Customer Reviews

Rewriting Indian History

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The book talks about Indian History from a different perspective, and gives evidences, why and how, Indian History has been distorted. The book covers history of India from Vedic period till 1996. Author's style of writing is very convincing; he is giving logical reasons for his statements. Being a journalist and correspondent for South Asia for French Newspaper "Le Figaro" in India for 30 years, Francois Gautier has observed India very well. Some of his observations are so subtle that even I (being an Indian) had missed them. In the later chapters, he gives an account of contemporary India. In the 14th chapter, he proposes a confederacy of South Asia led by India, which at this point seems distant but not unachievable. He also gives explanations why neighbors of India dislike it although India hasn't been ever an aggressor. Author has also given a good comparison of east and west in Indian context and higlights achievments of east & west. Unlike the British authors ( if you've read Percival Spears' "History of India", you will notice that British historians write Indian history in such a manner that they'd done a great favour(!) to India by ruling them. Unfortunately, there are many takers for this in India, who love India bashing not understanding the value of India.), tone is never derogatory. On the other hand, he doesn't hesitate to point out lack of collective discipline, illiteracy, etc. The book also points out the arenas such as spiritualism, Yoga ( which is spread all over the world now), which are Indian contributions to the Humanity. In summary, I would say it is the best book I've ever read on Indian History.

This is a very insightful book about problems which India faces today and why there is a need to rewrite the history of India correctly instead of hiding and distorting facts which is being done now. Although I do not agree with the author on all points, but most of his ideas are sensible and appealing to an educated reader. His suggestion of re-uniting of India and Pakistan makes a lot of sense but seems very impractical in the present situation. I hope this book will see the eyes of many readers.

It is so unfortunate that the version of history presented by the author is nowhere in the vicinity of being in a history textbook in modern day India.

This book gives us a very important point of view of Indian history. As C.J.S.Wallia writes in a review of the book:
"From my own perspective as a secular humanist, I believe that any whitewashing of historical record is counterproductive. No matter how lofty the ideals of a current cause, any whitewash of history tempts the fates. To forget history will always be fateful; to forgive its horrendous facts can be redemptive. Forgive -- but never forget -- history. A salient example of making sure that the horrors of history are not forgotten is the contemporary German state's law prohibiting any World War II history that whitewashes the holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis on the Jews, Gypsies, and Poles. The Jews rightly insist that the world must never forget what happened to them. Where is the Hindu Holocaust Museum?"

Please read it and before that have no bias.

This is a wonderful book. This is a book that every Indian should read. This book really changed my view about INDIA/HINDUISM. Thanks Francis.. I owe you for the great book about my culture.

A different perspective, confirmed by various History Channel programs. There was lots of information I was not aware of. The book contents were somewhat redundant. The translation left a lot to be desired.

The first four short chapters on Eurocentrism and disinformation about "Aryan Invasion", "Vedas", and "Caste" are the best (if brief and `light') before the book largely expresses viewpoints of Sri Auribindo updated by the author for more recent history.

The questioning of the common images of Gandhi, Nehru, Mother Teresa, and British colonial rule do make one think constructively and point up doubts abut commonly taught views. Rabid anti-Islamic generalizations however are accompanied by attacks on Christian missions, cowardly American Military fighting from distance without honor (while applauding new Indian martial spirit).

The French, Indianized, author supports Hindu Nationalism, reintegrating Kashmir and Sri Lanka, standing up to the Chinese on Tibet based on a romantic renaissance of classical Indian civilization and industry. Comparing the mission of India to that of Israel and lauding both the author is aggressive in his views. Among sources (scant indeed) he includes Nostradamus!

It is indeed annoying, weakly documented, opinionated, mostly wrong headed - but provocative!