Aaditya Pratap

I'm flabbergasted. Never thought history could be so intresting. One of my favourite books and a must recommend to understand on how the psychology of west diverged a thousand years back.

A must recommend to understand Present only only because he's one of my favourite all time history author but also because he can draw the macro narrative to help readers understand the larger picture.

A book that helps understand repetitive pattern of conflict for power in Russia.

This is a thought-provoking and engaging book as it provides a detailed analysis of the various ideologies( a particular ideology rather) and movements that contributed to the idea of a separate Muslim state in India. One of the strengths of the book is its rigorous and well-researched approach to its subject matter. The prose of the book is conspicuous making it an engaging read despite the complexity of the matter. The book sheds new light on the history and politics of the Indian subcontinent in the mid-20th century. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of South Asia, the politics of religion, and the complexities of nation-building. I would also suggest anyone reading this book to also read 'Among the believers' to really understand how in a small amount of time the natives of the land were brainwashed and started to see themselves as someone who's alliance lies to a foreign dessert. So it becomes well recommended.

If one has to understand the ideology of Pakistan and fundamental objective behind terrorism this is the holy grail.

A must read book to know the Communal bigot called Gandhi.

Great insights! A must recommend one.

In this book there is a charge on two occasions that Prithviraj Raso calls Jaichand Gharwal as traitor. The fact is there is not even a single script or even a reccession or manuscript of the raso which calls Jaichand a traitor nothing even remotely close to that. On the contrary the poet of rasso extols Jaichand, praises him for striking Ghori into fear. Facts-The profile and lineage of Ghadwal has a stout and successful resistance against the Islamic invaders and not of any alliance or coalition. Ex- Sarnath inscription near Varanasi (Indian source) Tabaqat-i Nasiri(Islamic source) both these sources cite that after the jihad of Mahmud of Gazni the east and north of Ganga were largely protected from Islamic jihad with one or two exceptions. The inscription from Itawah - Gowindchandra Gadwal agressive cavalry posture had forced the islamic invaders to pause and drop their plans of jihad in Indian mainland. The badayun inscription of rastrakuta who were feudatories of the line of Jaichand Ghadwal say no Muslim could venture near Ganga. Purush pariksha by Vidyapati states the same. 14th century islamic text Futuh al Salatin by Abdul Malik Isami covers the failed attempt of jihad in Gujarat (1178). By mistake Isami mentioned that Jaichand led the army( it was Solanki). But even in mistake the islamic source portay Jaichand as an enemy only! Turuskdand - a tax applied by Gahadwals in the 12th century to fund the wars against islamic terrorist. When the Chauhan - Tomar alliance were keeping the NW preety secure the Gahadwals were relieved of that pressure. This made Jaichand remove Turuskdand and it was seen as a popular step giving relief to his population. He ruled from Gaya to Meerut- Aligarh area. He gave partonage to the temple. Whenever he was able to thwart the islamic invasion he would bring relief by reducing the taxes. The propaganda - The prithviraj prabandh written after 300 years under the patronage of arch rivals Solankis goes at length to discredit his efforts. The genesis of this myth lies in the 16th century by Abul Fazal, under the patronage of Mughals and when he started writing a Delhi centric history for Mughals he had two problem. One was Delhi has the status of the north for centuries before Akbar and Hindu counter narrative had risen the memory of Prithviraj Chauhan to the strature of a Delhi based Hindu Samrat. Second problem was not only was an imperial Muslim power sitting in Delhi Agra in 16th century at that time but historically in 12th century when Prithviraj ruled. There has been violent power transition from Hindu forces to Muslim powers around same Delhi Agra region involving Prithviraj and Ghori. Hence Abul Fazal was forced to talk about that transition. But the requirement of Abul Fazal as Mughal courtier was to somehow absolve the Muslim powers from the blame of the mayhem of twelve century. This makes him invent a villian in Jaichand (al-taqqaiya). Abul Fazal was the first person to spout this lie that it was Jaichand who called Ghori to India to settle his scores with Chauhan. He wanted to project that whatever happened back then wasn't the fault of Muslims but it was your people who called us here to help with their own issues. And obviously Abul Fazal gives no source of statement despite being 400 years away from the events!! So stop citing gibberish about something or somewhere where you've never belonged to. Hope it decimates the long and pervasive lies and myths across the sections of society and intellectuals.

It helps to understand the mental state of the people around us. Need more of such books.

Excellent book a must-read recommendation to all the Indians to know their actual past.