INDIAN INSTITUTE FOR TRUE HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Newsletter No. 10 of 16th June, 1983.

1. Major Events

1.1 Important New Member

Owen Luder Partnership is a well known firm of Architects in London. Mr. Owen Luder is the present President of RIBA. One of the partners of the firm Mr. Peter Williams, a Fellow of the RIBA had known about our work in India. As suggested by our Mr. Sanjay Bhide of Mumbai (Bombay) we contacted Mr. Williams and after reading Mr. Godbole's Taj Mahal Analysis Mr. Williams joined us as a life member.

1.2. Mr. Godbole and the BBC Radio 3

John Keay presented a series of five programmes entitled "India . - a Cacophony of Cultures." in January and February, 1983. He started and finished the last programme on Sunday 6 February, with reference to Mr. Godbole's letter to him. He did mention our discovery that Taj Mahal is a Hindu Temple - Palace and NOT a mausoleum and referred to Mr. Godbole's work several times.

1.3. We and The RSS

(A) While replying to our letter, Mr. Moropant Pingle (Nagpur H.Q.) has requested that we should send him regularly the copies of our Newsletter.

(B) RSS has 20 branches in U.K. - Mr. Satyanarayana of London kindly distributed copies of Mr. Godbole's article "Why Rewrite Indian History?" to them all. Mr. Dhirajbhai Shah of Birmingham, their organiser in North England responded very well. He has agreed to join us as a member. He also wanted to know how the 800 RSS workers in U.K. can help us. We have sent him a detailed reply.

(C) Our friend, Mr. G. K. Bhide, is Additional General Manager of Bharat Electronics, Pune. He was very impressed by our article "Why Rewrite Indian History?". He immediately contacted Mr. Baburao Kane and Mr. Rambhau. Sathe of RSS. Both felt very happy. Mr. Bhide feels that co-operation between our members, the RSS and the Vishva Hindu Parishad should be feasible. We have requested Dr. Bedekar to pursue the matter.

1.4. We and the Friends of India Society. International (FISI)

Friend of India Society International was started in 1976. Its object was to expose the horrors of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's emergency rule. The Society was continued afterwards to uphold the rights and dignity of Indians outside India. Dr. Mahesh Aurora, their Secretary of European Section was very pleased with our Newsletter No. 9 and the article "Why Rewrite Indian History". He called on Mr. Godbole on 10th April, 1983 and requested a shorter version of the article for the Newsletter of FISI. This was done and we hope that our research findings would find some space in every Newsletter of FISI.

1.5. We and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)

Sunday Times of India of 10 January, 1982 published an article by Nirad Chaudhari. In it he repeated the traditional view that Hindus did not venture to accept their proselytised brother back to the Hindu fold. The research of our member, Mr. Jeevan Kulkarni, of, Bombay reveals that the traditional view is wrong. He. accordingly, prepared an article entitled "Ceremonious Return to Hinduism." The editor of Sunday Times of India refused to publish it. It was published in the Masurashram Patrika of Bombay in February, 1982. When we were informed of the events by Mr. Kulkarni, we contacted Nirad Chaudhari, who now lives at 41 Harefields. Banbury Road, Oxford. (Tel No. 0865 57683). He said "I am not interested in the article of your friend. If you send it to me I will throw it in the dustbin."

Mr. Satyanarayana of London advised us to contact Mr. Gautam the editor of "Hindu Vishva" magazine of Vishva Hindu Parishad. Mr. Gautam promised to publish Kulkarni's article. He also met Mr. Godbole on 10th April. 1983. Our articles "Vishnu's Footprints in so called tombs and mosques, and Relics of Prophet Mohammed"' would be published in the July Issue of "Hindu Vishva." We hope many more of our research findings would be published in that magazine.

(1.6) 1983 - The Centenary Year

Many of us know that 1983 is the Centenary Year of the death of Karl Marx but how many of us are aware that it also marks the centenary of the birth of Veer Savarkar? He was bom on 28th May, 1883. As he was in the fore-front of India's freedom struggle his work as a historian is very often forgotten. After a thorough study for 18 months he concluded and openly declared in 1908 that the Great Revolt of 1857 was not the Sepoy Mutiny but India's War of Independence. His book, India's War of Independence 1857, was promptly proscribed by the British Government even before publication! But it was secretly printed in Holland in 1909. It soon became a bible for every Indian revolutionary and many editions were printed over next 40 years. It inspired every Indian leader. Even Nehru had to admit 50 years later "Savarkar’s book had inspired many young men of my generation".

