Readers’ comments: Historians need not defend Hindutva’s simplistic caricatures of Akbar

I almost never write a response to articles – especially not in Indian publications – but this subject matters to me far too deeply, and I have simply done too much research over the past 30 years to let it pass without comment (“Was Akbar really a ‘secular’ icon?”).

As a consequence of India’s intensely politicised climate, it has become nearly impossible to say anything remotely objective about the Mughals. This otherwise valuable contribution by Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi once again demonstrates how even the remaining serious Indian historians feel compelled to defend a figure such as Akbar against the most simplistic caricatures of his empire propagated by Hindutva pamphleteers.

Yet, Rezavi neglects to mention that the very circle of Aligarh historians with whom he twice seeks to associate himself with are themselves largely responsible for the anachronistic image of Akbar as a secular, proto-nationalist ruler. It is, to say the least, somewhat paradoxical that Rezavi continues to rely on these same authors precisely while attempting to nuance the notion of Akbar as a secular icon. That image emerged from the political need of the global Left, both in India and in the West, to portray Akbar simultaneously as the perfect Muslim and the perfect Indian citizen.

The historical reality, however, is considerably more nuanced. Akbar was far from a secular ruler; his ʿaql (reason) was in no sense liberal or modern, but rather deeply Sufic in character: an intuitive mode of attaining higher cosmic insight. No, Akbar was indeed not merely a shrewd opportunist, but neither was he a wicked Muslim tyrant nor a nice, secular proto-nationalist.

When we reread his ideologists, the brothers Abul Fazl and Faizi, it becomes crystal clear that Akbar was nothing more – and nothing less – than an Alexander-like Platonic philosopher-king. Unfortunately, such an observation requires a sober empathy toward the past – something that has become virtually impossible within the poisoned academic climate of contemporary India but increasingly also beyond India. – Jos Gommans

Kerala, caste and the Left

The annihilation of caste has never been on the agenda of the Indian Left (“This book asks why Kerala, long ruled by the Left, has not succeeded in annihilating caste”). The Left leadership has always come from dominant caste groups whose very social sustenance is derived from perpetuating social hegemony over the Dalits and Adivasis. The Indian Left leadership that is mostly drawn from hegemonic castes naturally protects caste interests rather than annihilating Caste. – Lella Karunyakara

Like rupee finding its own value, let trans people self-identify

I am delighted to learn that the rupee is now free to find its own value. This is a historic victory for self-identification in India, especially during this Pride Month.

However, this newfound respect for identity has left me puzzled. Curiously, when the Indian currency is now allowed to self-identify, why is the right taken away from its transgender citizens?

It is remarkable that we appear more comfortable with the self-determination of our currency value than with living, breathing people who are facing extreme oppression in their everyday lives. – Swarupa Deb

Hindutva ‘phobia’

Hindutva has been quoted endlessly in this article but not once does the author adequately and honestly define it (“Beyond the Modi phenomenon, what makes up the anatomy of India’s new regime?”). It signals an incapacity or phobia in understanding a self-declared adversary. The much-maligned Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is reaching out to all segments of Indian society with open welcoming arms. – Chaitanya Aggarwal

David Attenborough made people love nature

The author is right that mainstream nature media has long ignored indigenous knowledge and the politics of who destroys the environment and who suffers for it (“The problem with David Attenborough’s spectator environmentalism”). But arguing that Attenborough’s work – over a 70-year career – produces passive, politically disengaged viewers, needs more evidence

The author also does not once engage with A Life on Our Planet (2020), Attenborough’s most personal and urgent film, in which he speaks directly about collapsing ecosystems and the human choices behind them.

What stayed with me most, however, was something Kurien wrote: that people cannot care for something they do not first learn to love. If that is true, then Attenborough’s work is not the problem. Kurien wanted to prove that Attenborough does more harm than good. But with this one line, he accidentally proves the opposite.

The questions about power, inequality, and whose voices shape our understanding of nature are important and necessary. But they will carry far greater force when they are grounded in evidence and not just in feeling. – Prashant Mansajjan Jibhakate

Portraits of artists

I am deeply impressed by both the intent and the content of The Joint Indian Family Album (“In a new book, portraits of India’s arts community by the scion of an iconic Delhi photo studio”). Having been fortunate this year to visit both the Kochi Biennial in Kerala and the 7th Mardin Biennial here in Türkiye, it is so clear to me that our ever-changing arts community needs this kind of recognition. And the stunning black-and-white studio portraits by Ajay Shankar, themselves works of art, are a fitting tribute to various members of the Indian art scene. Well done to those at Scroll for drawing this important publication to wider public attention. – Paul Molyneux

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The portraits bring out the best side of their personalities. Every portrait looks different and speaks for itself. I hope I am similarly photographed one day. – Kanv