Manan Shah
Over a recent trend of bio-pics and rewriting historical narratives, Bollywood seems to be living in a dilemma. The new self-proclaimed historian, Kangana Ranaut, happens to patronize and present history only in the manner in which she wants, not to mention without any basics. Of course, the trend is old and quite vaguely followed by her rightist associates.
Only in the aforesaid manner, she has announced her upcoming project. The project is based on Queen Didda, the 12th-century queen of Kashmir. She mentions that queen Didda had defeated Mahmud of Ghazni, not once, but twice. However, History states something else.
“Our India has been witness to the story of many Bravehearts like Rani of Jhansi. Another such untold heroic story is that of a queen of Kashmir, who defeated Mahmud Ghaznavi not once but twice. Are getting @KamalJain_TheKJ and me,#ManikarnikaReturns: The Legend of Didda,”
Although it is true, the rule of Mahmud of Ghazni was contemporaneous to the reign of Didda, it is equally true they never engaged in a war. There is no evidence that supports Kangana’s claim of a war between the two. The 12th-century chronicle Rajtarangani by Kalhana portrays Didda as a ruthless and ambitious queen. However, even he doesn’t testify any such course of action among the two.
Since very little is known about this Queen of Kashmir, it is an easy attempt to manipulate facts and establish new opinions. At the same time, Cinema having a tremendous reach has become a good medium to promote false propaganda under the garb of ‘work of fiction’.
While many people, unfortunately, put artistic expression parallel to the historical events, it is however not only inaccurate and a mere work of fiction but also creates, promotes, and establishes the basics of new theories that stand against History.
Mahmud of Ghazni made seventeen invasions of India with an intent to loot and accumulate wealth, although some suggest the intention was also the propagation of Islamic faith. Unlike Kangna’s claim and the plot of her new movie, Mahmud’s invasion of India is supported by substantial evidence.
Kashmir historically has always enjoyed a substantially high status due to its strategic importance and it was not uncommon for rulers and principalities wanting to maintain sovereignty over the rich land. The terrain provided protection to the country and acted as its frontiers. Therefore, even if Mahmud of Ghazni had attempted to invade Kashmir, it was never an easy terrain to cross adding it, the harsh weather conditions were yet another reason to prevent the act.
Mahmud of Ghazni is often termed as an outsider or an invader. Hence, he shares a bad reputation amongst Indians and Kashmir a disputed territory, time and again has worked to invoke the nationalistic feelings of Indians and thus seems to have become easy prey to create political opinions and a successful tool to exploit the truth. Over the new age nationalism, rather pseudo-nationalism of India, manipulating history has become much easier. Kangana’s upcoming project is yet another attempt employed to create false imagery of the history of Kashmir and its people. And the intention is rather clear when it comes from the right-wing itself.
As a Kashmiri, the only positive aspect of her project according to me is her attempt to throw a light on one of the forgotten queens of Kashmir. However, as a student of Ancient history, I’m equally disappointed.