Prior to the British era, the History of India was a history of princes, not of peoples. Under no regime of any recorded period, did the people’s welfare determine any Indian ruler’s policy. The people lay like clots of helpless insects beneath their master’s feet. Because of forgotten sin in some forgotten life (Karma), the gods have condemned them with pain and suffering. The population in habitable regions was dense. The climatic conditions warranted local recurring crop shortage. No general safeguard was ever made by any ruler against this terror.
The historic region of Chandra Gupta is described in History textbooks and politicians as the ‘Golden Age of peace & plenty’. He had ruled India around 3rd century BC. During his region a 12 year famine occurred. It is recorded that Chandra Gupta seeking welfare of people abandoned his throne & responsibilities. He took with himself everything to settle a far, carefree in a more prosperous land to lead a religious life! The people stayed where they were and starved to death.
During 15th Century the ruler of Agra & Delhi – Hemu – fed his 500 elephants with sugar, butter & rice; the famine hit people suffered “So hideous that one could scarcely look at them”. They ate the flesh of their own kin & kind.
During the 14th century the people of Mewar “went mad with hunger. Things unknown as food were eaten. Even the insects died. They had nothing to feed on. All was lost in hunger. Man ate Man”.
In between the periods stated above, the same things recurred many times throughout India. Many people & historians have recorded. This shows the unconcern of rulers towards their people. The people’s misery ended in cannibalism and other indescribable horrors.
The Mughal emperor Akbar tried to meet these challenges by the distribution of food. But he stood almost alone. The people were left to themselves to bear the burden unassisted, except some reduction in tax demand. The demand for taxes, by the kings, was as relentless as death. The Mughal emperors did reduce the tax demand, as a special measure of mercy, but with little effect.
According to Hindu law the king is entitled to 25% of the crops. The Maratha bandit king Shiva Ji demanded 40% of every man’s produce. He had put his headman to torture if they failed to extract the full tax. If the villager could not pay, he, his wife and children sold into slavery.
Thus, the farmers and other people lived poor, famine or no famine. Human life had little value. Except a rough wagon path connecting Agra & Lahore, there were no roads.
What is surprising is the way the historical bul*shi* is written. Where can anyone find the “GOLDEN AGE OF PEACE & PELENTY” except in fiction?
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
