Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 48

GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
Historical Records for antiquity of Indian Civilization.
In seeking to correct certain mistakes as I conceive them to be, I may be pardoned if deftly I can show what India can give in return for your tolerance and noble consideration on the subjects already discussed in your hearing. I deem it proper to say that I have learned very much thus far in my intercourse with you, that will serve me well when I come to report to my own people the lessons of America to India. One of those lessons 1 cannot refrain from mentioning here. It is this that good and only good must come from a freer and fuller communion correspondence and reciprocity, not in philosophy only but in the material factors of civilization, between you and us. I am impelled to predict that we are in the beginning of mutual, intellectual and spiritual unfolding and relationships. In the spirit of brotherly recognition and love, which will do more for our mutual good, in one decade than a cycle of sectarian missionary propagandas can accomplish.
Where shall we find the history of ancient civilization of the Hindus when they lived in village communities and in social brotherhood, centuries before the beginning of the Christian era? Have they any records of that ancient civilization? And why do the Hindus claim their ancient civilization unique in its character and superior to that of any other nation? We shall have to refer to the records of the Hindus if any exist which can claim its high antiquity.
The first mistake: Hindus have no history worth considering prior to the Mohammedan invasion.
The first mistake which I desire to bring to your notice is the very common one that the Hindus have no history worth considering prior to the Mohammedan invasion which began in the early part of the Eighth century of Christian, era and ended in conquest two hundred and fifty years later. This mistake has been emphasized recently in certain leading newspapers in America by some distinguished writers. What is the truth?
The Egyptians have records on their everlasting monuments of civilization which goes beyond 3000 years before Christ. Assyrian scholars have claimed an equally remote antiquity for the Shumiro