In 1952-53 Savarkar delivered a series of lectures explaining how the current books on history of India had a strong anti-Hindu slant. He told what the true history was. The lectures were published in a book entitled "Six Great Epochs in Indian History." English translation (with the same title) was made by Mr. S. T. Godbole and published by Rajdhani Granthagar of New Delhi 110024 in 1971. There is a copy in the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Savarkar can thus be said to be the first pioneer of True Indian History. Our friend, Mr. Mukund Sonpatki, an Architect living in Wembley, has agreed to write an article on the subject for publication in Itihas Patrlka of our Thane Branch.

1983 also marks the Centenary Year of the death of Vasudev Balawant Phadke, the first revolutionary after 1857 revolt. He was sent to transportation for life to Aden in 1879 where he died in 1883. Let us not forget this freedom fighter. (Ramsingh Kuka also revolted in Punjab against the British at the same time as Phadke. But no

details are available.)

1.7. India - the birthplace of Karate

Our member from Southall. Dr. Bakhshi. has prepared a 40 minute documentary film showing how "Karate" the art of self defence originated in India. His daughter Miss Raka (age 21), stars in the film. We understand that this documentary was shown on Indian TV. A video cassette is available from Dr. Bakhshi (Tel No. 01-574-8746)

1.8. Punjab Crisis

Dr. Lalwani has been pressing for our help for more than a year. Like him. we too are extremely worried about the turn of events in Punjab. Our research would certainly help to defuse the present explosive situation. We have given Dr. Lalwani extensive quotations from Veer Savarkar's books -"Hindutva (1923), My Transportation for life (1927); Golwalkar Guruji's - Bunch of Thoughts (1966) and Malkani's "RSS Story (1977)." A booklet " Sikh-Hindu-conflict Causes and Cure" would be published by Dr. Lalwani, later this year.

1.9. Mr. Oak seems to be right once again!

In the 1980 annual report Mr. Oak says on page 71 ".....the Egyptian pyramids appear to be desert castles. Subsequent burials must not mislead scholars into believing that Pyramids were ever built to serve as mausoleums." Mr. Godbole's colleague. Les Field told him. "Mr. Oak seems to be right. I have a book at home. For some unknown reason the author works out the man-hours required for certain section of the Great Western Railway and compares it with the construction of the pyramids. He concludes that the pyramids could not have been built by the Pharohas. simply because of the man-hours required. He became very inquisitive and eventually found out that the Pharohas did exactly what the Muslim invaders did in India. They planted their dead in the pyramids, removed the old name-plates and put theirs instead. Unfortunately someone borrowed my copy of the book and I do not even remember the name of the author. But if it is found I would certainly show it to you."

1.10. Why chancre the name Institute for Rewriting Indian History?

For this year's Annual General Meeting Mr. Godbole is putting forward two resolutions. --

(A). The name Institute for Rewriting Indian History should be changed.

(B). The new name should be Indian Institute for True Historical Research. (Any similar name would be acceptable as long as it indicates that we are seeking True History.)

Many members agree with these resolutions. These include all the life members from Kanpur branch and Mr. Arvind Ghosh and Dr. Alok Kumar from U.S.A. Dr. N. K. Bhide of Delhi and Dr. A. W. Joshi of Simla agree to change the name but are not sure about the new name. We have given our reasons in Newsletter No. 6 but repeat and expand them.

In 1917, the Bolsheviks (Communists) came to power in Russia. They forced the historians to rewrite the history to suit communist ideology. They even invented Russian Scientists and credited them with inventions of other European Scientists. Hitler came to power in 1933. His Nazi party similarly directed the German historians to rewrite the history to suit Nazi ideology. All books not acceptable to them were publicly burnt. No credit was to be given to Jewish intellectuals.

U.S.A. dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima on 6th August, 1945. Russia declared war on Japan on 8th August. But the official Russian historians teach that Russia had already defeated Japan. The atom bomb was used to deprive, the Russians of any credit for the victory.

Things have not changed even today. Daily Telegraph of 22^nd November, 1982 reports. "Stalin's Purges Purged from encyclopaedia” Soviet historians have now officially ruled that Stalin's purges during which possibly 20 million died in prisons and labour camps, did not take place. The new editions of the Standard Soviet Encyclopaedia which has just gone on sale, makes no mention of the purges, although Stalin's "cult of personality” does get nine lines

Thus for last 65 years the phrase "Rewriting of History" has been associated with fabrications. perversions and falsifications .No wonder the name Institute for Rewriting Indian History arouses nothing but hostility, contempt and suspicion. As soon as we mention our discoveries the common reaction is - "You Hindus who are rewriting Indian history are bound to say such things. After all you were ruled by Muslims for 700 years. Such rewriting may make you feel better. But that is not the truth and you know it damn well!!" Ordinarily any European or Indian living in Europe (or America) just does not want to know more. It is high time we had an appropriate name - otherwise our work would be limited to our community only. We cannot fight the mass-media. Mr. Oak has now appreciated our difficulty.

