Source: www.youtube.com
KAUAI, HAWAII, August 30, 2009: Hinduism Today magazine published the third in its series of lessons on Hindu and Indian history in its October, 2009, issue. The 16-page lesson is available as a PDF file for download at: https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfchannel/index.php?wfc_cid=20, with an introduction and overview of the lesson on YouTube at the “source” above.
This third lesson cover the period of foreign invasion and domination from 1100 to 1850 ce. This is a difficult time of Indian history, where foreign invaders caused great destruction and many deaths over a number of centuries. The period is presented in an accurate historical perspective and the aim to bring understanding to children of this violent period without creating new animosities.
The lesson, written for 6th grade social studies use in American schools, covers the political , social and religious developments of the time. It includes accounts of the major rulers, the advent of the East India Company, the Bhakti movement, the attempts at conversion of Hindus by both Muslims and Christians, and a section of the arts including painting, music, dance and architecture.
The lesson was written in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, professor emeritus of history at the University of California Northridge and reviewed by qualified academics and community leaders.
Dr. Michael K. Ward, visiting lecturer in history at CSUN wrote of the lesson:
“I am impressed with the sincere honesty and frankness expressed in the text regarding the tragic violence of invasion, conquest, and colonization of India. What this booklet on Indian history successfully does is to state the history of Muslim through British invasions in India and the associated destructiveness in a way that beautifully allows indigenous/ Hindu perspectives (or agency, as we historians like to emphasize) to come through. I particularly like the message of cultural persistence and continuity that this history conveys. This pamphlet also wonderfully recognizes the ability of school children to grasp true meanings in history and culture. Sometimes, we omit too much information from our children in our desire to protect them; doing so harms them and disrespects their intellect.”