Why is perception important? How many of us have never read a book on Aurangzeb or Jawaharlal Nehru, Akbar — “The Great” or for that matter Da Vinci or Genghis Khan, Hitler, Mata Hari, just to make a point that this is not just with Indians, but people across.
But I am sure all of us can hold a debate on them if we are asked to.
What’s important is, Do we really know them? Do we really know their struggles, their times, their limited access to knowledge or how they aced their times?
It’s easier to judge when you know the results. But how many of us with all our modern resources in hand has always made correct decisions. Let’s superficially see these two characters though that is completely opposite to the point I want to make.
The Infamous Guy: Ala-ud-din Khalji
Described by Barani “He was Bad Tempered, obstinate and Hard Hearted”, Illiterate as he was, yet undeniably he was one of the greatest ruler of Indian History. ‘He only looked to the public good’ also a quote by the same Barani.
Delhi Sultanate was by far the most turbulent times India has faced. Absence of concrete empire since hundreds of years has led to these blood thirsty empires. Yet under the rule of Ala-ud-din the people had absolute security and comfort.
When we look at prosperity Ala-ud-din established the most successful markets of medieval India. Rates of Horses, Food Items, Slaves etc was fixed and Inflation were controlled. The quality checks were done in order, for all items. To avoid corruption or cheating spies in casual attire were present in market. Under Ala-ud-din rule the market prospered and towns got set up. ‘The World Smiled upon him, fortune befriended him’ -Barani
Ala-ud-din favored the Bold. He even reinstated many Rajas against whom he has won in battles and treated them with respect. He would stay in the company of wise men and scholars. He had a love for poetry and passion for welfare of common people. ‘Dispatches of Victories came in from all side’- Barani.
One more from our Dear Old Barani — ‘This.. preservation of Delhi seemed, to wise men, one of the wonders of the age.’
The Hero: Akbar “The Great”
We all are aware of the great achievements, tolerant religious policies and multiple market reforms that brought people prosperity and growth in the times of Akbar. But there is also a hidden story not known to many.
In the year 1568, due to a misunderstanding between Akbar and Udai Singh, Akbar moved towards Chittor to capture it. Udai Singh escaped the besieged. However Chitor Fort was one of the most difficult fort to capture. For the same Akbar had lot of strategies.
The strategies worked but the progress was slow. Akbar lost many soldiers daily in order to penetrate the walls of Chittor.
One night, Akbar spotted a man supervising a repair of the breach in the wall of the fort. He lifted his favourite gun ‘Sangram’ and took the shot. The man was Jai Mal, Rajput general.
Upon his demise Chittor made preparations for Jauhar and the soldiers prepared themselves for the final battle.
The Rajput soldiers embraced death with a grace and each one of them took as many enemy lives as they could.
Frustrated and furious at the loses Akbar faced with the bitter resistance he ordered a genocide of the people in the fort of Chittor.
Around 30000 Rajputs were killed. Their sacred threads collectively weighed 200 Kgs.
Even Abul Fazl couldn’t justify the act in the Akbar- Nama.
The act was to instill fear in those who would ever try to defy Akbar’s authority.
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I might have spoiled the pretty pictures you might be carrying in mind since long but there are lot of parallels between these two.
Both were the most successful rulers of their times. Both were not literates, but that never limited their passion for learning and growing. Both didn’t differentiate in their subjects which were their at most priority. Both were ruthless when it came to expansion.
My point being why we should divide people into Heroes and Villains?
People are never Black or White they are Shades of Grey.
So I hope the next time we think of forming perceptions, we will be more considerate, more informed and more well-read. Shouldn’t we be?