1.11. How History gets twisted even today

Mrs. Vijayalaxmi Pandit is Nehru's younger sister. Her autobiography "The Scope of Happiness" was published in 1979 by Weidenfeld and Nicolson of London. On page 247 she writes ".....The frenzy of fanaticism reached a climax when Nathuram Godse, an orthodox Hindu from Maharashtra took the life of Gandhiji - (January, 1948)....... Godse was caught and stood trial for the murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and having completed the required minimum number of years, was released a short while ago.......".

NOTHING CAN BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH. Nathuram Godse and nine others were tried for conspiracy to murder. Nathuram Godse and Nana Apte were hanged in Ambala jail on 15th November 1949. Nathuram’s younger brother Gopal Godse, Karkare and Madanlal Pahwa were sentenced to transportation for life (Not life imprisonment). They were released in October, 1964.

Mrs. Pandit, like all the Congress leaders of those days is deliberately trying to hide the truth. She wants to create an impression that Gandhi's preaching of non-violence had such a profound impact on his countrymen that they did not hang even Nathuram Godse who shot and killed Gandhi. Most westerners would be easily fooled so would many Indians living outside India and especially those born after 1948. Mr. Godbole wrote to Mr. Gopal Godse and asked him to take up the matter with the publishers. That was in December, 1980. He agreed. But despite our correspondence and reminders in August '81, March '82, June '82, December '82 he did not send the promised letter. Thus even after 2 ½ years false history remains unchallenged and that too by the younger brother of Nathuram Godse; No wonder our history continues to be falsified even today.

1.12. BBC (TV) and Mr. Oak

On 10th November, 1982 BBC1 presented a programme "Reporting India" by their reporter in India, Mark Tully. He repeated the traditional lies about Ahmedabad (Karnavati). As soon as Mr. Oak heard about it he wrote to Mr. Tully. A typical British reply was received. Mr. Tully wrote:

8th December, 1982

Dear Mr. Oak,

Thank you for your letter and for your interesting observations on Indian History. I was aware of the prosecution Launched against the shop next to the Ahmedabad Jama Masjid, (i.e. K. C. Brothers) because we filmed from there. I realise that there were several earlier cities on site of Ahmedabad, as there were indeed on the site of modern Delhi. In a Television documentary however it is not possible to go into too much history (in other words we know the truth but we will not report it). I am sure you will agree that the Mosque is now being used as a Muslim place of worship.

With Kind Regards

Yours sincerely

Mark Tully

Chief of Bureau

Many of our members also complained to Mark Tully, some talked to him on phone. Eventually he called on Mr. Oak on 15th March, '83 and had one hour discussion with him. He may not do anything but at least he has been made aware of our work. His address is - Mark Tully

1 Nizamuddin East

New Delhi 110013

India

2. Research Findings

2.1. Jahanqir's Religious Intolerance

When Jahangir visited Kashmir he wrote - "On Friday the 8th Rajaur was the camping ground. The people of this country were in old times Hindus .....Sultan Firuz made them Muhammadans......They ally themselves with Hindus and both give and take girls. Taking them is grood but giving them. God forbid! I gave an order that hereafter they should not do such thing and whoever was guilty of them, should be capitally punished....."

(Tazuk - i - Jahangiri. Translated by Alexander Rogers, edited by Henry Beveridge. Published by Royal Asiatic Society of London. Part II 1914, pages 180 - 181)

2.2. Shah Jahan's Religious Intolerance

In Bhimbar, a district of Kashmir, Hindus and Muslims used to intermarry and the wife, whatever might have been her father's creed, was burnt or buried (on her death) as her husband happened to be a Hindu or Islamite. But in October, 1634, Shah Jahan forbade the custom and ordered that every Hindu who had taken a Muslim wife must either embrace Islam and be married anew to her or he must give her up to be wedded to a Muslim. This order was rigorously enforced. (Badshahnama of Abdul Hamid Lahori I.B.57)

Ref;- History of Aurangzeb by Jadunath Sarkar, 1912. Vol.1, pp 62/ 63 footnote.

So make no mistake, a Muslim, be he Jahangir or Jinnah, Shahjahan or Surharvardy, has always got only one thing in his mind – to increase the Muslim population of India. Are we never going to learn from history?

