Inauguration of RSN Memorial Library and Indological Research Institute at Chennai

Inauguration of RSN Memorial Library and Indological Research Institute at Chennai

How the Library was thought about: As explained in the earlier blog, Sri R.S.Narayanaswamy and I used to discuss about setting up library with the collection of rare and old books. With his demise, then, I discussed with Dr N. Ravichandran searching for space. One day he called me informing that the Vishva Hindu Vidya Kendra has constructed a new building and they were ready to provide space for the library, so that we could arrange our books there for the purpose. In fact, I was seriously thinking and even about to construct a metallic roofing shed on the third floor of my house to have the library and also use the space for monthly meetings, seminars etc. I fixed it in Google also. Then, I decided to move all my valuable collection there, as he suggested. So I went there discussed with Sri Vedantamji and Dr N. Ravichandran and decided to move books there.

How much the books suffered due to nature-made and man-made calamities: I started moving my books with steel racks in  July 2022 and went on till September 2022. At weekends and holidays, I went there and sorted them out subject-wise and arranged in the racks. As I knew each and every book, I could recognize and place them accordingly. Again, there were several books torn, wrappers missing, even books found in piecemeal.. for me, it was the third calamity, as I had faced earlier twice in 2015 floods and the Vardha cyclone in 2016 with the loss of one-third of books. In 2o15, my house was submerged in the floods and waters entered the house destroying almost all household things. The room that I constructed backside, above five feet from the road gave me shelter for my books and my books for six days, when there was no current. This is happening for the third time. Anyway, I sat there, going through such pages, wrappers and torn-books trying to match with each other. For example, the DED was in such a bad condition that took one day to put together with all the pages. Then, about the inauguration……it was getting postponed…….Then, in 2023, it was perhaps finalized. 

Memorial Library and Indology Research Institute: Dr Subramaniansamy inaugurated the RSN Memorial Library and Indology Research Institute at the second floor of Sri Vedanta Bhavan, Vishva Hindu Vidya Kendra, T. Nagar on 28th at 4:00 PM at Ramanujam Street, T. Nagar. He was the Former Indian Institute of Technology Professor of Mathematical Economics and Harvard University Economics School. Also, Dr. Sudha Seshayan, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr M.G.R., Medical University. Ms Chandralekha, ex-IAS, T.R. Ramesh, Advocate, Temple Worshipers Society President participated. Dr. Sathyamurthy, founder of REACH Foundation, was supposed to come, but did not.

The organizing team of the function: The coordination committee for the event included Vishva Hindu Vidya Kendra President Vedantam G, Madras University Department of Ancient History and Archeology Visiting faculty K.V. Ramakrishna Rao, Vishva Hindu Vidya Kendra General Secretary Girija Seshatri, Dr K. Venkatesan, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Chennai, Dr P. Ramesh, Lecturer, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, UCAL, Fuel System Manufacturing Consultant Dr. Ravichandran were also present. Of course, there have been many who helped us at different levels. I cannot forget Sri Ramasubbu, who has been helping me.

What the spears spoke- as per the media:

• Dr Sudha Seshyyan explained the importance of Indology and Indological studies in the present day. She also explained as to how the textual references could be used for the Indological research.
• Ms Chandralekha IAS (retd.,) explained her own experience of reading history and Indology to pass the Civil Services and also explained how the ancient texts should be decoded with the scientific background.
• Dr. Ravichandran spoke about “RSN, the Memorial Library,” specifically “RS Narayanasamy”.
• K.V. Ramakrishna Rao, Visiting Professor, Department of Archaeology, highlighted the importance of “Institute of Research in Indology” and “Indology”.
• Finally, Dr Subramanian Swamy pointed out how the reading of law would be useful to everybody. Particularly, girls and women should read law to understand their position. He emphasized that all students should learn law so that they could realize their position, wherever they work.

The special feature of this library is that about 50-60 years of English-Tamil dailies and magazines have been cut out, sorted subject-wise and pasted on separate newspaper-sized papers, arranged according to pound usage.

