History of Maharashtra does not begin and should not end with Shivaji

Imagine Shivaji Maharaj riding on horse with his soldiers. And, now imagine Mahatma Gandhi picking up fistful of salt to break the salt act. I am sure for most of you first image will be 'Colorful' and later will 'Black and White', that is the impact school textbooks studied in our childhood have on us..!!

We in Maharashtra are being taught Medieval History as history of Shivaji. All other events and persons are defined with reference to him. Ask any Maharashtrian boy studying in say, 9th standard "Who were the Mughals?" and he would say "Enemies of Shivaji" that is he will define Mughals with reference to Shivaji. Without realizing that Mughals have been there since 1526 that is 100 years before the birth of Shivaji. Similarly ask "Who was Ramdas?" in present Maharashtra answer will depend 'Caste' of the boy but he will surely define Ramdas in terms of and with reference to Shivaji.

So, what is the issue involved here? Issue involved here is not the doubt about greatness of Shivaji but way of understanding the History. Shivaji's contribution and Leadership is indisputable. But to equate history of Maharashtra to Shivaji is surely disputable. It is reductionist to say the least.
It denies us the large part of cultural heritage that we have inherited. It leaves me in doubt what to take of it when they say, nobody of stature of Shivaji has born in Maharashtra in last 400 years. Is this the statement of pride? I doubt. Has History of Maharashtra frozen in time and space or is it so called 'End of History'..!!

We are seldom told in our school textbooks about history of ancient Maharashtra. We take beautiful paintings of Ajanta and Rock Cut caves of Ellora at their face value without realizing their worth. Civilizational beginnings of India can be found in Maharashtra as well. From Megalithic societies of Jorwe Culture to Satavahana to Vakataka to Rashtrakutas all have contributed to growth of Maharashtra. The only Mahajanpada south of Vindhyas that is Asmaka was in Maharashtra. We have Jorwe, Pitalkhora, Diamabad, Sopara, Tager, Prathisthan, Bhogwardhan, Achalpur, Nashik, Ajanta, Ellora, Karle, Bhaje, Bedsa, Junnar and many more but we are oblivious.

Kalidasa the greatest poet was from Ramtek in Nagpur. There is every chance to say Araybhatta belonged to Maharashtra. We had Vijnaeshwar, Mukundaraj, Dnyaneshwar, Muktabai, Namdev, Janabai, Chokhamela, Eknath, Tukaram and many others.

We never understand how we become what we are. We are not told origin of our good or bad cultural traditions and ideas. Abhang, Oovi, Gavlani, Bharud, Povada, Zimma, Fugadi, Lavani, Tamasha, our clothing like Dhotar, Pagote, Saree, Choli. Bangdi. Origin, meaning and impact of our good or bad subaltern traditions e.g. Karni, Bhangamati, Bhutataki, Gondhal, Jogawa, Devdasi. Waghya-Murali, Potraj, Koli dance, Nathpanthis, Khandoba, Masoba Virashaiv, Lingayatism, Mahanubhav, apart from that significance of Warkari movement, Dindi, Palkhi, etc

There is trend of 'Saffronization' and 'Valourisation' in writing of medieval history and there is another trend of neglecting ancient Indian achievements. Though, I know ancient India was not all about achievements there we faced monumental failures as well.Young mind is not trained to ask questions and 'create' knowledge but forced to swallow what is being taught in sordid way without questioning. This hampers the development. He will we taught northern Maharashtra is called 'Khandesh' but will never be answered why is it called so? Young mind will never be taught glorious tradition of respect of women and their leadership like Satavahnas using mother's name e.g Gautamiputra Satkarni, Vasastiputra Pulumavi etc.
Prabhavati Gupta of Vakataka dyanasty, Muktabai, Janabai, Jijamata, Tarabai, Ahilyabai Holkar, Jhasi chi Rani Laxmibai, Savitribai phule etc. We will not be told why Marathawada lagged behind after being cradle of Maharashtra during Satavahana with their capital at Paithan, Vakataka, Rashtrakuta, Yadava and Bahamani? Nobody asks why are most of saints from Marathawada? Our students are not encouraged to ask why most of the medieval cities in Maharashtra are on southern bank of a river? Why all of the Asthavinyakas are in and around Pune? Why in almost all of our games one gets out if he/she crosses a line? Has it something to do with our rigidity and caste system? Why most of our architectural structures have main gateway in North direction usually called 'Delhi Darwaza' say for example in Shaniwarwada? Does it in anyway points to our ambition to control Delhi? If it points to that then why no Maharashtrian has ever became PM of country? Is it because we have predetermined nothing good can happen to Maharashtra more than Shivaji? These questions needs to be asked to make a Maharashtra that is modern and vibrant.

No importance is given to history of tribals. Gonds during medieval period created their own empire called 'Gondwana' that is not told. history and life of Bhills, Warali, Katkari, Korku, Kolam, Madia Gond needs to be documented and told to students. It is in the deccan i.e Maharashtra Urdu language emerged during Bahamani kingdom, which literally means 'Language Spoken in Military Camps'. We have beautiful sub-regional dialects like Kokani, Varadhi, Malwani, Ahirani-Khandesi etc but we are made to believe that speaking in dialect as 'lowly' act. The history books should be written to include all sections of society, in a way student understand the present world better.

We do not understand what Maharashtra is because we don't know its history. We do not have faith in our heritage which comes out self confidence, but we 'show' and just 'show' pride out fear. We in reality suffer from 'inferiority complex', we do not study, we follow to those demagogues who have not understood Maharashtra. We follow those Who beat up Indians in the name of 'Marathi' for speaking 'Hindi', but those same demagogues send their children to study in 'English' instead..!!
(I am not opposing English here)

Our understanding of History needs to be radically changed. Our present problems emerge from our way of looking at history. Understanding of present requires some understanding of past. History is continuous dialogue between past and present. To make it simple History is like reading previous years question papers. It helps us in understanding what type of questions are going to come 'this year'. (That is present times)

But to perform well in 'this year's exam' we must read question's of all 'syllabus' and not just of a single 'topic'...!!!