2.3. Science and Technology in India - The Forgotten Past

2.3.1. Embryo Transplant

The birth of Mahavir Jain was no ordinary birth. An embryo was transplanted from the womb of his natural mother, Devananda to the womb of Queen Trisala. Pictures depicting this transfer are displayed in British Museum (Oriental Gallery) and Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Indian Section).

A full article on the subject appeared in the Nov - Dec. 1980 issue of the Medical Journal "Fertility and Sterility" published in America. The title is - Historical Note on Embryo Transfer 599 B.C.

Authors - Frank M. Guttman and Herta A. Guttman. (Further details from Mr. Godbole)

2.3.2 Plastic Surgery in India before the British Raj

Cowasjee, a Maratha was a bullock-driver with the English army in the war of 1792 and was made a prisoner by Tippoo Sultan who cut off his nose. For about a year he remained without a nose when he had a new one put on by a surgeon in Poona. Two British doctors, Mr. Thomas Cruso and Mr. James Trindlay, witnessed the operation. This was in 1793. And such operations were quite common and successful in those days.

Full details appear in the "Gentleman's Magazine" of October, 1794. See - Letters to the editor. A copy of the Magazine is available in the library of the Wellcome Institute for History of Medicine, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BP. Mr. Godbole has a copy.

2.3.3. Anatomy in India before the British Raj

During the Festival of India (March - August. 1981) the Science Museum, London arranged a special section dealing with Science in India, it showed two articulated human skeletons carved for King Serfroji of Tanjore; one of Ivory and other of Sandlewood. (around 1805 - 1810) it being considered un-auspicious to keep human bone skeletons. This shows clearly that anatomy was studied in India before the British Raj was established (Source - Krishna Ram Institute of Anatomy, Andhura Medical College, Visakhapattam, India)

2.3.4. Metallurgy in India

In "Science in India" we saw details of how various metals were extracted. Under ZINC we were informed - It seems fairly certain that knowledge of zinc distillation came to West from India. Evidence of zinc smelting dating from the 13th century has been found at Zawar in Rajasthan where zinc is still being produced.

2.35. Shipbuilding in India for East India Company and British Navy

Would you believe that Indians used to build warships for East India Company and the British Navy? We find the following information in Murray's Handbook to India and Ceylon 1891.

In 1735 a vessel was built at Surat for East India Company and an officer despatched from Bombay to inspect it. Being much pleased with the skill and intelligence of the Parsi foreman, Lowji Naushirwanji.............this officer endeavoured to persuade him to leave Surat and take charge of Bombay.............from that day to this the Superintendence of the (Bombay) docks has been wholly in Lowji's family...............in1771 two grandsons of Lowji, Framji Manikji and Jamshidji Bahmanji entered the dockyard.........In 1774 Lowji died............Manikji succeeded him as master-builder and Bahmanji was appointed his assistant and the two managed the docks with increased success. They built two fine ships of 900 tons....... Bahanji died in 1790......and Manikji two years afterwards....... Their sons succeeded them. Jamshidji in 1802 built the Cornwallis frigate for the East India Company and his success determined the Home Government to order the construction of ships for the Royal Navy at Bombay. In consequence of his talents, he was permitted to have the sole supervision as master builder. In 1805 the dockyard was enlarged and in 1820 the Minden, 74, built entirely by Parsis was launched and about the same time the Cornwallis, 74, of 1767 tons. Subsequently the Wellesley, 74, of 1745 tons- the Malabar, 74; the Seringapatam, and many other ships of war were built; including the Ganges, 84, the Calcutta, 86 and the Miami of 86 guns. All these vessels were made of teak and have sufficiently proved the lasting quality of that wood. It has been said that a teak ship will last from four to five times as long as one of English oak. The old Lowji Castle, a merchant-man of about 1000 tons is known to have made voyages for nearly three quarters of a century.

The British ship SEAHORSE with Nelson (then only 16 years old) on board arrived in Bombay in 1775. Abraham Parsons an old Skipper from Bristol, was also on board and he notes - ".......Ships built at Bombay are not only as strong, but as handsome and well finished as ships built in any part of Europe- the timber and plank of which they are built, so far exceeds any in Europe for durability that it is usual forships to last 50 to 60 years, as a proof of which I am informed that the ship called the BOMBAY GRAB of 24 guns (the second in size belonging to the Company's Marine) has been built more than 60 years, and is now a good and strong ship........"

(Ref:- Travels in Asia and Africa by the Late Abraham Parsons Esq. printed in 1808 by Longmans. London )

Murray's Handbook tells us that ships were also built in Cochin in those days, but no details are given.

A careful look at our past reveals that we lost to the English, NOT because we were backward in Science and Technology, but because of other, completely different reasons. The sooner we learn the better.

