Talk:History of India

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"Islamic Golden Age"

"The massacres perpetuated by Muslims in India are unparalleled in history, bigger than the Holocaust of the Jews by the Nazis; or the massacre of the Armenians by the Turks; more extensive even than the slaughter of the South American native populations by the invading Spanish and Portuguese." - Francois Gautier Rewriting Indian History by Francois Gautier, Chapter 4 - Islam and the Muslim Invasions —Preceding unsigned comment added by Quinacrine (talk • contribs) 04:53, 9 November 2008 (UTC)

All India Kissan mahasabha

Where was first all india kissan mahasabha was held —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.94.72.75 (talk) 05:00, 27 September 2008 (UTC)

This page is for questions about editing Wikipedia. Please consider asking this question at the Reference desk. They specialize in knowledge questions and will try to answer any question in the universe (except how to use Wikipedia, since that is what this Help Desk is for). Just follow the link, select the relevant section, and ask away. You could always try searching Wikipedia for an article related to the topic you want to know more about. I hope this helps.--Shahab (talk) 10:23, 27 September 2008 (UTC)

Gandhi's first name is incorrect?

The first name of Gandhi is Mahatma i would appreciate if you would correct this error. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Reffum (talk • contribs) 00:06, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

This is a joke, right? Gandhi's first name is, as it has always been, "Mohandas". Please refer to the biography. --Ragib (talk) 00:26, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

Chola kings?

The article doesn't show anything about the Cholas, although Rajaraja the Great is known as the most powerful Hindu king in history. There is no single mention of him. --RockingMallu (talk) 19:35, 25 November 2008 (UTC)

Typo in image reference

Hello,

the reference to the image of the `British India' (the Raj) has a typo. The link has an extra pair of closing braces (which I marked with *'s). [[Image:British_india.png|thumb|400px*]]*+, with India and Burma shown in violet+]]

I did not fix it (change ]] into |), because the caption (marked with +'s) does not make sense to me, and my history of India is nil.

Mirko

Image copyright problem with File:Lothal conception.jpg

The image File:Lothal conception.jpg is used in this article under a claim of fair use, but it does not have an adequate explanation for why it meets the requirements for such images when used here. In particular, for each page the image is used on, it must have an explanation linking to that page which explains why it needs to be used on that page. Please check

• That there is a non-free use rationale on the image's description page for the use in this article.
• That this article is linked to from the image description page.

This is an automated notice by FairuseBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Wikipedia:Media copyright questions. --00:13, 6 January 2009 (UTC)

indohistory.com

I removed the link to site [[1]] because it was of dubious origin, is sensationalist - having featured articles on Pakistan being a failed state, Kamasutra and the Tibetan conflict. There are no citations anywhere in the entire site and there are no authorship claims either. Please cite reasons for keeping this link or info sourced from it. Nshuks7 (talk) 05:52, 7 March 2009 (UTC)

I still think that the information provided on [[2]] is comprehensive, organized and the site is quite resourceful. The current two external links which you have, I do not find it of any value. The first link is nothing but a link to another bunch of links and in the second link it is very difficult to find any information. The OM symbols throughout the site irks me. We are talking about the history of a secular country. Please do consider my point.

Sneha Desai

Confused by reference to arrival of islam in india

Islam arrived on the subcontinent in Kerala. The exact date is uncertain, but it is clear that Kerala had 
maritime business links with the Roman Empire and the Middle East from before the birth of Jesus.

The exact date of what is unknown? Clearly not the arrival of islam since that couldn't be so early.82.216.250.233 (talk) 22:27, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Seems to be a valid point. History of Kerala says the earliest mention of Kerala itself is from 4-3 BC. Making the edit now and let's see if someone has a genuine source that says otherwise. Nshuks7 (talk) 05:21, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

As per my visits there and discussions with the locals, and study of buildings, Kerala is said to have one of the oldest Jewish synagougues. Its the first place where Christinaity arrived in India. Islam arrived from North and Kerala, both at around the same time. this, I learnt from the books I read on India through google books. Will try to get some authentic sources for the info here. కిరణ్మయి (talk) 04:34, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

Pakistan

You cant go directly from India to Pakistan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.102.171.107 (talk) 16:38, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

persian invasion

plz give me the details of persion invasions of india —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.196.128.118 (talk) 02:51, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Indo-Europeans?

