August 25, 2003
From the desk of Jane Galt:Bombing in Mumbai
65 dead, over 100 injured. Speculation is that it's the work of Lashkar-e-Toiba, a muslim terror group based in Pakistan, an argument strengthened by the fact that the attack comes on the day that archaeologists filed a highly controversal report stating that they had found the remains of a Hindu temple on the Ayodha site. The Ayodha site is now one of the hottest bones of contention between Pakistan and India; a sixteenth century mosque was destroyed there in (I believe) the early nineties during interreligious riots. Violence has continued around the site, with over 1,000 killed last year (mostly Muslim) in Ayodha-related riots.
Posted by Jane Galt at August 25, 2003 12:24 PM | TrackBack | Technorati inbound linksA classic example of too much history.
In 1992, Hindu fundamentalists tore down (with pretty much only hand-tools) a 16th century mosque, built by Babar (a Moghul leader, NOT an elephant), and now want the site for construction of a Hindu temple.
According to the Hindus, Babar, in turn, had torn down an even more ancient temple to Rama (chief of the Hindu pantheon), built on that same site ~450 AD.
Which, quite possibly, was built on top of something else even before THAT.....
From the Hindustan Times a different supposition regarding the group behind the blast. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_350079,0008.htm
From the Hindustan Times a different supposition regarding the group behind the blast. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_350079,0008.htm
Dean: what was the religion before Hinduism in India ? Or do you believe in Max Mueller's Aryan Invasion Theory - the one inspired by all things of chronology in the old testament.
When you say: "According to the Hindus, Babar, in turn, had torn down an even more ancient temple". Please, do not use the NYT and BBC for your sources. Contemporary (as in the 90s) histories by Islamic scholars proudbly claimed that the Babri Mosque was built by Babar after demolishing the temple to Rama at that site. Leftist (Indian) historians, like Irfan Habib and Romila Thapar, substantiated these claims in their "eminent works".
Today these groups are back pedalling furiously and making loud noises about "scientific proof". Funny when historians discover the scientific method.
In this case, the "scientific method" would be an archeological dig. This became much easier when the structure on top was removed, but somehow I think it would still take a small army to protect the excavators...
Yes, the "scientific method" would be an archaelogical dig since it was widely reported in historical documents - right, left and religious - that Islamic crusaders built the mosques over the demolished structures and buried the artifacts from the temple below the gates so the believers would walk over them when then enter the temple.
Popper's doctrine of Faslifaibility is a good touchstone here. He must be rolling in his grave laughing. Falsifiability being used to debunk the historicism of historians.
Similarly, scientific method was also used to debunk the so-called Aryan Invasion Theory. One interesting aspect of the theory was that the river Saraswati referred to in the Vedas was mythical. In fact the schoolbooks I was taught from called it the Mythical Saraswati in "Hindu Mythology". After all Greeks and other pagans like Hindus have mythologies while the rest of the believers have "holy books".
Satellite imagery has shown a vast drybed of the river stretching throught northern and western India. Consequently historians have speculated about settlements along the banks of this river and the existence of a Saraswati river civilization.
Subsequent archaelogical digs have confirmed their speculations. Google for "Sarawati River Civlization".
what was there before hinduism???
nothing.. the first monkey men in india were hindus...
there's always something "before" or have you never played chicken and egg with a child??
since we know the development of buddhism, zoroastrianism, jainism, christianity, judaism, islam, greek, roman, and egyptian mythology... there obviously can't have been anything before hinduism in india...
/idiot
Comments are Closed.