3. Historical Notes

3.1. Nur Jahan was Nur Mahal

It seems that Nur Jahan was originally Nur Mahal. She got the name Nur Jahan in about 1617. .Jahangir says ".....on the same day I ordered Nur Mahal Begum to be called Nur Jahan Begum...."

(Ref:- Tazuk - i - Jahangiri, translated by Alexander Rogers, edited by Henry Beveridge. Published by Royal Asiatic Society of London Part I 1909 page 319)

3.2. Raja Jai Singh

Many people have asked us - who is this Raj Jai Singh mentioned in Badshahnama Volume I pages 402/403? Is he the same person who fiercely attacked Shivaji, on the orders of Aurangzeb, in 1665? The answer is yes. The Family Tree is given below:-

		No1	Sodu
		No. 24	Raja Biharilal alias Bharmal
	No. 25	Bhagwandas	Bhagwat Das	Jagannath
				Jagannathots
	No. 26	Man Singh
No 27 Bhao Singh	Jagat singh	Sakat singh	Himmat singh	Durjan Singh	Kalyan Singh
	Maha Singh	Jhujhar Singh
No 28	Jai Singh (1609 - 1667)

Thus Raja Jai Singh was the great grandson of Raja Man Singh. He was 23 years old when Taj Mahal was grabbed from him by Shahjahan.

(Ref:- Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana, Edited by Col. G. H. Trevor, Govt. Printing Press Calcutta. 4th edition 1916 page 70)

3.3. Diaries of Sir Charles Mallet

Sir Charles Mallet -was the Resident at Peshwa's court in Poona during 1786 to 1797. His descendant Col. Sir Edward Mallet (age 76) now lives at Ghargot, Watchet, Taunton, Somerset; Tel. No. 098-44751. He has various articles belonging to Sir Charles Mallet, including some paintings and diaries, though 106 diaries (1770-1815) were sold to the India Office Library, some seven years ago. (India Office Library Reference No. MSS/BUR/S149) - We are grateful to Mr S. Aptikar of Southend-on-Sea for this information.

4 Work of our members and friends

4.1. Dr. K. T Lalwani (01-455-3889)

During his last visit to India he met Mr. Malkani, the editor of the RSS Weekly "Organiser" of New Delhi. He convinced Mr. Malkani about the validity of our conclusions on Taj Mahal. As suggested by Dr. Lalwani we sent a copy of Taj Mahal Analysis to Mr. Malkani.

He also tried to persuade the Maharaja of Jaipur to give us copies of the documents R176 and R177 but without success. The Maharaja would rather break their friendship than given him the copies of those documents.

4.2. Mr. Mukund Sonpatki (01-904-2427)

This Maharashtrian Architect has written a book in Marathi on Veer Savarkar's stay in London (1906 - 1910). He wishes to publish an English edition and has asked for our suggestions for improvement. This was done. Mr. Sonpatki carried out his research work during 1968 - 1978. He found out that among the secret files kept in the India Office Library there were two of particular interest.

(1). Z/L/PS/7/35/1909 Dept. No. 1785 a

Subject - Information on Madam Cama, Rana., Savarkar., Hardayal

Govind Amin, V.V.S lyer, M.P. T-Acharya.

Transferred to P and J(S) on 24.Feb.l924.

(2). Z/L/PS/7/34/1908 Dept. No. 1155 a

Subject - Indians in U.S.A.

Movements of Hemchandra Das, Subhas Chandra

Bose should be watched. Ram Jivan Abbas, Varma

Transferred to P and J(S) on 12.Nov.1924.

Initially, Mr. Sonpatki was informed that these files cannot be seen as they come under the 75 year rule. But when he asked again this year, he was refused permission to see these files. When he applied in writing, Martin Moir the Deputy Archivist replied that these papers may have been destroyed some years ago.

(25. Feb. 1983)

Note - Thus 17 years after the death of Veer Savarkar The British Government is not only keeping files on him secret, they are destroying them; No wonder British historians play down the importance of revolutionaries, and praise Gandhi and Nehru only all the time.

4.3. Mr. Arvind Pradhan (01 - 863 - 5738)

Two articles on India by Michael McNay were published the Guardian of 4th and 5th January, 1983. All the traditional lies about Kutb Minar, Red Forts at Agra and Delhi, Taj Mahal etc. were repeated. We thoroughly discussed these articles and gave full details to Mr. Pradhan. But due to pressure of work no letter could be sent to the editor of Guardian. It is for such reasons that we should act as a group and not as individuals.

Mr. Ali Ozveren is a member of the RIBA and a colleague of Mr. Pradhan. He says "Your research on Taj Mahal is not new to me. In Turkey we are taught in schools that Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu Temple and that it was converted into a mausoleum by Shahiahan. Unfortunately, I have no connection with Turkey any longer.

