also studied the STS strategy of Gandhi as presented by Bipin Chandar. From those reading, I have acquired this confidence to say what I have been saying in my lectures. Now, here, I have found another quotation which was given somewhere in 1937. This quotation also gives the impression which Sumit Sarkar had tried to elaborate.

It is not an issue here that Gandhi could not be praised over and above all. I believe that he was the only person among Indians, who had the charisma and influence, and only he could have negotiated with person in authority at that time. No body had acquired the stature and vision that Gandhi possessed at that time. The country needed a leader and he was the person who could fulfill their need.

Why was then, Gandhi killed? Without going into different interpretations and generalizations, if we take the historic causes, then it was that, at that time of partition and after the partition had materialized, he was towing a liberal line towards Pakistan. He was creating an opinion about dealing with Pakistan on softer lines. He was in favour of giving the compensation which was being demanded by Pakistan but refused by the authorities which had taken over the responsibilities of the governance. The general public was pained by the massacre and communal riots that had created an environment, in which, the fundamentalists did not like his soft approach to Pakistan. They were not ready to accept the division. Gandhi, a politician and apostle of peace knew better than they did. The fundamentalists were not ready to accept a reality that Pakistan had become a reality. They were not against Islam or the Muslim population that has remained in India because their heart is in India and they are true Indians. The fundamentalists were against the political stance which Gandhi had taken on the issue of divisions of assets when the rest of nation was watching with dismay the sufferings of the refugees and riot effect Indians which included both Muslims and Hindus.

This had raised the question that why did Gandhi not taken this stand during the All Party Conference of 1928? Does this mean that it was only during the course of time, he evolved his doctrine of peace and modified his philosophy of Ahimsa after 1928? Did the Poona Pact frame his doctrine of peace? But that is not true. His doctrine and philosophy of Ahimsa might have undergone a variation but it was there well in place when he first visited Champaran in 1915. No doubt, the fundamentalists were wrong and Gandhi approach was right. Now if we go by the argument of the fundamentalist of that time, then they should also treat Atal Bihari Vajpayee playing Gandhi while dealing with Nawaz Sarif with their stiff dealings. In the recent days, the fundamentalists were again infuriated when L. K. Advani, playing a politician, called Jinnah a secularist.


However, the issue of presenting and interpretation in history still demands some different approach. India needs a history written for the Indian nation. In that, a large number of people had also played a role which has not been rightly highlighted but the image of Gandhi is being created to such a proportion that their existence is being overshadowed and overlooked, should be brought before the country. The above mentioned quotation directs the attention to that fact, that the perception about Gandhi at that time, that is during 1930s was not such that he was the only leader. There were doubts about his overall role. When such doubts are expressed then it also suggests that a person, who has tried to doubt, knows something else also. He, here Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, who might had at that time, read some reports about other Indian leaders, had felt that if Gandhi was to be praised and recognised for his peace role, then there were other people also who were giving meaning to the struggle for peace. However, who were they? Well, this again a question of debate. But it seems that an impression was carried that he was one of the freedom struggle fighter. The politics of those time, that was Gandhi versus Bose, might have been read and reflected upon the judgement of Jacob Worm-Müller. Gandhi for him was a politician fighting for his nation in the country of Buddha and Mahavira (Jacob Worm-Mülle might not have studied about Mahavira).

(a retrial)

---

Editorial Note:

Dated: September 29, 2006.

For a parallel view, in which, Gandhiji versus Nobel Prize Controversy is presented in a passionate manner substantiated by justifications which are counter to the views presented above, kindly look at the article by Vinay Lal on his web site Manas at Gandhi and the Nobel Prize.

Why Was Gandhi Not Given Noble Prize?

"He is undoubtedly a good, noble and ascetic person - a prominent man who is deservedly honoured and loved by the masses of India...(But) sharp turns in his policies, which can hardly be satisfactorily explained by his followers. He is a freedom fighter and a dictator, an idealist and a nationalist. He is frequently a Christ, but then, suddenly, an ordinary politician," Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, 1937.

The above quotation is of a committee's advisor of Noble Prize Norwegian committee, Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, who wrote a report on Gandhi in 1937 when his name was nominated for the Noble peace prize.


