Kashi existed from the time of the Upanishads: Historian Meenakshi Jain at Mangaluru Lit Fest

Historian Meenakshi Jain, on January 10, said Kashi is mentioned in the Upanishads, and history is etched on the walls of Kashi’s temples.

Ms. Jain, who received the 8th Mangaluru Lit Fest Award, was in dialogue with Prithvi Karinje at a session on “Reconnecting with Our Civilisational Heritage” at the fest. She was answering a question on controversies surrounding Kashi and Mathura.

She said, “It is incorrect to say Kashi’s history started only in the 12th century. Kashi has existed since the period of the Upanishads.” On Mathura, she said, “In Mathura, out of the 13.3 acres of the temple land, a national party gave 3 acres to the Idgah in 1968. It was not possible to speak or write about these issues earlier. Prior to 2010, no publishers would come forward to publish books on Indian history. Now, my books are being published. I never believed I would see the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,“ Ms. Jain said.

She further said, “Several civilisations have perished over time. If our civilisation remains alive today despite numerous invasions, it is because of the common people and their faith.”

“The reason we did not surrender, regardless of the attacks on our civilisation, is due to our beliefs and practices. We have worshipped the Mother Goddess since time immemorial. There is a reference to this in a Madhya Pradesh inscription dating back 11,000 years. It is the common people who preserved and carried the faith forward.”

Living in harmony

Ms. Jain said the common people played a far more significant role than the kings. “Our civilisation was not built by kings alone; the common man’s contribution was immense. Some years ago, 601 inscriptions were found in Sanchi. While only three pillars were donated by kings, the rest were donated by the common man.”

History textbooks speaking about internal conflicts between Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, however, was part of a conspiracy by the British to divide and rule India, she claimed. People of all faiths lived harmoniously in India, she said, adding that Indian history should be viewed from an Indian perspective, not a foreign one.