Vadodara, June 25: An understanding of the Hindu-Muslim relations dating back to medieval Gujarat, along with the formation of the state’s identity, could help gauge the reasons behind the several incidents of communal riots in the state, a US-based Gujarati historian has said.
In her quest, Samira Sheikh came across a period when the state prospered under the rule of Sultans. Her 10 years of research is now presented in a form of book titled Forging a Region’, which is published by Oxford. On Thursday, Sheikh was invited to speak about her book at the department.
She said: “There has to be a reason behind the communal riots and the prevailing tussle between the Hindus and Muslims in the state. In many ways, the period between 1200 and 1500, and the relationship between the Hindus and the Muslims then, is still relevant today.
This was the period when the Sultans ruled Gujarat as also when Vaishnavism and Jainism came here and flourished. Trade flourished and Gujarat got its identity for its business ethos and the rise of its own language.”
She added: “The period also had its share of battles and wasn’t one of utopia. But this was also a period of prosperity when wealth came into the state with Gujarati merchants going to the Gulf areas for trade, and Muslim rulers supporting it in their Sultanate. But most historians have pointed it to be a period of oppression.
In most books of history written by Gujarati authors, this period has been described as barbaric, something absolutely opposite to the historians writing in English, as the latter do not have issue of identity crisis. The shadows of the image has continued and over the last three decades Muslims are being considered as outsiders.”
She further said: “Riots do not take place unless people in power provoke them. It is not about religion, but about political will. Why did something like Godhra happen and why did the chief minister allow it to happen when we know that Gujarat is a place of trade and not battles. It was a political gamble.”
She also said Gujarat was a place of trade and communal riots would only hamper its economic prosperity.
-Agencies