1000 Years of Slavery: The Destruction of Bharat's Inclusive Dharma by Abrahamic Invaders and the Rise of Communal Politics

The Legacy of 1000 Years of Invasion and Slavery

For over a millennium, the subcontinent of Akhand Bharat was subjected to repeated invasions and oppressive foreign rule by Abrahamic Semitic forces. These invaders, guided by religious exclusivism and fundamentalism, imposed their rigid ideologies on a civilization renowned for its inclusivity, tolerance, and spiritual pluralism. The ancient fabric of Bharat, woven with diverse communities living in harmony under the eternal principles of Sanatana Dharma, faced relentless assaults that aimed to erase its cultural, religious, and societal foundations.

Sanatana Dharma: A Philosophy of Cosmic Oneness

The core of Bharatiya philosophy is the profound belief that the individual soul (Atman) is a manifestation of the cosmic soul (Paramatman). This principle forms the foundation of Sanatana Dharma, emphasizing unity, interconnectedness, and universal harmony. In this worldview, every being, irrespective of caste, creed, or ethnicity, is a divine spark of the infinite cosmic consciousness. This spiritual vision inherently rejects rigid hierarchies and embraces diversity as an expression of the divine.

The ancient society of Bharat embodied this philosophy through practices of communal harmony, spiritual inclusiveness, and mutual respect among various traditions. The Vedic teachings, Upanishads, and later Bhakti movements celebrated this oneness, offering paths for all individuals to realize their divine essence.

The Abrahamic Assault on Dharma and Cultural Destruction

The arrival of Islamic invaders, followed by European Christian colonizers, marked a dark period in Bharat's history. The Abrahamic ideologies, rooted in exclusivism and monotheism, clashed with the pluralistic ethos of Sanatana Dharma. Unlike the Dharmic worldview that welcomed multiple paths to truth, the foreign invaders sought to impose a singular religious doctrine, often through violence, forced conversions, and destruction of temples and sacred institutions.

Islamic Rule:
The Islamic invasions brought mass destruction of temples, universities, and cultural centers. The invaders saw these institutions as symbols of “infidelity” and sought to replace them with mosques and Islamic educational centers. Sacred sites such as the Somnath Temple, Nalanda University, and numerous other centers of learning were destroyed. Forced conversions and imposition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims further marginalized the native population.

Christian Colonialism:
The arrival of European Christian powers, particularly the British, compounded the destruction of Bharat's indigenous culture. Missionaries systematically undermined Dharmic traditions, portraying them as primitive and backward. Educational institutions established by the colonizers promoted Eurocentric ideologies, while traditional Gurukuls were dismantled. The British also exploited existing social divisions, institutionalizing caste and sowing seeds of communal discord to maintain their rule.

The Rise of Communal Divisive Politics

The colonial rulers deliberately engineered a divide-and-rule strategy that laid the groundwork for modern communal politics in Bharat. They emphasized differences between Hindus and Muslims, fostering a sense of mutual distrust. The introduction of separate electorates for Muslims by the British further institutionalized communal divisions.

Post-independence, these divisions persisted, exacerbated by vote-bank politics and appeasement strategies. Political parties often exploited religious sentiments to secure electoral gains, diverting attention from issues of national unity and progress. The once-harmonious society envisioned by Sanatana Dharma was fractured by the communal fault lines created during foreign rule.

Resilience of Dharma and the Path Forward

Despite centuries of oppression and cultural destruction, the essence of Sanatana Dharma has endured. The resilience of Bharat's spiritual traditions is a testament to the eternal and universal nature of Dharma. The teachings of saints and sages like Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda, and Sri Aurobindo continue to inspire individuals to seek the higher truth and recognize the divine in all beings.

To overcome the communal divisions that plague contemporary Bharat, it is essential to revive the Dharmic understanding of oneness. Political and social leaders must promote education that emphasizes Bharat’s rich philosophical heritage, encouraging citizens to rise above narrow identities and see themselves as part of the greater cosmic whole.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Bharat’s Dharma

The cosmic philosophy of Bharatiya heritage, which recognizes every individual as a manifestation of the divine cosmic consciousness, offers the ultimate antidote to communal divisiveness. By reconnecting with this timeless wisdom, Bharat can overcome the scars of a thousand years of foreign rule and reaffirm its position as a beacon of spiritual and cultural harmony for the world. The path forward lies not in perpetuating the divisions imposed by invaders but in rediscovering the unifying and all-embracing essence of Sanatana Dharma.