| News Details |
| Acclaimed historian, Khalid Bashir, changes discourse of history | | dismisses victimhood narrative by a particular community |
Srinagar, August 18, (Scoop News)-While unveiling his book, Kashmir- Exposing the Myth, an acclaimed historian, columnist and a former bureaucrat, Khalid Bashir, has challenged the perpetual persecution story besides focusing on new aspects of dominant victim narrative of a particular community.
Khalid read two passages from the book citing evidence of rise and not decline of Kashmiri Pandits over a period of time.”A lot of history about Kashmir is distorted. During Zainul Abideen rule Kashmiri Pandits especially Brahman’s held high positions in the administration. They were given rent free land and even the King participated in their rituals and festivals. Even during Mughal rule Kotram Pandit Mahadev were serving in their Darbar and not any Muslim…….During Afghan era lot of Kashmiri Pandits had political power in their hands. Saproos, Kouls, were heading some of the important departments is an ample proof,” Khalid read from his book.
Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist Mohammed Sayed Malik, said that the author has identified an important distorted narrative that has been propagated for centuries as such. Applauding the author, Malik said he has done a commendable job by challenging 5000 years of history and recommended that everybody should read the book.
Author Shahnaz Bashir termed the book as a collection of facts about Kashmir during the last century in a globally accepted format.
Professor Rafiq, who presided over the event said that nowadays cultural wars are being fought in the media and the atmosphere has been surcharged and historical documentation with evidence. In this era Khalid Bashir has taken a lead and presented us the version of history which will not only update readers but also provide new angles to ponder upon the future historians, Prof Rafiq said.
Surprisingly, some of the speakers desired not to be named in the media and preferred anonymity due to inexplicable reasons.
A speaker said that the book is not about breaking certain narrative but presenting ruling class and oppressed class in new light. “The particular minority community was four percent at that time and still occupies the same percentage then on what basis does the narrative of massive persecution stand,” he observed.
“The book is a milestone in the sense that challenges everything that people have been reading. “It seems Rajtrangani and other books were perpetuated through mythology and were fed to us as gospel truth,” said another speaker, adding “the book is an eye opener that too with huge reference. Our history will never be the same again.”... |
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