In the long history of India it was ruled by some native Indian only for around 5 to 6 hundred years, comprising the rule of Ashoka the great and Chandragupt. Rest of its history is dominated by rulers who initially came from north west of India. These rulers were quickly absorbed by the vast multitude of Indians into themselves. Hesitantly they became indians themselves, rather they were obliged to do so without wasting much time. Indians reciprocated by readily adapting to the new realities, compromising where it was good for them and resisting where needed. Before Islam it was easier for both invaders, saints, intellectuals and travelers from the north-west and the Indians to come to terms with each other because religions and races were not new to them. Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism and atheism as well as Yavans, Huns and Shakas were quite familiar to them. After the north-westerners adopted Islam and the new invaders tried to force their newly adopted religion and culture on the Indians the trouble started and the assimilation was resisted. Even it took a few centuries for Indians to understand what was coming. But ultimately Islam and Islamic culture too were absorbed into India. for around 6 to 7 hundred years Indians accepted, rather chose Muslims as their rulers. Even Marathas, who ruled most of India for aroun 100 years did not try to force themselves as rulers of India, they being natives. By this time Muslims themselves became natives and India needed another ruler, a manager so to say, and it readily appointed British as their ruler.
Post independence is the only era in which Indians are ruling themselves. And any semblance of a foreign rule, may be in the shape of the Head of a democratically elected ruling party is readily welcomed by them.
Some thoughts on this next time.
Post independence is the only era in which Indians are ruling themselves. And any semblance of a foreign rule, may be in the shape of the Head of a democratically elected ruling party is readily welcomed by them.
Some thoughts on this next time.