Have been reading about a UP
village where Hindus and Muslims not only live in harmony but also intermarry
uninhibited by regulations of either side. They were forcibly converted by Aurangzeb but have
learnt to live happily with each other ever since.
My historical novel MASTANI
detailed the brahmin and kshtriya roots of both Peshwa Baji Rao I and his
second wife Mastani. Tragically, their offspring were railroaded into Islam
because her mother was Muslim, for political reasons.... succession and the
reigning Muslims at that time. It took three generations for them to actually
assimilate Islam.
Two centuries down the line, none
other than Lokmanya Tilak invited the Muslim branch to Pune to suggest a return
to the family fold. The attempt floundered on familiar Brahmin rocks demanding
: Will they become brahmins or ksytriyas? Who will marry their children?
It took another century for my
MASTANI to release and bring about a rapprochement between the two branches of
the Peshwa family --- on an as is, where is basis with common roots.
Another
case somewhere in Rajasthan, which again spoke of forced conversion. When they
later tried to go back to their roots, the Brahmins put a spoke in the wheel. Is that not ridiculous?
It is the religions of the Book
that believe in conversions, forced or other wise. Hinduism believes in
assimilation....has since Time Immemorial, which is what makes it such a
wonderful religion, were it not for our lunatic fringe elements who just love
love jihad!
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