What is Indology?: Indology has been the study of “India”[1], but not the 1947-India that is “Bharath.” It is the systematic study of India in all aspects of arts, sciences and technology from the prehistoric to modern periods. As the Indic culture, tradition, heritage and civilization were spread, registered and found recorded in many parts of the ancient world, it was understood accordingly by the Western or European experts during the 17^th to 20^th and perhaps in 21^st century also.

Indology connotation from Germany to Dutch to India now: The term Indology (in German, Indologie) is often associated with German scholarship, and is used more commonly in departmental titles in German and continental European universities than in the anglophone academy. In the Netherlands, the term Indologie was used to designate the study of Indian history and culture in preparation for colonial service in the Dutch East Indies. But, now Indians are not at all reading about “India” properly, because of regionalism, linguistic and other parochialism.

Indian, Asian, South Asian studies – how nomenclature changes: However, the focused study on India has been interpreted as nation-oriented, nationalist, nationalistic and so on[2] and thus, “Asia” concept introduced. Thus, now, it is also known as South Asian studies, that is the academic study of the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent, and as such is a subset of Asian studies. That Columbus could discover an “India” in the west proves the existence of “India” in the Americas. Many scholars have pointed out the connection between the Aztec-Maya-Inca civilizations with that of India and SEA. Even Rabindranath Tagore[3] has written about “Greater India” and promoting such society.

Classical Indology based on the Indic literature: Classical Indology majorly includes the linguistic studies of Sanskrit literature, Pāli and Tamil literature, as well as study of Dharmic religions (like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.), thus, Indology has no boundaries, even in the “Asian” context. Just 100 yeas back, Indians and non-Indians were moving in all directions without any passports and visas. The India that included Tibet, Burma, Gandhara, Sind, and other areas were slowly separated by the Colonial rulers for administrative convenience.

Modern Indology has widened scope like Indian Ocean Studies: In the context of Maritime history, under water archaeology and marine engineering, Indian Ocean played a crucial role always. Every ship and boat that came to India had to sail through Indian Ocean to reach India. Now, Indians cannot imagine that the Ocean could be named after their country or nation. Thus, it is clear India was influencing others for many centuries in many aspects. Thus, Indology covers not only ancient, medieval, but also modern periods.

Indology may have to face other ideological studies: Indology has to face and embrace the following:

• Subaltern school, Local, Oral and Feminist histories [mostly misinterpreting Indic tradition, culture, heritage and civilization].
• Trends In Indian historiography: History From Below
• Indian judiciary, judgments and impact on society [living in relation, same sex marriage, breaking of joint family system etc].
• Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization [changes in the taxation system, goods and services affecting the traditional industries].
•  Genetic studies [DNA, R1a, biometrics etc.,] –aiding and abetting “Aryan-Davidian” dichotomy and race theories [pseudo-scientific]
• Peasant Movements to Urban naxals [targeting to divide Indian society]
•  Working-class Movements, Tribal Movements [targeting to divide Indian society]
• Histories of Caste, Tribes and Genders [misinterpretation of Varna, caste, Jati, Kula, gothra, ethnicity, denomination etc.]

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

29-10-2023

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[1] There were “India-intra-gangem” and “India-extra-gangem” of the Greeks and two Indias located by the European cartographers – one proper India and another away from India in the east i.e, Southeast Asia, also known as “Greater India”.

[2]  Even certain historians have been dubbed as “nationalist or nationalistic” historians, equating with “right,” as opposed to the “left.” Thus, Jadunath Sircar, K. A. Nalikanta Sastry etc., would come under this category. https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/44466/1/Unit-20.pdf

[3] Greater India was first published in 1921.The essays in the volume are authorized translation of papers read by the author in connection with the swadeshi movement in Bengal, circa 1905-1910. The contents include ‘Our Swadeshi Samaj’ (Swadeshi Samaj), ‘The Way to get it Done’ (Saphaltar sadupay), ‘The Nationalist Party’ (Sabhapatior Abhibhashan, Pabna Sammilani, in part) and ‘East and West in Greater India’ (Purva o Pachim).

Bakhshali manuscript and Ramanujam: Mathematical manuscripts from Bodleian Library of Oxford to Cambridge!

Bakhshali manuscript and Ramanujam: Mathematical manuscripts from Bodleian Library of Oxford to Cambridge!

