When it comes to patriotism, I am a bit uncompromising on things. Little things tend to break my heart when I look at petty sights hampering the development of my country.
If we go back in time of the Indian History, we find it one hell of a rich country with enough wealth to lure just about any superpower. And yes it did! The British East India Company established its empire and ruined the country to such an extent that it still struggles hard to come up to that level. Accepted that it is "one" of the reasons, still I feel it to be the most prominent one!
During my bike trip to Bikaner in January 2010, I was left pondering over the majesty and prominence of intellectual wealth in the past. Junagarh Fort screamed out the pain and hardships of the "lower class" that prevailed at that time. After completing the guided tour, I had boiling blood rushing down my veins. I was confused! What for? I was not able to decide if I should weep, get angry or petty over the tiny fucking brains of those who "kindheartedly" gave their "motherland" into foreign control.
Since childhood I was told about the freedom struggle, the braves and their bravery to free their motherland, the massacres and bloodshed and the glorious victory of India. But, did anyone every try to think as to why did that all happen? What made the "golden bird" rust? Who was responsible? My visit to the heritage site answered a part of it. Read through to find out what made me change my thinking. Listed below are some of the sites in the fort premises that took me by surprise.
The Architecture
As soon as I approached the fort, I could see the top dome that clearly dominated the skyline. Soon after crossing the parking lot, I came closer to a revelation. Hats off to the architectures that created a mountain out of a mole (positive sense). These people had the rare capabiliies to carve out a beautiful fort out of a rugged mountain. The architecture was simply stunning. The delicate carvings on the walls made me compare the sophisticated lifestyle and the time when man (mind it, man...not the king) had little material comfort. And what was all this for? For that dickhead that handed over that our country in foreign hands?
The Big Fort
I was amazed at the size of the fort that the king lived in! The fort is big enough to accommodate atleast 500 people with enough personal space. And that property was wholly and solely for the king! What was the need of such a big accommodation?
The Annoying Documents and Photographs
Hung on the wall and a bit proudly illustrated by the guide was a photograph of the king being rewarded by the "Emperor of India". That was the sight that still haunts my mind. I mean, how proud was he in being rewarded by someone who never had a right to such rubbish!
The Airplane
Another one. This was gifted to the king by someone. I am damn sure that this plane was a piece of junk of the colonizers and was "intelligently" disposed off as a gift to the ruler.
My hands shiver and my body sweat as I describe of what I felt while I was witnessing the tantrums that led to the fall of Gods own country.
The Photographs Continued...
We are constantly reminded about the 1411 thing (every Indian would know it). This is actually the number of Tigers left in India. They are on the verge of becoming extinct. Thanks poaching and illegal hunting of these beautiful creatures. Similar was the case back in time. Discarding the traditional Indian dresses and donning the (thought to be) glorious safari suit, the king was smiling at the death of that masterpiece of nature. I wished the king was alive so that I coule spit at his face.
The Decoration
The king was so obsessed with the precious metal to the extent that it would not astonish me if he wants the earth to be gold plated. Every single wall has some or the other gold work. Can you imagine, the status symbol today, had no value at that time! Just to make the fort beautiful, gold was used very year. And ro talk about the quantity, tonnes of it was used. What a waste, the amount would have fed millions that starved to death at that time.
The Equipments
Hundreds of swords, rifles, shields, armors and what not! I was amazed at the creativity of the makers of those equipments. While one would open into three daggers with just a little pressure,the other would disembowel the enemy with a slight twist! What was the need. Had we been "one" at that time, the "divide and rule" wouldn't have worked. Had they used their brains for something constructive, the scenario would have completely different!
Why is my question! What was the need? What sort of a king was he? Lost in his own dream world building forts and marrying as many as 19 girls and licking the imperialists' ass....was this all about taking care of his kingdom, or why kingdom when its the "country" which was the most important!
Please tell me...please!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment