Is there such a thing as a Hindu intellectual? Hindus have never had an
intellectual tradition like the Chinese.
Intellectual inquiry and scholarship was held back by the caste system
that handed authority to the Brahmins (priestly caste)
who exercised authority over the others. In addition, essential records
were not maintained by the rulers.
Then at the start of the Second Millennium, Hindustan was subject to a
stream on invasions from the North West by sporadic Muslim groups.
Then in the 16th century, the Mughals took over much of the country for
nearly 300 years and they were followed by the British for another 200
years.
As a result, Hindus had no opportunities for governance and acquired few
skills in science or engineering. So their expertise in building complex
structures was limited.
The people sought consolation from their epics (Ramayana & Mahabharata)
and in religious rituals.
Temples and gurus became dominant influences.
The caste system was in force and the lower castes were subject to
severe discrimination.
Gruesome practices like Sati were imposed on Hindu women: widows had to
immolate themselves on their husband’s pyre. It was left to the British
to eradicate this barbarous practice.
There was little interest in scientific inquiry or philosophical
thinking. No intellectual base to construct theories and ideologies. No
formal education systems nor institutions for scholarly discourse were
set
up. And therefore no innovation, no invention.
Abu al-Biruni (c973-1048), a Persian scholar had accompanied the invader
Mahmud of Ghazni (998-1030) and he observed Hindu ways. He wrote“The so
called
scientific theorems of the Hindus are in a state of utter confusion,
devoid of any logical order and always mixed up with huge numbers and
all kinds of religious dogmas…"
Arundhati Roy has commented extensively on India. In her book, The Cost
of Living (Modern Library, 1999), she wrote:
”On the world arena, India is paid scant attention and remains one of
the most misunderstood and uncelebrated countries on earth.
The Indian elites have long been frustrated & their egos bruised by
their failure to meet with the American and European elites on equal
terms and to earn the respect they crave…"
More recently, Ms Roy had this to say:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1319901310989312002
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Eddie
