Pages from History

by Prof. A.V. Narasimhamurthy

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 was a great day for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) in general and those of Bangalore and Mysore in particular because on that day our new Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala released e-Books of 11 volumes of English original of the History and Culture of the Indian People prepared directly under the direction of Kulapati K.M. Munshiji and the Kannada translation of the same 11 volumes prepared under my Editorship at Mysore. The latter is in 25 volumes. This has a background of its own. Sixty years ago Munshiji observed that there was no history of India written by a competent person or persons. The so-called histories attempted by individuals were far from satisfactory. Some were written from colonial angle while others were written by nationalist angle. Some others were to highlight either the Hindu or Muslim community or British contribution. Cambridge History of India was started to remedy these defects but it had a major problem of the paucity of competent writers to write on Indian history. Thus, it also languished. Many other smaller attempts do not merit serious attention.

At that juncture came Munshiji who felt the inadequacy of so-called Indian histories. He did not keep quiet murmuring over it but thought of tackling the problem in all seriousness. He strongly felt that Indian past should be described by her own historians so that they might catch a glimpse of her soul as Indians see it. In his own words as a result I have seen and felt the form, continuity and the meaning of the Indian past. History as I see it is continuously lived by Indians. Attempts to comprehend what has happened in the past forms no small part of our modern struggle. There is a conscious as well as an unconscious attempt to carry life to perfection to join the fragments of existence and to discuss the meaning of the visions which they reveal. It is not enough, therefore, to conserve, record and understand what happened; it is necessary also to assess the nature and direction of the momentous forces working through the life of India in order to appreciate the fulfilment which they seek.

He further elaborated it by stating the scope of history as follows: To be a history in the true sense of the word, the work must be the story of the people inhabiting the country. It must be a record of their life from age to age practiced through the life and achievements of men whose experiences become the beacon light of tradition, physical and economic conditions, political changes and vicissitudes which create the forces and conditions which operate upon life through characteristic social institutions, beliefs through literacy and artistic achievements through movements which helped or hindered the growth of collective harmony to make it an organic unity. Thus it must unfold the values which age after age have inspired the inhabitants to develop their culture and express it. Such a history of India is yet to be written !

In Indian parlance, history is Itihasa meaning as it happened in the past. It means that history is a record of events as they happened. Munshiji not only understood these principles but put them into practice. Another significant contribution of Munshiji is the way in which these volumes were planned and executed. He gave adequate importance to political history but gave more prominence to cultural history. He recognised various periods in the writing of our history from Vedic Age to the history of freedom struggle. This has attracted the historians all over the world.

It is practically impossible for a single historian, however scholarly he may be, to write a full history of India. That is why he picked up the best sixty scholars of that period to write different aspects. For example K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, a great scholar in South Indian history, was entrusted with the responsibility of writing on South Indian history and culture. Habibullah was requested to write on Muslim polity. This gave authenticity to the various chapters. That is sterling quality of the entire series. R.C. Majumdar was a towering personality in the study of Indian history of that period and naturally he was given the responsibility of being the Chief Editor. It is an education by itself to read the foreword or preface written by him to each of these volumes.

Munshiji had pointed out certain defects. We were told about the successive foreign invasions but little about how we resisted them and less about our victories. We were taught to decry Hindu Social system but nothing about how it brought about a synthesis of cultural forces. Alexandar’s short-lived invasion was described in glorious terms but nothing about how it failed to produce any tangible results on us. The heroic rule of Samudragupta, Harsha were discussed in a summary fashion but details were described of the bloody thirsty invasions of various periods. Our struggle for Independence was given the name Sepoy Mutiny to undermine its influence. The British historians cleverly introduced the concept of divide and rule and highlighted the part played by Dravidians against the Aryans, the Muslims and even the British. Dissatisfied by all these mistakes Munshiji planned and accomplished eleven volumes of our history. This has not been surpassed so far and as it appears now, this may not happen at all. Thus it may be considered as the magnum opus of Kulapati K.M. Munshiji.

It was the good fortune of Vidya Bhavan that Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramaiah (ESV), who was the chairman of BVB, Bangalore, showed great interest in this project. He felt that the benefit of the message of Munshiji should be made available to the Kannada readers. It was my good fortune that I was selected to be the Chief Editor of Kannada volumes in 25 parts. The first volume was released in 1997 and ESV passed away. Fortunately, N. Ramanuja of HMT fame took over the Chairmanship of BVB, Bangalore and he evinced active interest in the scheme and it was completed as planned, under the title Bharatiya Janateya Itihasa Mattu Samskriti. Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy and H.N. Suresh, present Director, gave full support for this project. It was completed in 2005 after eight years.

In accordance with the modern development, these 25 volumes were planned in e-book in a single disc under the guidance of N. Ramanuja. The entire project was supported financially by M.P. Birla Institute of Management and the work was done with the help of Arjun of Sriranga Digitals. This fine work was released by the Governor of Karnataka. On that day, I was sitting by his side along with Ramanuja. He praised me and appreciated my efforts being the Chief Editor of the Kannada volumes and asked many clarifications. I was impressed by his simple living and high thinking. In his speech he said that it is my good fortune to be sitting by the side of a scholar and looked at me. I became overwhelmed by affection when the Governor said, ‘Professor you may take as much time as you want but tell us about history.’ Ramanuja and I requested him to pay a visit to BVB, Mysore and he readily agreed. Thus, we are waiting for the visit of the Governor to Mysore Bhavan shortly. Thus, I had a pleasant and useful occasion after spending about three months in America. Lastly, I bow to Kulapati K.M. Munshiji for this great opportunity.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday,  September 28th,  2014