This is a quotation taken from a report which has appeared in Times of India dated September 8, 2005 at 12.10. It may appear in Print on September 9, 2005.

My main motive to bring this post here is not to discuss Gandhi and his contribution or the working of the Norwegian committee for deciding Noble prize. It is one of the aim of this blog to collect the quotations of historic personalities and similar judgements on Historic personalities and historic events.

I have not brought any such post as yet and this turns out be the first one.


Why have I picked up this quotation? Why have this very words attracted my attention?

Well this is another question. I have not studied Gandhi in detail. However, being a student of history and teacher, I have been studying Indian history. It is the result of the study of history, that I have spoken a number of times during my lectures that Gandhi has been presented out of proportion in the history of India. I have been studying about Surender Nath Banerjee, Gopal Krishan Gohkle, Bal Ganghadhar Tilak, Feroze Shah Mehta, Subash Chander Bose, the activities of Hindustan Revolutionary Party and many others. I have studied the role of different people and felt that they were the people with a vision and personality and Gandhi was one among them. However, there is so much talk about Gandhi and he is being studied as an institution. I have been giving a justification for that. I say that as it was the Congress party which came to power after the independence and therefore, the party in power projected the history overshadowing the achievements of other people in order to leave impression about its own achievements in making and raising of India. It was in course of such an attempt, the party in power had a mascot which it could project. Therefore, Gandhi became so important. Definitely, it had given rise to the controversry between Tara Chand and his work "Freedom Struggle" versus R. C. Majumdar and his writings with Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan series work.

Did the same government not present an apology when they bestowed upon Subash Chander Bose the Bharat Ratna? Who were the people who denied him such recognition for such long time and why?

I am not speaking against Gandhi. I have read only one book by Gandhi and that was My Experiment with Truth. When I read that book, (I have never completed its reading), I had also read "The Discovery of India" by Jwahar Lal Nehru. I have read the whole book. I am so much impressed by the writing ability of Nehru that he infatuates me. However, my study has remained confined to 1947. I have not studied beyond 1947. On the other hand, I have fully read the book by Sumit Sarkar, "Modern India 1885-1947". I have read with great attention and interest those pages in which Sumit Sarkar had studied the issue that Gandhi was a myth or what was the cause of the popularity of Gandhi. He had discussed this issue that how far it was true that the general public had a true perception of Gandhi. Somewhere he was accepted as a representative of Viceroy and on the other hand a special officer directly appointed by Queen of England who was even over and above the Viceroy. I have also studied the STS strategy of Gandhi as presented by Bipin Chandar. From those reading, I have acquired this confidence to say what I have been saying in my lectures. Now, here, I have found another quotation which was given somewhere in 1937. This quotation also gives the impression which Sumit Sarkar had tried to elaborate.

It is not an issue here that Gandhi could not be praised over and above all. I believe that he was the only person among Indians, who had the charisma and influence, and only he could have negotiated with person in authority at that time. No body had acquired the stature and vision that Gandhi possessed at that time. The country needed a leader and he was the person who could fulfill their need.

Why was then, Gandhi killed? Without going into different interpretations and generalizations, if we take the historic causes, then it was that, at that time of partition and after the partition had materialized, he was towing a liberal line towards Pakistan. He was creating an opinion about dealing with Pakistan on softer lines. He was in favour of giving the compensation which was being demanded by Pakistan but refused by the authorities which had taken over the responsibilities of the governance. The general public was pained by the massacre and communal riots that had created an environment, in which, the fundamentalists did not like his soft approach to Pakistan. They were not ready to accept the division. Gandhi, a politician and apostle of peace knew better than they did. The fundamentalists were not ready to accept a reality that Pakistan had become a reality. They were not against Islam or the Muslim population that has remained in India because their heart is in India and they are true Indians. The fundamentalists were against the political stance which Gandhi had taken on the issue of divisions of assets when the rest of nation was watching with dismay the sufferings of the refugees and riot effect Indians which included both Muslims and Hindus.

