From the wide breadth of India’s historical figures covered during the cultural presentations, I learned numerous facts that helped me connect historical events we learned about. I enjoyed researching Satyendra Nath Bose because of his impressive and extensive expertise in advanced areas of science. I am inspired by the way he got his start with Einstein and flourished from there. His contributions to science and maths connected him to other bright minds across the world and expedited the field of Quantum Physics. Although Bose did not learn or teach at IIT Delhi, our visit to that university reminded me of the exciting achievements and forward-thinking people that exist around the world. Bose, like most of the historical figures presented, have paved the way for humanity’s story to evolve.
From the origin story of Lord Krishna, I learned why cows are sacred in India and how Krishna is revered by Hindus similar to Jesus Christ by Christians. I loved learning about the female mystic, Gargi, because I have read about Devis in Tantric Buddhism and understand the power they hold. So to hear her life story as well as trials and tribulations with gender norms in such early times (even within the spiritual sphere) was fascinating and helped to explain the disconnect between how the divine feminine is praised on paper and in prayer, yet is disregarded in the everyday flesh. We visited many monuments and temples that were built in honor of a divine feminine figure in Hinduism so it was confusing to learn of India’s social dynamics and deeply ingrained misogyny.
Learning Ashoka’s history also provided fascinating insight into the power of women and/of Buddhism in those times. Ashoka’s legendary reign of violence and terror was interrupted by a woman compelling enough to make Ashoka question his mission through a new lens of Buddhist values. This piece of history to me was especially interesting because not many bloodthirsty rulers become Buddhist philanthropists. This story makes me wonder how many women have been the cause of influential men’s changes and moral improvements throughout history…most likely too many to count.
Akbar the Great piqued my interest because of his revolutionary ability to instill peace among warring civilizations and religions alike. He was ahead of his time in peaceful war resolution, religious freedom and equality, and disdain for slavery. He established the crucial separation of politics and religion in Northern India which is an important feat that was “achieved” in America hundreds of years ago but is still very present as a point of conflict in our politics and social culture today.
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