Why Turn Tipu into a Pawn?

Long before Bush and Rumsfeld, dreaming of regime change and oil, launched a blitzkrieg of misinformation about Iraq, two gentlemen - Richard Wellesley and Robert Dundas- went on a propaganda campaign of their own with their sole aim being the downfall of the ruler of Mysore- Tipu Sultan. Now why did Richard Wellesley, Governor General of India, then ruled by the East India Company, take such pains to tame a Deccan ruler, the extent of whose empire was negligible compared to that of the other historical Indian dynasties and empires? And why should India burn with such passion about him more than two hundred years later? The answer to this question lies in the dichotomy of Tipu Sultan’s life and legacy. Was Tipu Sultan a secular icon or was he a Muslim despot? Tipu Sultan was just another military ruler- imperialist in his ambitions, merciless in victory and benevolent in peacetime. He wasn’t anything Ashoka in his pre-Kalinga days wasn’t. Ideally, one should have left him at that. A few volumes in history. Facts and figures and their numerous interpretations based on economic, political and social standpoint. Unfortunately we have once again fallen prey to interpretation of hearsay, perception and cunning political maneuverings. And this perception and hearsay stems from the campaign launched by the two Company gentlemen mentioned above. Much of what was written and documented about Tipu in the days leading to his fall and later was suffused with Company propaganda. The right and reactionary of this country seem to have picked up those yellowing pages and reprinted them. To say that Tipu Sultan destroyed temples would not be incorrect. But saying only that will be a half-truth, which is more dangerous than untruth. For half truths have that iota of fact which dangerously laces deliberate propaganda with legitimacy. When the long stated defenders of Hinduism, the Marathas, ransacked and looted the Hindu matt of Sringeri in 1791, it is important to note that it was Tipu Sultan who was tasked to protect the temple and Matt, which he did. It is also well documented how he gave generous land grants to temples and Hindu clergymen. And all his life, Tipu remained a devout Muslim. His personal dharma did not clash with his rajdharma. When Tipu’s army went to battle, temples in his domain offered prayers for his victory against Hindu, Muslim and British antagonists alike. Ultimately a war for Tipu was also a war for his people, who were overwhelmingly Hindu. Had Tipu lost any of those battles, would the antagonist- Hindu or Muslim, have spared the temples and riches in his domain? Did Ashoka spare Kalinga? A strong ruler was viewed as one who would show no mercy on his enemies. It’s important to remember that royal benevolence on subjects was often directly proportional to the misery of subjugated kingdoms. The one fact that seems to have been lost in this debate about Tipu’s secularism or lack of it is his economic and political contributions. As William Dalrymple wrote, Tipu frightened the British by his zeal for economic reform and technological prowess. Tipu’s army had superior artillery than the British, his army’s flintlock rifles were better than the British matchlocks and he was importing French technology to build rockets and large guns. He was in effect creating a strong, modern and self sufficient army. His weapons were indigenously manufactured with French technology transfer and he had become and economic powerhouse by establishing trading posts abroad with the help a strong navy. His import of silkworm eggs for sericulture from Southern China to Mysore is benefitting the region even today. Had Tipu been a modern politician, he could have probably won an election or two on a developmental plank- something Prime Minister Modi never tires of paying lip service to. No wonder the British, fresh from their American debacle, saw similarities and sent the very man to vanquish Tipu who would later go on to defeat Napoleon in Waterloo- Arthur Wellesley. It is important to note the politics behind trying to paint Tipu Sultan in certain colors. The RSS lack of historical appeal, it’s dubious, approving role vis a vis the British Raj and it’s lack of leading progressive mass movements have left it with no option but to follow in the footsteps of their de-facto Western ideologues. The British had to divide and rule India to get a hold of this proud and massive subcontinent. When they left the RSS took over that legacy of divide and rule. And in the absence of true patriots or martyrs during the freedom struggle, they were left with only one option. Appropriating historical figures and misappropriating history. Under the factual narrative, the RSS stood no chance in the larger political design. Hence they needed their own. Hence while they try to misappropriate Gandhi’s legacy, they continue to eulogize his murderers. While they continue to swear by Manusmriti they try to misappropriate Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy. Their narrative of a fanatical Muslim despot about Tipu is a rapid continuation of the same false narrative. The danger of that narrative is that factual history gets sidelined and extreme reactions based on perceived history try to paint historical figures in black or white. So Tipu becomes both a secular icon and a bloodthirsty fundamentalist. As the record briefly narrated above shows he was neither. What he has become though, is a pawn in the game of current politics which only helps to divert attention from the real issues of the people. Originally published in cpim.org (November 19, 2015)

Thank you for calling........

My colleague, young impatient and a dog freak, has bought his third new phone of the year!
I have been observing an increasing trend of different consumer goods makers starting the concept of decreased free warranty and increased paid and offcourse limited warranties. This has resulted in a frivolous and unstable market, where no product is stable, and nothing stays a novelty after three to six months. Increased competiotion means that every large corporations have jazzed up their R&D and at the same time tried to cut costs. This invariably leads to a more versatile but less durable product!
An effort to influnce customer mindset: As we march into the zenith of civilization where technology starts to play a role right from ones first breath to the last; and as the free world economy aided by free market idealogoies and an increased demand for goods and services pushes the common man financialy more and more- the buying trends have started to change dramatically. A bold, but at times frivolous new generation has become impatient whats old no longer finds favor. This has forced and again helped the large corporations to propagate a use and throw mindset of the user(read consumer). By offering zero support for their older products, they effectively force the consumer to buy the newer one, thus forcing them to spend more than they originally intend. Behind every customer service call is the mindset of an upsale.
The question now comes to the mind as and when the craze for new technology dies down, which it inevitably will like others did, what would these corporations be left with. With the concept of doing pure customer service a thing of the past, will these companies be able to bring up som new trick out of their bag or will they face the same fate that Bush did post the WAR AGAINST TERROR frenzy? We already have started hearing rumblings of protest from several quarters. To counter Windows and its expensive world there is now Linux and its unabashed world of free computing! Already Android has eaten up O2 and a lot more exciting things are in store!
At least one thing never gets old- the word FREE!

Monkey and Sheila ki Jawani

So, my office came under a monkey attack last night, much to the dismay and panic of the hundred odd employees in the night shift. Well, a monkey isn't actually a thrilling proposition in an office, but what amazed me what a barely three feet creature could do to a hundred odd city bred folks!

Anyways, I was discussing the same with my colleague today and we had a good laugh about it. The driver quipped in- Well sir, its the same with cows as well. On one hand cows are worshiped, and on the other hand they are left to fend for themselves when they grow old and cannot give milk any more. All along, you will see cows standing on garbage heaps, chewing trash. That's not the way to treat your God! He was quite for some time. Then he said with a wry smile- Don't mind sir. But all my life I have been looked at with disgust by a lot of my Hindu friends because I eat beef. So much so that I gave up eating beef for a time. But at least I do not treat the cows like this. I might be a cow eating individual, but at least I do not mistreat them. Why is my way thought to be wrong and the Hindu way thought to be right then?

I frankly had no answer. I am religiously unsound, and well, so were the other colleagues in the cab. They conveniently plugged earphones into their ears and escaped the debate. I had forgotten mine in office the previous day and all i could do was look out of the window and look at stray cows looking back at me with kind and foolish expression in their eyes. Thankfully, the cab driver raised the volume of the FM stereo and any further talk was drowned by Sheila ki jawani!

Monkey Business

Today, my office came under a monkey attack. Well, in the end the monkey might challenge my claim, because ultimately it was the poor monkey which was under attack! Poor fellow!

As I stood there, watching the minor tamasha unfold, between puffs of Gold Flake and shivers, I wondered at the enormous contradictions we happily live in. The same monkey, beaten and treated as an unnecessary troublemaker by the security guards and our caretaker, would be revered by these very folks once they pass the hanuman temple down the street! Now, that's some contradiction, isn't it!

But then, it is not uncommon one might have observed. Our behavior seems to show remarkable flexibility under situations, especially of those who seem to be the most rigid in their views of life and stuff! I wonder why it is so? Rules and principles are built to aid us under duress. Then why do they change so rapidly? Perhaps you will call me stupid. Maybe its obvious! And if it is so, and we still do not put a stop to it then aren't we all stupid?