I wonder why this article says nothing about the arrival of the Indo-Europeans (probably from the Central Asian steppes) in India. Since they brought the Indo-European language, which eventually developed into Sanskrit, and since Sanskrit is so important for the later Vedantic literature, it seems this is an important part of the history of India and should not be omitted. Molare (talk) 08:17, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Good point, coming to think of it - this is a curious omission and should be addressed. Pahari Sahib 08:21, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Under the section "Bronze Age" the article could add a comment that the Indus Valley Civilization did not have horses (citation needed.) Then under the Vedic Period, the article could expand the sentence "The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture associated with the texts of Vedas," with a comment that the Indo-Aryan culture was not an outgrowth of the Indus Valley Civilization, but the result of a migration from Central Asia, which brought the horse to India, as well as the Indo-European language family (again, citation needed.) --Molare (talk) 10:27, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Template in the lead

Part of a series on the
History of India
Chronology of Indian history
Ancient India
Prehistoric India and Vedic India  Religion, Society, Mahajanapadas
Mauryan Period Economy, Spread of Buddhism, Chanakya, Hellenic Contacts
The Golden Age Discoveries, Aryabhata, Ramayana, Mahabharata
Medieval India
The Classical Age Art, Philosophy, Literature
Islam in India Delhi Sultanate, Advent of Sufism, Hindustani Music, Guru Nanak
Mughal India Architecture, Cuisine, Mansabdari, Maratha Confederacy
Modern India
Company Rule Zamindari system, Warren Hastings, Post & Telegraph, 1857
British Raj Hindu reforms, Famines, Independence struggle, Gandhi

The template {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} in the lead is extremely long, violates WP:LEAD, WP:OVERLINK and will hardly give any user an introduction to the History of India. History comprises not merely of a chronology of kingdoms, but is a holistic subject dealing with social, religious, political, economic (etc) affairs of some people over a long period of time. The template was rightly replaced by User:Dbachmann by {{South Asian history}}. An even better template containing an even broader timeline, important people, events, philosophies etc may be in order. The {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} template may be used elsewhere, but not in the intro. Regards--Shahab (talk) 13:32, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

In my opinion an appropriate template in the lead would be something like (I copied the idea from history of Tamil Nadu template): Of course, this is possibly incomplete and incorrect but it gives the reader the important highlights of various determinants which shaped Indian history and not just a list of political kingdoms. Due to the vast socio-political and cultural variety in Indian history it would make sense to concentrate on only the dominating factor of a particular age; or on that factor or which has an important signifincance. It should be kept in mind that merely regional history is not the only approach to studying history but there are other approaches as well. For a comprehensive understanding all ideas should be given adequate space. I look forward to comments before proceeding to complete the template. Regards--Shahab (talk) 08:58, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Since there seem to be no objections should I go ahead and put this in the article?--Shahab (talk) 07:46, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I am removing the {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} template and putting my template in. I will however, not resist, (through reverting,) any move to revert this change provided a valid reasoning/discussion is provided/held. If someone wants (s)he can put the {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} template back in while providing the reason here. My contention remains that to ignore economic history, social history, people's history etc of South Asia would be a gross injustice in presenting a comprehensive view of the state of South Asia through the ages.--Shahab (talk) 07:33, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

I have collapsed {{HistoryOfSouthAsia}} components and replaced content. Anyways you have your template's code in talk page, you can improve template or we can replace if really fit alternate template is available. Mightymrt away (talk) 04:38, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Actually I sufficiently improved my template to the point that I don't feel that it is incomplete any more. My point is that the whole orientation of the Template:HistoryOfSouthAsia is faulty as it focuses on providing only a list of political kingdoms of India. Such an elitist approach to history can never summarize South Asia's existence. How is the Ahom Kingdom more relevant in comparison to Mahabharata? Why is the Durrani Empire more important to Sufism in India. The latter are very much part of the historical heritage of South Asia and any leading template should have all these things. Since the Template:HistoryOfSouthAsia has not been designed to incorporate these features, I suggest that we forgo its use entirely and use my template instead. The Template:HistoryOfSouthAsia can be useful in the Timeline of Indian history and at some other article. I do not believe that big templates are useful in the lead. They distract the reader as overlinking and too many blue links reduces the importance of the important high value links. Any template in the lead should also comply with WP:LEAD and should contain just the important points and nothing else. Hence my template concentrates on only 4 aspects at most from any age. Regards--Shahab (talk) 08:45, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Your are giving undue importance to non-deserving things, Mansabdari nobody cares, and Taj Mahal nobody eats - no offense. It will become pure WP:Original Research defining your own opinion in lead. Kindly point me to some source, otherwise it is considered OR. Mightymrt away (talk) 08:33, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

