Some books are to be tasted, some to be chewed and others to
be digested. This one had me chewing the information without undue haste and
verily digesting the unpalatable truths regarding our history of incessant
invaders and their unsavoury deeds. This is first book on some aspect of
history that I have read after the mandatory reads at school. But I wish I had
read something as written by Ms Meenakshi Jain as she has explained the details
in simple language, starting with interesting factoids about how religious
customs were back in the days, evolving into how we perceive and conduct them
in the present time. From elaborate complex rituals to one that is less
elaborate, more intimate and profound, and yet we still follow some of them to
this day. This is duly corroborated by the various archaeological evidences as
well as the ancient sacred texts of the Vedas.
The present book shines a light on a historical journey of
the city of Mathura with the help of the many archaeological finds from this
place as well endorsed by finds from secondary places/sources. For example it
is interesting to note that the ritual culture of images developed
simultaneously within Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism in the city of Mathura.
This can be seen in the earlier images of Vishnu, Bodhisatva Maitreya and
Mahavira that are similar in construction. The art in these three traditions
had similar elements such as sacred trees, stupas, railings, chakras etc.
The book also focuses on the advent of the Bhagwata religion
whence Sri Krishna rose in prominence among all deities and the eventual
merging of Krishna Vasudev with Vishnu as same entity. The author has
referenced several ancient texts to bring out some historical events that
occurred in Krishna Vasudeva’s lifetime. This book is rightly a testament of
the fact that not only is Mathura indeed the place where Sri Krishna was born
and spent his childhood but the place where he was actually delivered- the karagrah or the jail where his uncle the
king Kamsa had imprisoned his parents, is very much there for all to see in
what was the great Keshavadeva temple.
That Mathura held a position of prominence is attested to by
the writings of the many travelers like the French merchant Jean Baptiste
Tavernier, Mahmud Balkhi from Central Asia, the Italian Niccolao Manucci etc.
It is through their writings that we come to know how the devotees conducted
their daily routine as well as tell us about the grandeur of Katra Keshavdeva
temple.
And then came the Hindu downfall with the marauding attacks
of Islamic invaders like Mahmud Ghaznavi, Aurangzeb who razed to ground the
grand Keshavdeva temple, killing thousands of peaceful people. The temple was
built and re-built multiple times following its destruction time and again. It
is this temple that has been in recent news better known as the
‘Krishnajanmsthan’ being claimed by the Muslim side. The latter part of the
book is devoted to details about the various court hearings and verdicts
delivered- all in favour of the temple. Presently, fresh case has been filed in
2020 on behalf of Bhagwan Shree Krishna for full rights over the place.