Hard work and esoteric wisdom: Srinivasa Ramanujan claimed that he got such amazing mathematical wisdom from “Namagiri Devi,”[1] just like Kalidasa getting knowledge from Kali. According to Ramanujan, she appeared to him in visions, proposing mathematical formulas and he would have taken down. One such event was described by him as follows:

“While asleep, I had an unusual experience. There was a red screen formed by flowing blood, as it were. I was observing it. Suddenly a hand began to write on the screen. I became all attention. That hand wrote a number of elliptic integrals. They stuck to my mind. As soon as I woke up, I committed them to writing“.

 Or it could be taken down in this way also – as he always used to think about such theorems, formulae etc., a sudden spark would have helped him to get the result. Of course, for such intuition, a divine blessing is required. Furthermore, Ramanujan’s mother received permission from Namagiri Thayar for Ramanujan to go to England in a dream. Ramanujam like any other devout Hindu student would have always attributed his knowledge, timely recollection at the time of examination, thereby writing examinations well, getting high marks, etc., only to his favourite God or Goddess. However, his hard work plays a key role always. Thus, definitely, their knowledge was tremendous, stupendous and great only. Such mathematical knowledge was preserved in India historically. Actually, it was not known how many pages the manuscript bound contained, how many recovered, left at the site itself, damaged and cured for research, and kept at the Bodleian library now. Thus, the oldest mathematical manuscript is now known as “Bakhshali manuscript”  contained the Indian mathematical past historically.

Bakhshali manuscript – the notebook/workbook of an Ancient Indian Student: The “Bakhshali manuscript” is nothing but, a notebook or workbook of an ancient Indian student containing many pages, but, only 70 were reportedly recovered in a mutilated condition found between stones, when a peasant living enclosure was dug. In May 1881, near a village called Bakhshali, lying in the Yusufzai district of the Peshawer division, at the extreme Northwestern frontier of India. About its nature also, different versions are available.

The letter dated 5th of July 1881, from the Assistant Commissioner of  Mardan states[2], “According to the finder’s statement the greater part of the manuscript had been destroyed in taking it up from the place where it lay between stones. The remains, when brought to me, were like dry tinder, and there may be about fifty pages left some of which would be certainly legible to anyone who knew the characters. The letters on some of the pages are very clear and look like some kind of Prakrit, but it is most difficult to separate the pages without injuring them. I had intended to forward the manuscript to the Lahore Museum in the hope that it might be sent on thence to some scholar, but I was unable to have a proper tin box made for it before I left Mardan. I will see to this on my return from leave. The papyrus will require very tender manipulation. The result will be interesting, if it enables us to judge the age of the ruins where the manuscript was found.”

Rudolf Hoernle noted, “Unfortunately, probably through the careless handling of the finder, it is now in an excessively mutilated condition, both with regard to the size and the number of the leaves. Their present size, as you observe (see Plate I), is about 6 by 3 ½ inches; their original size, however, must have been about 7 by 8 ¼ inches. This might have been presumed from the well-known fact that the old birch-bark manuscripts were always written on leaves of a squarish size. But I was enabled to determine the point by a curious fact.”

Its size varies from 13×7 to 18×21 cms size. In other words, the sizes of the notebook pages were thus equivalent to A4 to a bigger size. Professor Buhler, who had read of the discovery in the Bombay Gazette communicated the announcement to Professor Weber, who brought it to the notice of the fifth International Congress of Orientalists then assembled in Berlin. In Buhler’s letter to Weber it was stated that the manuscript had been found, “..carefully enclosed in a stone chamber……,” however, the 70 leaves recovered showed that they were damaged severely, while removing. As noted, the “Bakshali manuscript” was nothing but, a student mathematical book cum workbook containing many pages. It has many interesting problems, but, difficult to solve. The manuscript is written in Sharada character of a rather ancient type, in Sanskrit and on the leaves of birch-bark which from age have become dry like tinder and extremely fragile[3].

