GLORIOUS CONTIBUTION BY 'BACKWARD CLASSES' TO HINDISM & INDIA
By N. Nirakar
Often the minor divisions among the Hindu society along the caste and
class lines are magnified many fold by some for their narrow political
or bigotted interests. However these detractors as well as the majority
of Hindus worldwide are unaware of the fact that contribution of the
GIANTS from the so called backward castes to Hinduism and India is
GLORIOUS, as illustrated below. All Hindus are and will be proud of
this contribution.
Although I personally do not believe in caste system, I am including
the caste of these great souls only to make the point.
Maharshi VALMIKI - Fisherman (intially a highway robber)
Composer of Ramayana, Lot of Hindus from Pakistan
belong to the so called backward "Balmik' caste.
Maharshi VED VYAS - Son of a fisher woman Matsya Gandha
Composer of Mahabharat which also contains Gita
Maharshi MATANGA - A matang (harijan caste) & Guru of Shabari
Shabari - A Bhil (adivasi tribe)
VIDUR - Son of a dasi, Devotee of Krishna, Chief Minister
of Hastinapur
In well recorded history following individuals have made great
contribution to Indian History and Hinduism :
Chandragupta Maurya and the Maurya Dyanasty -
- Maurya originates from Muria, a tribe which used to
collect Pea@#%$ (Mor) feathers, also goat herders
Khushru Khan - A lower caste Hindu forcibly converted to Islam,
ruled Delhi for 4 months,called himself Hindu Pad-
paadshah, hastened the decline of Khilji empire
Hemu - Dhansar (weighman in the market), Ruler of Delhi
for 1 month. Fought with Akbar and was killed in
the 2nd battle of Panipat (Nov.5, 1556)
Most of the MawaLas- Kunbi, Followers of Shivaji Maharaj
including Tanhaji Malusare, Yesaji Kank, Jiva Mahal
MalharRao Holkar - Dhangar (goat herder) the royal Sardar of Marathas
Ahalyabai Holkar - Daugther in Law of Malhar Rao,
She built Ghats on Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, rebuilt
temples including the temple complex in Ayodhya
Sant Tukaram - Kunbi caste (Tukaram calls himself a shudra)
Sant Rohidas - Chamar(cobbler) also called Raidas, Guru of Mirabai
Sant Namdev - Shimpi or Darji (tailor), his work is included in
Guru Granth Saheb
Sant Janabai - Dasi, domestic servent in Sant Namdev's home
Sant Chokha Mela - Mahar (harijan)
Sant Soyarabai - Sant Chokha's wife (harijan)
Sant Goroba - Kumhar (potter)
Sant Savata Mali - Mali (gardener)
Sant Narahari - Sunar (goldsmith)
Sant Sena - Nai (barber)
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar - Mahar (harijan), chief architect of Indian
constitution
As is evident, the TWO GREATEST EPICS OF THE HINDU CULTURE, namely
RAMAYAN and MAHABHARAT, ARE WRITTEN BY TWO GIANTS WHO BELONG TO THE SO
CALLED BACKWARD CLASSES. Also one of the greatest dynasties in Indian
history was headed by so called backward class 'Mauryas'.
The saints and the swords (of MawaLas) of the 'backward' class Hindus
also contributed to the resurgence of Hinduism and Hindu nation when
it was being dominated and crushed under the heels of foreign powers.
I do know that during some periods there were atrocities perpetrated
by upper class people. But can we deny the contribution of Acharya
Chanakya in establishing Maurya dynasty, or contribution of Sant Ramdas
and Dadoji Khondadev in inspiring Shivaji? Thruout Indian history
Ramayan & Mahabharat have been revered and retold for generations by
ALL hindus. Bhagavad Gita, Hinduism's holiest scripture comes from
Mahabharat. All Hindus consider these as their own scriptures. If the
caste and class divisions were indeed as severe as they are protrayed,
then why would generations of all the 'upper caste' people hold these
two epics by two 'backward' class people in the highest esteem ?
No Hindu should consider himself to be a backward class or of a
backward caste Hindu because we all belong to the class of Ved Vyas and
Valmiki. It is time the so called backward class Hindus (like myself)
recognize our contribution to Hinduism and feel justifiably proud.
It is time we throw away this yoke of mental servitude of feigned
superiority or inferiority of some class and caste.
IT IS TIME WE CALL OURSELVES AS HINDUS ONLY, AND HELP STOP DIVIDING
OURSELVES ALONG CASTE & CLASS LINES WHICH IN THE PAST HAS BEEN USED
BY FOREIGN RULERS & FOREIGN RELIGIONS FOR FORCED CONVERSIONS. ALREADY
ONE THIRD OF THE FORMERLY HINDU NATION HAS BECOME ISLAMIC PAKISTAN,
BANGLADESH AND AFGANISTAN. THIS CANCER HAS NOT BEEN ELIMINATED YET.
We must also remember that despite all the negative treatment,
HARIJANS AND OTHER 'BACKWARD CLASS' HINDUS NEVER ASKED FOR A SEPARATE
COUNTRY, THEY FOUGHT TO KEEP THE HINDU INDIA UNITED.
Readers, plese feel free to add to this list the names of great men/
women of (so called) backward classes from your state who made great
contributions to Hinduism and India.
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