Irfan Habib, noted Historian while speaking in JNU commented
on the recent issue of nationalism that Bharat Mata is not even Indian. According
to Habib, ‘Bharat Mata’ was an import from Europe and there was no evidence of
any such imagination in either ancient or medieval India. So, did the idea of
‘Bharat Mata’ come from Britannia? In the 2nd century, Roman Britannia came to
be personified as a goddess, armed with a trident and shield and wearing a
Corinthian helmet. She sat on a lion too. It is a European import. Notions of
motherland and fatherland were talked about in Europe.

Analysis

First of all I feel pity of the incompetent and deficient
knowledge of Irfan Habib. He seems to be driven by the mindset approach of
Islam. He must possess rational and scholarly approach in dealing with such
sensitive issues.

Second my belief which is becoming stronger day by day that
any person sitting on Historian post should stop claiming his or herself as
specialist of all subjects. This habit has caused biggest harm to Humanity.
History is being defined on the basis of opinion of majority of historians especially
associated with communist and Marxist school of thought rather than on the
basis of true evidences. If a person is historian he need not be orientalist.
If a person is Orientalist he need not be a Sanskrit scholar. If a person is
Sanskrit scholar he need not be a scholar of Vedas. If a person is scholar of
Vedas he need not be an Archeologist. If a person is Archeologist he need not
be Indologist. But anyone concerned with these jobs will try to project themselves
as specialist and perfect scholar in all fields. Irfan Habib, Romila Thaper,
Wendy Doniger, Sheldon Pollock, Bipin Chandra et al seems to be suffering from the
same “All-Specialist Syndrome”. Truth is that this class of historians should
refrain from commenting in such topics in which they have superficial or
deficient knowledge.

Third Irfan Habib seems to be partially correct in saying
that the idea of Bharat Mata is not even Indian. In reality it’s Universal. For
any person in the World the land where he first opens his eyes, first inhales
its air, eat and drink its food to survive, it’s like his mother. Motherland is
like care-taker to anyone. As mother takes care of its baby in similar way
motherland takes care of humans. That’s the logic behind the concept of
Motherland. Now analyzing your claims of Bharat Mata to be imagined in 2nd
century I will like to quote ‘’Prithvi Sukt’ from 12th Chapter of
Atharveda. This Sukt explains that our Motherland provides us with all comforts,
bless us with prosperity, courage and splendor. So, we must glorify, respect,
protect, admire and honor our motherland. You can read similar message in
Yajurveda 2:10 and 9:22. So, the concept of motherland is derived from the
Vedas. It’s neither foreign nor an imagination. It’s a real and admirable
concept as it teach us to love our motherland.

Take home message-

Opposing any great concept just to satisfy wicked
politicians and there vested interest is nothing more than foolishness.
Nationalism should be the first preference for all countryman whether Hindu or
Muslim of Christian. It’s a noble idea above the beliefs of Religion.

A proverb fits well on the ignorance of Irfan Habib “Little
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