The tradition of Birch-bark manuscripts of North India spreading from Central Asia to China: The Birch-bark manuscripts are documents written on pieces of the inner layer of birch bark (of tree), which was commonly used for writing in ancient India. The evidence of birch bark for writing goes back many centuries and in various cultures. The oldest dated birch bark manuscripts are numerous Gandhāran Buddhist texts from approximately the 1^st century BCE to CE, which are believed to have created in Gandhara part of Bharat (now Afghanistan), likely by the Dharmaguptaka sect of Buddhists. That the Buddhism was existed till the medieval period above Bharat from Central Asia to China and of course down to South East Asia is well known. In other words, just like the tradition of “Talapatra” of south India, the north Indians used “Bhiojpatra.” Moreover, the writing was there, during the first centuries with an established educational system. As these manuscripts withstood time, there could have been more, but, unless, the Europeans reveal, Indian researchers are not in a position to proceed further. Now coming to numbers and zero, as this Bakshali manuscript contained zeros, it would have been more interesting, had the manuscript was shown to Ramanujam by his British friends of the Cambridge.

The number “0”, decimal numbers etc: According to the westerners / the European experts, the origin of the symbol zero has long been one of the world’s greatest mathematical mysteries. However, The Rigveda Mandala X has the concepts of 0 and 1, giving examples of the concept of “non-existence” and “existence”. Pingala[4] has been credited with the inventor of Binary Mathematics[5]. Here, the Bakshali manuscript contains many zeros mentioned specifically. Though, many consider the symbol noted as dot, big dot etc., it appears as circle only[6]. Therefore, it’s dating from the first centuries was disputed and taken to the 4^th century CE. In 2017, the Bakhshali manuscript, was subjected to radiocarbon dating conducted. Various dates have been obtained ranging from the 3^rd or 4^th century CE to 12^th century. In fact, composed of material from at least three different periods, as per the C-14 dating.

Table[7] Laboratory codes, radiocarbon determinations, stable carbon isotope composition and calibrated ages for the birch bark from the Bakhshali manuscript. Presented uncertainties in the radiocarbon determination are one standard deviation.

Sample	ORAU laboratory code	Radiocarbon determination / BP	δ / ‰	Calibrated age, 95.4% Confidence interval / cal AD
Bakhshali folio 16	OxA-35,405	1751 ± 29	-27.3	224 – 383
Bakhshali folio 17	OxA-35,406	1247 ± 27	-27.0	680 – 868
Bakhshali folio 33	OxA-35,407	1108 ± 26	-24.6	885 – 993

If that is the case, no student or scholar would keep his book, notebook or textbook with such mixed manuscripts. Such mix-up must have done by the discoverer of or the person recovered the manuscripts. Probably, they could have recovered three such manuscripts at different levels. As Dakshasila University was nearby and it was destroyed by the Mohammedans, all these books could have been found scattered. Or the “enclosed” place, where, the manuscript was found, could have been a school that was destroyed. The most elaborate and authoritative academic study on the manuscript, conducted by Japanese scholar Dr Hayashi Takao[8], asserted that it probably dated from between the 8^th and the 12^th century, based on factors such as the style of writing and the literary and mathematical content. Another researcher has noted some astronomical details also[9]. Thus, the earlier dating of the manuscript goes before the 9th-century inscription of zero found on the wall of a temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, which was previously considered to be the oldest recorded example of a zero used as a placeholder in India.

The zero symbol could have been evolved from a dot that was used in ancient India and can be seen throughout the Bakhshali manuscript. The dot was originally used as a ‘placeholder’, meaning it was used to indicate orders of magnitude in a number system – for example, denoting 10s, 100s and 1000s. In fact, in the Bakhshali Mss, it is clearly written as 0 instead of a big dot.  The “Number system” that was reportedly used by the Egyptian, Babylonian, Mayan and Roman are compared with that of the Indian for comparison. While the use of zero as a placeholder was seen in several different ancient cultures, such as among the ancient Mayans and Babylonians, the symbol in the Bakhshali manuscript is particularly significant for two reasons. Firstly, it is this dot that evolved to have a hollow centre and became the symbol that we use as zero today. Secondly, it was only in India that this zero developed into a number in its own right, hence creating the concept and the number zero that we understand today – this happened in 628 CE, just a few centuries after the Bakhshali manuscript was produced, when the Indian astronomer and mathematician Brahmagupta wrote a text called Brahmasphutasiddhanta, which is the first document to discuss zero and its operations.