4.4. Mrs. Chhaya Korde (0256 - 796277)

She knows the editor of the Marathi weekly MANOOS of Pune and therefore requested him to publish Mr. Godbole's article on Taj Mahal. Mrs. Nirmala Purandare, Assistant Editor replied. She said "Mr. Godbole's article is very interesting and I will certainly show it to my husband (the well known historian Babasaheb Purandare) and Mr. Majgaokar the editor. But as the weekly is mainly concerned with current affairs, we cannot publish the article."

Note - We wish people were at least more honest. Articles by Dr. Abhyankar of the Indian Rationalist Association can be published. But the same rational thinking cannot be extended to Taj Mahal, It is perfectly in order to repeat false Indian History under the pretext of reviewing books like Samande- - Talash.

(5th June, 1982) Mr. Majgaokar himself has written articles like " Towards True History (15th Aug. 1981)." But, Mr Godbole's article on Taj Mahal? ' Good Lord; That is irrelevant.

4.5 Mr. Shreeram Marathe (01 - 650-0153)

Just 4 years ago, this Architect was arguing with us "Why do you need a foundation for a building like Taj Mahal? You start building and it just comes up. Do you know that the famous St. Paul's Cathedral in London has no foundation at all?"

Now he is convinced that Taj Mahal is not a mausoleum but a Hindu Temple Palace.

4.6 Dr. Alok Kumar (California State University)

He has promised us a set of good slides of Taj Mahal when he visits India. We have sent him a copy of our tourist guide and full details of the slides we require - about 100, even if permission to see the locked portions is not granted. Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D in X-ray Spectroscopy and he is deeply interested in exploring science and technology in the Vedas. He has written some articles on the subject with our another member, Dr. A. W. Joshi.

4.7 Mr. Ashok Athavale (Kanpur, India)

He has been working as our active member in Kanpur for last six years. Following our suggestion, he has now become our life-member. We have asked him to compile a summary of the work done by the Kanpur Centre.

4.8 Mr. Hemant Gokhale (Kanpur, India)

He recently visited Indonesia for a business trip and was surprised at what he found there. Though that country was forcibly converted to Islam by Arab invaders in 13th Century, it retains its Hindu culture very much in tact. Ramayana and Mahabharat are regarded as sacred books and are taught compulsorily in schools. Indonesian language has 20% Dutch and 80% Sanskrit words. On electrical pylons one finds the Sanskrit; word bhay (danger). But in India we use the Urdu word khatara

The names Ram, Vishnu, Indra, Vidyadhar, Jal, Damayanti; are quite common. Big cities are called Nagaras. Small cities are termed KOAT as in India (Pathankot, Sialkot, Rajkot)

Mr. Gokhale is preparing an article on the Red Fort at Agra for Itihas Patrika of our Thane branch. We have told him of our predicament. We cannot push the British Scholars too far. They can say "why don't you convince your own scholars?. We may not have done the Archaeological Survey of Taj Mahal, but why has not your Government carried it out for last 36 years? Hindus are 80% of India's population. Why don't they insist on opening up the sealed basements of Taj Mahal? If you yourself are so impotent, why should we bother? People of Ceylon changed the name of their country to Shree Lanka, now we do call it Shree Lanka. You change Poona. to Pune, we do call it Pune."

Would our friends in India realise why we have to be so diplomatic in Britain?

4.9 Mr. Jeevan Kulkarni (Bombay)

1. Further to our Newsletter No. 9 we have no news of the court case - "Shree" weekly of Bombay versus Government of Maharashtra. But Mr. Kulkarni has now filed a suit for libel against The Sunday Observer and the Urdu daily Hindustan. He is asking them to apologise for having made statements like - "Jeevan Kulkarni a well known opponent of Islam and whole timer communalist is assisting Shree. His Institute has published Communal books like Taj Mahal is a Hindu Temple Palace."

2. In December, 1982 he delivered a lecture on "Pre-Islamic Hindu Religion in

S. Arabia" in Pandharpur city. Police tried to ban it but without success. Some 1500 people attended.

3. He informs us that Savarkar's famous book Mazi Janmathep was translated in English by Mr. Dhananjay Keer published by Sadbhakti Prakashan, Bombay in 1950. The English title is "My Transportation for Life." It describes the horrors of prison life in Andaman (Kalapani) where Savarkar was kept during 1910 - 1921.

4. He has agreed to go to the State Records Office near Elphinstone College, Bombay and tell us what sort of records are available there. We understand that it contains papers as far beck as the days of East India Company.

