Book Review [152] : Aavaran - The Veil

In December 2007 i along with Saugata, Ravi Bhushan and Divya Alok made a trip to Hampi and stayed there for couple of days. The ruins were mesmerizing and were on gigantic scale. I am a keen history student but was never taught about this great Empire. The great Vijayanagar Empire that controlled the entire South Indian for more than 200 years (1336 - 1565) roughly the duration of Mughal Empire had very few para for it in any standard history book.

'Aavarana' written by S. L. Bhyrappa is a great but painful read. It slowly and gradually removes the veil of political correctness that engulfs our nation's academia and exposes the brutal nakedness of our medieval history. I have been to Kashi Vishwanath Temple (i studied in that city for four good years) and visited that great Temple only twice while studying. When i saw the Nandi Statue looking towards the Gyanvapi Mosque i cried and i was broken from inside. I did not get that shock when i visited Krishnajanmbhoomi Temple in Mathura. I have not been to Ayodhya even once. I remember my first trip to Mysore in Dec 2003. When i touched Srirangapatnam i took the soil of the land and kept it in my purse out of the respect for Tip Sultan. My entire family became a huge fan of Tipu Sultan after watching 'The Sword of Tipu Sultan' in early 90s. But as they say 'Truth is stranger than fiction' and it is indeed true most of the times.

Islamic Invasions of Sub-Continent starting from Sindh to the last of Durrani always brought massacres, rapes, slavery, temple destruction and large scale conversion in its wake. It was true in the time of Mohammad Bin Qasim and it was true in time of Ahmad Shah Durrani. The unfortunate part is that it did not stop even when the reign of invaders got firmly established. The brutality continued though with few notable interruption.  No one can defend them and no one should defend them. But yet our intellectuals have made excuses to justify their gory actions. This book is about this ugly politics. Its a must read book. Highly Recommended (10/10)