As an apprentice of Indian History
I am in love with reading articles on Indian History, which are original and
energetic from start to end.
Article titled Anglicization of
the Parsis by Polly Noshir Chenoy is very honest, brutal and critical
evaluation of Parsis in India, especially during the pre independence times.
It is astonishing that his name /
article never cropped up in any mainstream media. My chance reading helped me
in placing it as one of the best articles written by an Indian about a
particular community i.e. Parsis.
I think as a substitute for
reading History book in college, articles like Anglicization of the Parsis,
Effects of Colonization on Indian Thought (M Danino) etc. should be handed out
to students.
Both Mr. Chenoy and Mr. Danino have
dissected role of Parsis and Indians in their respective articles and gives
reader an ostentatious ride.
Article by Mr. Chenoy and Mr.
Danino has the same soul. They both are shouting do not lose the Indian culture
and heritage.
The link for article by Mr.
Chenoy, is provided at references for the benefit of readers who have endurance
to read through its length.
The website where the article was
located has an introduction where a letter from Ervad Marzban Hathiram praises
India with an important message for everyone.
Mr Hathiram states about
influence of British on Parsis:
“…..but think and ruminate it for
some time and you realise that 200 years of British aping did what 1300
years of benign Hindu influence could not do - make us forget our roots and our
religion and hence lead us into the mess that we are in today.”
For those who would not endure, I
will present select portions of the article below:
“We have become more British
after the British have left”
According to Kulke: "Even if
Gujarati was still spoken in most of the Parsi families, this language ceased
to be the cultural and educational language of the Parsis."
“What is forgotten is the fact
that Indian culture and civilization has survived far longer than the Western
civilization and that the endurance of a civilization lay in the profundity and
wisdom of its spiritual heritage.”
“One, then, understands that if
English education has been able to do something for intellectual culture, it
had had nothing to change in the direction of morals.”
“Let us also not forget that
Khari salaam to Hinduoney che, karanke tey loge hamone asro apyo (real salaam
goes to the Hindus for they give us refuge when we needed it most).”
I steadfastly believe that we
have to relook at Indian History from different perspectives / lenses.
References:
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