5. The editor of "Shree" weekly has not yet published any articles by Mr. Kulkarni.

6. Mr. Godbole's 'chronology of events leading up to Gandhi's assassination" has been examined by Balarao Savarkar; personal secretary of Veer Savarkar. It may be published in the English weekly Mirror of Bombay.

7. Ranjan magazine of Bombay has been publishing Mr. Kulkarni's articles regularly, since February '83. He is also doing some editing work for the magazine. He has asked us to write some articles for the magazine. We have asked him to feel free to use material from our Newsletters for use in the magazine.

8. He also informs us that Dr. Ambedkar has written a preface to "Essence of Buddhism" by P. Laxmi Narsu. (Third edition, Tacker and Co. Ltd., Bombay 1948). On page 111 the author says ".....Ever since Alexander the Great conquered and humiliated India, her sovereigns have always been foreigners.........Not only have the Hindus lost all power of resisting foreign invasion, they have sunk into a state of intellectual immobility......." It is astonishing how an eminent Scholar like

Dr. Ambedkar was carried away by such down right lies.

9. Mr. Kulkarni also informs us that the book "India's First War of Independence 1857-58" by Karl Marx is very interesting.

10. We have requested him to keep a detailed account of his activities. At the moment nobody does it and it is a great loss for future.

4.10 Dr. N. K. Bhide (New Delhi)

In a letter of March '83 he writes........... I think we all suffer from middle-class limitations. To get great new ideas and great new generalisations accepted by the Society, requires cool aristocratic patience which we lack. We insist in remaining emotionally tense, jittery and tactless in approach..........All this happens not because we are saying something wrong, but because we say it in emotional histrionic tones. I give below a few questions commonly asked to Mr. Oak, the replies given by him or his colleagues and the only correct replies that should have been given in my opinion.

4.10. (a). Why historians in your country do not accept your propositions?

Reply given - Vested interest, cowardice, jealousy , incompetence, lethargy, dishonesty.

Reply which must be given is -

The matter is just now introduced to the historians and other intellectuals. They must be given their own time to decide.

(Our comments - Mr. Oak had put forward most of his propositions at the Indian History Congress of 1963. How can we say the matter has been introduced just now? Our reply would be - We cannot speak on behalf of other historians. It would be more appropriate if you were to ask this question to them and let us know what their answer is)

(b). If you are not accepted by Indian Historians, is it not a disqualification of your theories?

Answer given - Same as for question (a) above.

Reply that must be given –

Yes, the Indian Historians have not accepted my thesis But what is at least as important is that they have not disproved my thesis by factual evidence.

(Our reply - Many times we find that new discoveries, inventions and theories are not accepted by scholars in their field for several decades. Set aside what you have been traditionally told, examine all the details carefully, analyse all the evidence logically and you will come to the same conclusion as we have, that is the real taste of the validity of our research. Rejection of my theories by Indian Historians, without giving any reasons, is NOT a disqualification at all;)

(c). Has any one in the Archaeological Department accepted your version?

Reply given - "Vested Interests" etc. as for question (a) above

Correct reply that must be -

They will take their own time to consider my challenges and what is important is that they have not disproved my facts and major inferences.

(Our reply - Archaeological Survey of India Officials are not free to make their own interpretations, as people innocently believe. They have to strictly follow the official line. It will be an interesting experience for you to write to them and ask if they have ever done an Archaeological Survey of Taj Mahal? If not, why not? If you do get a reply we would be most interested to see it)

(d). How is it that Muslims did not build any outstanding structures in India?

Mr. Oak's answer - They had no architects. They were barbarians and destroyers.

The appropriate answer would be –

India then was filled with fabulous monuments and there was not need to build anything new. The only thing the Muslim conquerors had to do was to decide which town or building etc. etc. was to be confiscated, vandalised and misused. If they had their own architects, we would have seen many and older prototypes of Taj Mahal, and Red Forts of Agra and Delhi, in Arabia, Persia, Afghanistan, Mongolia or Central

Asia.

(Our comments - The chronicles of various Muslim rulers do not mention building of any monuments. It is their descendents who make such claims two / three generations later. On the contrary even 17^th and 18th century European travellers do mention conversions of Hindu buildings to Mosques and Tombs. If the Muslim rulers had any Muslim Architects why would they keep on simply converting Hindu buildings instead of building new structures?)

We are very grateful to Dr. Bhide for his valuable suggestions and we do hope that his guidance would be available in future.

4.11 Prof. D.D. Mishra (l I T Kharagpur, W. Bengal)

Many of us are aware that the entire chronology of important events of Indian History needs revising. Prof. Mishra sent us a copy of the correct chronology of major events, as prepared by Babasaheb Apte Smarak Samiti of the RSS. We would use the correct dates as far as possible.