This had raised the question that why did Gandhi not taken this stand during the All Party Conference of 1928? Does this mean that it was only during the course of time, he evolved his doctrine of peace and modified his philosophy of Ahimsa after 1928? Did the Poona Pact frame his doctrine of peace? But that is not true. His doctrine and philosophy of Ahimsa might have undergone a variation but it was there well in place when he first visited Champaran in 1915. No doubt, the fundamentalists were wrong and Gandhi approach was right. Now if we go by the argument of the fundamentalist of that time, then they should also treat Atal Bihari Vajpayee playing Gandhi while dealing with Nawaz Sarif with their stiff dealings. In the recent days, the fundamentalists were again infuriated when L. K. Advani, playing a politician, called Jinnah a secularist.


However, the issue of presenting and interpretation in history still demands some different approach. India needs a history written for the Indian nation. In that, a large number of people had also played a role which has not been rightly highlighted but the image of Gandhi is being created to such a proportion that their existence is being overshadowed and overlooked, should be brought before the country. The above mentioned quotation directs the attention to that fact, that the perception about Gandhi at that time, that is during 1930s was not such that he was the only leader. There were doubts about his overall role. When such doubts are expressed then it also suggests that a person, who has tried to doubt, knows something else also. He, here Professor Jacob Worm-Müller, who might had at that time, read some reports about other Indian leaders, had felt that if Gandhi was to be praised and recognised for his peace role, then there were other people also who were giving meaning to the struggle for peace. However, who were they? Well, this again a question of debate. But it seems that an impression was carried that he was one of the freedom struggle fighter. The politics of those time, that was Gandhi versus Bose, might have been read and reflected upon the judgement of Jacob Worm-Müller. Gandhi for him was a politician fighting for his nation in the country of Buddha and Mahavira (Jacob Worm-Mülle might not have studied about Mahavira).

---

Editorial Note:

Dated: September 29, 2006.

For a parallel view, in which, Gandhiji versus Nobel Prize Controversy is presented in a passionate manner substantiated by justifications which are counter to the views presented above, kindly look at the article by Vinay Lal on his web site Manas at Gandhi and the Nobel Prize.

V. Ramasawmy Sastrulu

I have linked to this article as I understand that I have mentioned his name in my written notes at some place. However, here in the article, which had been borrowed by the blogger from some news media, the Sastrulu is eulogised as a person who brought printing to the Telugu language in 19th century.

My area of interest is in 19th century world and India. Therefore, this link here made only for making a note.

David Zarnett’s Blog

On his weblog, he has published three articles.
The titles of the articles are as follows:

British Democracy and the Domestic Impact of the Empire.

British-Mughal Dependency in the 17th century.

British Absentmindedness and the 1857 Rebellion.

On the reading the article "British Democracy and the Domestic Impact of the Empire", I have decided to make a note of it.

I will read it latter and comment upon.

Rihand: HINDUISM AND THE BAH�’I FAITH

Rihand: HINDUISM AND THE BAH�’I FAITH

It has in its content the reference to the Indian cosmonology based on the reference to the Puranic literature.

I just staggered upon this blog but as the contents are of my interest, I just gave a casual look and found some references in which I am interested.

However, I have listened about Bahai Faith but on questioning what it is, I feel sorry to admit that I do not know anything about it. Hence, I have included in my list of topics which I am supposed to study while studying Indian history.

World History Blog: Terrorism and the Philosophy of History

The post at World Blog of Miland Brown titled "Terrorism and the Philosophy of History" attracted my attention not for the word "Terrorism" but "the Philosophy of History". The title takes to the site of Essays in Philosophy, A Biannual Journal, Vol 3, Special Issue, April 2002.



The essays is a comment on John Rawls views. However, there is a section titled Political Philosophy and History which can be useful both for the students of Political Science and History.


While I was browsing through the various posts on the World History Blog after a couple of weeks, I just had this feeling that one can just feed on the work of Milan Brown, the author, after a week. Visit the links which he gives and then study the material if it is of any interest to your general and immediate reading. It helps.

Many directories are coming out using different technologies in the field of IT. However, in this blog, a person is not using a technology but a human rationality to search. It has raised an issue. The issue is that what is the use of technology if there is not human being behind. A day may come when technology help to get for you anything which you want. But needs the product of technology; it is the Human rationality. The various directories have given list of numerous sites and links. There is summary also which the softwares of the site squeeze for you. However, here, in this blog, the summary is given by a Human being. Can there be a comparison between which is done mere by artifical intelligence of the IT and the human intellegience.