Heritage we can do without

Brig Ajay Raina (retd)

This is the centenary year of World War-I (1914-1918). We Indians have reasons to remember the war to honour the immense sacrifices by our soldiers. This forgotten chapter of history of courage, valour and sacrifices needs the commemoration it deserves. Some 1.4 million Indian soldiers (larger than the present-day Indian Army) fought for the British Empire. This Indian expeditionary force lost 74,187 soldiers and 69,214 were wounded. Thousands suffered as prisoners of war. Conservative estimates reveal that over 100 million pounds was India's contribution in addition. It is rare that one nation's war is fought by another nation's army at such a large scale.

Now sample this, their kith and kin (our ancestors too) were debarred from entering certain exclusive areas across India such as The Mall roads. Many such exclusive preserves were for whites only and a few of their stooges. The Gothic architecture buildings around these exclusive preserves were too for whites and their cronies of Indian origin. These buildings were conceived by the British for the British, using Indian workforce and resources. One wonders as to how these structures qualify as our heritage. These at best are heritage of shame, constant reminders of a dark chapter in our history. Many are for preserving these structures as our heritage. These are the people who must revisit history and objectively this time. These buildings must be maintained so long as they serve any purpose, without a heritage tag. It was our money and effort after all.

Britons connected a few hill stations through toy trains, essentially for their own travelling comfort, squandering our resources. The Gateway of India in Mumbai was installed to welcome the King of England to finally announce the subjugation of India as a colony. What kind of heritage is it for us? Lutyens' Delhi was made incurring a huge expenditure and effort, depriving millions of the basic needs and the list of such exploits is endless. There were indeed some well-meaning Britons who served our country and even supported our freedom movement but in essence colonial rule was for exploitation and not a charity.

I wonder at times as to what would have crossed the minds of Europeans who initially arrived and saw Ajanta, Konark, Sanchi, Vijayangram, Agra and thousands of magnificent monuments, forts, temples etc across  India, in terms of educating Indians. After all our art and science of architecture was far superior to the monotonous Gothic architecture in range and quality. This would not have been possible without a precise geometry and acumen of materials, structural and metallurgical engineering and science associated with it.

Therefore all this and much more constitute our heritage. A few Britons may be visiting these relics of the Raj as it is their heritage. However, the rest of the world comes to India for its beauty, diversity and culture. This 5,000-year-old civilisation fascinates them. The power of spiritualism appeals to their sensibilities. We must grow out of the shadow of our colonial past and gather self-esteem lest we should pass on wrong lessons of history to our GenNext.