Samvit Prakashan and Media

Review by Dr. Ratan Sharda Bengal Bleeding Amidst “Secular” Silence is not an easy book to read. It is not about the current genocide of Hindus after the 2021 state assembly. It is another reminder that those who forget history are bound to repeat it.The question that comes uppermost after reading this cruel history is, does being secular mean keeping silent, sounding helpless on wanton killings of Hindus, and in the case of Bengal history mostly Scheduled Castes and Tribes?  

K Satya Deva Prasad’s Interrogating Macaulay’s Children is a study at exposing the flawed pedagogical system we are still slavish to, even after British Colonial masters have left the shores of Bharat. It is time to undo the historical wrongs of Lord Macaulay by according to our ancient wisdom a pride of place in our educational system.

Written in a sweeping style, befitting the epic saga, it is also an easy read.Many of us Telugus know of Srikrishna Devaraya, the most famous emperor of the kingdom, his exploits in the battlefield as well as in the arena of literature and arts because of the glorious epoch of Bhuvana Vijayam, the literary court of Ashta diggajas, the 8 great poets, especially Tenali Ramakrishna. There’s an entire chapter that deals with the Bhuvana Vijayam including Srikrishna Devaraya as the poet-king. The book covers the Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva dynasties also.

This book captures the Reader’s mind and makes them a part of the incident.Written in the most eloquent and lucid manner this book tries to capture the exact feelings and aura of the Hyderabad Liberation struggle. Very few books have been written on this particular subject and this book definitely is one of the must-read books. Also, this book mentions many Revolutionary heroes who gave up their life just for the freedom of you and me.

The book is meticulously factual and impeccable with referenceable citations.

The book begins with debunking communism in India, but when finished the reader is left with a feeling of witnessing a total annihilation of communism in India and elsewhere. The title of the book is aptly justified, although the book presents numerous other invaluable ideas as once reads through. We Indians may be diverse in outlook but are connected by our deeply rooted culture.

This book is a great tribute to the “real” architect of modern India. He is an embodiment of practical patriotism. This book records many events that took place prior to independence and impresses upon the need for unity. No wonder Dr Hedgewar has millions of followers around the globe. 

Numerous citations are provided which suggest India had a highly evolved society with deep knowledge.

The Author then astutely uses the references to the great knowledge system in Hindu society from the literary works of various western scholars to systematically refute arguments put forth in “Minute”. Some of these literary volumes from western scholars even predate the infamous “Minute”, which speaks volumes about Mr Macaulay’s erudition (or lack of it). It is established in the book beyond any reasonable doubt that Mr Macaulay whose insight on India is anyways a suspect, but his motives are rather ill-intentioned and full of deceit.

Insightful and crisp view on aspects of history not covered in the regular academic curriculum. Important for a comprehensive view of Indian history.

The book contains clarification of much confusing historical information in an easy to read style.