First of all there is no need to view this table as mine and not yours. You are free to edit it as well. Secondly if we want any template/table etc in the lead which summarizes the important historical aspects then the best way would be to evolve a consensus on its contents. I waited a reasonable amount of time before putting up this table but no one put forth any suggestions. As for sources what kind of sources do you need? That the Mansabdari system is important in the administrative history of India, and an important grassroot affecting contribution of Mughals is attested by many sources (for example Medieval Indian History(Hardcover - 2002) by K.N. Chitnis). It was really a beginning of systematic land records in India for which the British also owe to the Mughals.[3] Whether it should be used in the lead of the History of India article on wikipedia is something for which there of course are no sources. That can only be decided by consensus here. I have absolutely no problems with changing the contents of the table while retaining its objective of not reflecting solely political history.

I used the Taj Mahal picture as I feel that this is image is identified more with India around the world then any other image. I feel any non-Indian will definitely connect this image with India. Regards--Shahab (talk) 12:37, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

When there are no sources, there is no basis for discussion or consensus. Britannica's india lead says (commented text for copyright, click edit to see), it does not mention Manasbari. You are welcome to bring sources that summarise indian history, and unsourced materials are removed first when challenged, like in this case by me. Mightymrt away (talk) 04:14, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Well I thought the fact that the sources I have mentioned (Medieval Indian History by K.N. Chitnis and the website) which discuss the importance of Mansabdari would be sufficient to include it. The important thing for me is to look at history from all angles. I have no qualms about removing Mansabdari if it isn't notable enouugh. I'll ty to hunt up a source that summarizes Indian history and includes mansabdari. However I do believe that any such source is liable to be subjective without scholarly consensus. In the meantime you are welcome to follow {{Sofixit}}.--Shahab (talk) 08:48, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Prehistoric era

Isn't the fact that Vedic Period and Mahajanapadas are classified under pre historic era wrong? Since written records of that period are available and well understood they qualify under history and not pre-history.--Shahab (talk) 17:55, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

A few points

The arrival of Moslems to Kerala is describes as the first arrival of Abrahamic religions in India. However, Jews have been stated to have arrived during the third century BC and Christians are stated to have followed in the Roman Era.

In the article about the arrival of Europeans to India, trade between India and Europe is described as Indo-European which I believe is an unfortunate term since it may be confuse the casual reader. A more clear description might be "trade between India and Europe".

The English colonizers are described as "British islanders" when "English" might be a term more commonly used in the English language. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.216.200.45 (talk) 23:22, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

Finally the timeline for European colonization might be expanded since events more than hundred years apart are joined into the same context which again might confuse the casual reader. I say this because I've encountered the idea that India was colonized by the British in the 16th century on another forum. I apologize for not reading through the entire article but India is unfortuneately not my area of expertise and I didn't expect to really be able to contribute. (I came here because I wanted to compare another source in a language I don't quite understand on the European colonization to what I hoped would be a more authorative source). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.216.200.45 (talk) 22:57, 1 September 2009 (UTC)

I'm neither Muslim nor Hindu myself, but I'm worried about the choice of words on the introduction of Islam to India: 'But this had marked the arrival of an Abrahamic religion in the pre-existing Indian religions'. Not only is the English pretty bad (though there is worse - see some of the pages on particular castes, for example), but it does seem just a TOUCH anti-Islamic. I know that such pages are difficult to edit - the pages on Indian history in particular seem to be swarming with dreadful English, irrelevant rubbish and massive bias - but could the core of clued-up, benevolent experts on Indian history who know what Wikipedia is for please sort this and related pages out? I've tried correcting some articles before in a slightly more accurate light here but the Indian Nationalist Mafia or Anti-Indian League or someone keeps changing them back (depending on whichever way the bias happened to swing). The English Wikipedia is about accuracy and facts in good English (or possibly good Hinglish), not irrelevance and biased opinion.