Let's see more academically authoritative links -- trustworthy ones

Submitted by GWK (United States), Jun 21, 2009 at 21:54

Ok, Raju -- you touch on an old security studies thesis that I has which came out of a graduate school geography class that I took in California back in 1985. So whether you knew it or not, you hit a few hot buttons.

For that, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

You mentioned that Chandragupt Maurya, and not Akbar was India's greatest ruler in recorded history. Since my knowledge of Indian history isn't as intimate as yours I'll also give you plenty of benefit of doubt. No argument from me. But, in the Mulghal era, Akbar did become enlightened -- sort of like the Saul / Paul persecuter / benefactor duality? Not sure. But in the early C.E. times an anti-Christian enforcer named Saul persecuted Christians, and then after he was struck by a bolt of blinding light he converted to Christianity. From what I heard of Akhbar, he converted and changed his tune from persecuting Hindus to making them central to Mulghal India's governance. But I could be misinformed as Indian history is a subject I am obviously a bit weaker on than you.

Now to the Mulghal era -- of course it was cruel. Muslims I knw who were from India often admit that and are apologetic. You could be right -- are the apoloogies a merely strategem to placate hostility? Or, are ehy heartfelt and genuine.

If Quran did not institutionalize duplicitious behavior, whining when in positions of weakness, arrogance in positions of strength, Jizya and persecution (or even murder) of non-Muslims, it would be reasonable to say that one should be optimistic in interpreting such attrition and humility. So, I hold off on siding completely with you. But I remain open-minded o your warnings and only ask that you provide more academically authoritative links.

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