Renowned historian and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Meenakshi Jain has strongly contested the narrative that the history of the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi) begins only in the 12th century. She asserted that the city's antiquity is far older, tracing back to the era of the Upanishads, and its historical record is physically inscribed on the walls of its temples.
Correcting the Historical Timeline of Kashi and Mathura
Dr. Jain made these remarks while receiving the 8th Mangaluru Lit Fest Award on Saturday. During an interactive session titled ‘Reconnecting with Our Civilisational Heritage’, she addressed common misconceptions. "Kashi is mentioned in the Upanishads itself, and history is etched on the walls of Kashi's temples. It is incorrect to trace the history of Kashi only from the 12th century," she stated emphatically.
Delving into a specific historical dispute, she referenced a 1936 lawsuit filed by an individual claiming a piece of land in Kashi belonged to a waqf. "A thorough investigation was conducted even under British rule. Information was gathered by interviewing 35 residents, and a report of nearly 4,000 pages was submitted," she informed the audience, highlighting the depth of historical inquiry.
Shifting focus to Mathura, Dr. Jain provided another significant detail. "In Mathura, out of the 13.3 acres reserved for the temple, a national party gave three acres to the Idgah Maidan in 1968," she revealed. She expressed gratitude for the changing intellectual climate, noting that before 2010, publishers were reluctant to publish books on Indian history from a native perspective. "Now, my books are being published. I never believed I would see the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, but in 2025, that became a reality," she added.
The Role of Common People in Preserving Civilisation
Dr. Jain attributed the survival of Indian civilisation through countless invasions to the unwavering faith of the common populace, not just kings and rulers. "Several civilisations perished over time. However, if our civilisation remains alive today despite numerous invasions, it is because of the common people and their faith," she observed.
She cited the continuous worship of the Mother Goddess as a prime example, mentioning an inscription from Madhya Pradesh that is approximately 11,000 years old. "We did not abandon our faith. It is the common people who preserved and carried that faith forward," she stated. To underscore the point, she referenced the discovery of 601 inscriptions in Sanchi, where only three were donated by kings, demonstrating the widespread participation of men and women from all walks of life.
Call for an Indian Perspective on History
The historian critically examined the content of history textbooks, which she argued often promote a divisive narrative. "Our textbooks taught us that there were always conflicts between different classes, and that we were constantly fighting each other. We are told there were internal feuds between Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists for generations," she said.
She identified this as a "conspiracy by the British to ‘divide and rule' us." Countering this, she presented a vision of harmonious coexistence: "Ours is a country where people of all faiths lived harmoniously. Indian history must be viewed through Indian eyes, not through the eyes of foreigners." The session was moderated by Prithvi Karinje, facilitating a deep dive into India's civilisational journey.