5. News and Current Affairs

5.1 Members

Due to the efforts of Mr. Godbole, we have four new members. Their addresses are

1. Mr. Peter Williams FRIBA Owen Luder Partnership 96 St. Georges Square LONDON SW1 U.K. Home Address; 15 Gold Tops Newport Gwent U.K.	3. Dr. M. K. Godbole 11 Lower Fordway Healey ROCHDALE (Tel No. 0706 -53747) U.K.
2. Dr. Atul B. Joshi Leicester General Hospital Gwandalan Road LEICESTER (Tel No. 0533 73022) LK54 PW U.K..	4. Mr. Mohan L. Gupta 84 Hillmer Road Cambridge N1R 6B6 Ontario CANADA

Dr. Sapatnekar has gone back to India permanently. We have thus 26 members in U.K.

5.2 R.S.S. Warns against doctoring of History

The last Pratinidhi Sabha resolution dealt with NCERT plans to rewrite Indian History.........It took exception to not calling invaders as aggressors and to discontinue glorifying any past period as a golden period.

History of a nation is not just a catalogue of the rise and fall of its ruling dynasties and wars inter se; it embodies the inspiring Saga of the people's ideals and aspirations of their peerless valour and mighty achievements and the endless penance and martyrdom of their saints and heroes. It also carries the lessons and warnings of their past generations, their blunders and perversions, their defeats and lapse. Clearer the mirror of history, brighter and truer will be the nation's image reflected therein. Just pride in all that is good and great in the past, coupled with genuine penitence for the past faults and failures, can alone spur us to strive for a glorious future and save us from the previous pitfalls.

The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha strongly condemned the "present attempt at abusing history for pampering certain section, as such misplaced appeasement will only further sharpen their separatist tendencies. We are even now witness to the disastrous trends and thought - currents set in motion by wilful perversions introduced in our historical records by the Britishers. It is indeed tragic in the extreme that in place of rectifying them, efforts should be made to distort them further." The Pratinidhi Sabha strongly urged the Government to "desist from interference in a sphere which rightfully belongs to the true seekers of truth dedicated to that field."

(Ref: Organiser weekly of New Delhi 28th March, 1982. Resolution of the Pratinidhi Sabha meeting of the RSS held at Nagpur 20/21 March, 1982.)

5.3 News from our Thane Branch

5.3.1-. Dr. Bedekar and his friends have prepared a timetable for all their activities during the year 1983. The venue/subject and speakers for every meeting have been predetermined. The important ones are:

10th July, 1983.

Subject - Discussion on John Keay's book "India Discovered".

Speaker - Subhash Joshi.

11^th September, 1983.

Subject - Review of Newsletters published by Mr. Godbole during 1982 and 1983.

Speaker - Vijay Taskar.

13th November, 1983

Subject - Information in various Newspapers and Magazines about various historical subjects.

Speakers - Uttam Joshi and Jagdish Pradhan.

We have suggested that one meeting must be held to discuss "Veer Savarkar - the first pioneer of True Indian History." Preferably on Saturday the 28th May, 1983.

5 5.2. Their quarterly journal Itihas Patrika has improved remarkably. M/s Mukesh Patel, Gidwani, Godbole and Dr. Lalwani have decided to subscribe for it. If you wish to do the same please contact Mr. Godbole. (Tel No. 0234 - 57388). Other subscribers include Dr. G.V. Ghelvapilla from U.S.A. and Prof. G.B. Mishra of Physics Department, IIT Kharagpur.

5-5.5. The seminar on "Dance and Drama in Hindu Tradition" held on 5 April 1983 was a great success and was well reported in many newspapers, weeklies and magazines. Some 450 delegates took part, among them were Dr G.K. Bhat, Dr G.H. Taralekar, Dr P.P. Apte, Mrs Kamak-Rele, Mrs Sucheta Bhide, Mrs Rohini Bhate. At the beginning of the seminar Dr Bedekar told the delegates that Mr Peter Williams an English Architect and a fellow of the RIBA has joined us as a life member, after reading Mr Godbole's article on Taj Mahal. This was quite a surprise to them. One by one various scholars are coming to the conclusion that our arguments are based on a thorough study and are substantiated by formidable evidence, they are not just based on speculation, wishful thinking and emotions. They are therefore offering their full co-operation for various programmes.

5.5.4. Mr S.D Kulkami, retired Additional Commissioner of Sales Tax, Maharashtra has joined us as a life member. He has been working in the field of Ancient Indian History for several years.