Ramanujam and zero: The concept and evolution of 0 and ∞ haven challenging for all civilizations, but, the ancient Indians were dealing with them, philosophically and mathematically with clear-cut logic. Of course, there was no difference between philosophy and mathematics till medieval periods. Ramanujam asked his teacher what would happen if zero was divided by zero. They did not use 0 till 12^th century and ∞ 17^th century[10]. The westerners did not recognize them till the medieval / modern period. If any number is divided by itself, 1 is obtained, then, zero divided by zero would give 1 as result. It is not known as to Ramanujan would have read “Bija ganita” of Bhaskaracharya or not. However, it is evident that he had taken much interest in zero and other numbers. Thus, had Ramanujan seen the Bakashali manuscript, many riddles of the manuscript would have been solved. After all, the distance between Cambridge and Oxford is about 100 kms and it would take two hours to reach. It is not known who prevented him not to see the Bakhshali manuscript.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

27-04-2020

[1] Ramanujan prayed to the goddess Namagiri by sitting in the center of a four pillared mandapam facing the goddess, in the Narasimha swamy Temple. It is said that they stayed in the precincts of the temple for three days, and Ramanujan got the permission of the goddess to go to England, in a dream when he was asleep. He woke Narayana Iyer and told him that his mission of getting the permission of the goddess to go to England was accomplished.

[2] G. R. Kaye, The Bakhshali Manuscript – A Study in Medieal Mathematics, Vol.I, in Indian Historical researches, Royal Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1933,  p.1

[3] Birch-bark is an outer bark of the Silver Birch (Betula utilis, Betula bhojpaltra, or the Bhurja tree, as it is vai’iously called) which flourishes in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim. It grows on all the higher ranges of the Kashmiri- hills from a height of about 6,000 feet to 12,000 foot. The forests in the (Gurais district supply most of the bhojpatra that is sold in Srinagar. The bark is used chiefly for the roofing of houses, for wrapping up things, for lining baskets, etc., and the villagers still use it as a writing material.

1. R. Kaye, Vol.I, p.4

[4] Pingala (c.3rd / 2nd century BCE) was an ancient mathematician, famous for his work, the Chandas shastra (chandas-śāstra, also Chandas sutra chandas-sūtra), a Sanskrit treatise on prosody considered one of the Vedanga. Pingala is identified as the younger brother of Panini, the great grammarian of c. 5^th century BCE. Other traditions identify him with Patanjali, the author of the Mahabhashya.

[5] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Date of Pingala – The Origin of Binary Computation in India, VYOMA, Bangalore, 2004, pp.356-362.

[6] R.N. Mukherjee; Zero, Encyclopaedia of Classical Indian Sciences, H. Selin, R. Narasimha (edt.), Universities Press, (2007) pp. 441-444.

[7] David Howell, Carbon dating reveals Bakhshali manuscript is centuries older than scholars believed and is formed of multiple leaves nearly 500 years different in age, By David Howell, Head of Heritage Science at the Bodleian Libraries, 3 July 2017

[8] Hayashi Takao, The Bakhshali Manuscript – an ancient mathematical tratise, Egbert Forsten, Groningen, Netherlands,1995.

[9] Syshma Zadoo, Critical study of the Bakhshali Manuscript, PhD thesis, University of Kashmir, 1992, pp.141-142.

[10] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, From Zero to Infinity, in “Vigyan Bharati Pradeepika”, Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan, – Proceedings, Vol.8, No.1, April 13, 2002,  pp. 45-54.

Reminiscences about Nonagenarians, strange meetings and varied personalities!

Reminiscences about Nonagenarians, strange meetings and varied personalities!

My early days’ contacts with DMK (1967-1969): Sri Bhagavatham Venkatappaiah[1] had been our family friends living at the end of our Venkatachala Iyer Street, West Mambalam, Madras – 600 033 since the early 1950s. The house was tiled one of 1940 period and he was living there with parents and brothers. Incidentally, my uncle Nandagiri Narayana Rao[2] [we called him as Narayana mama] and family came there as tenants and I used to be there at every evening in 1960s. As they had transistor [Murphy], I used to go there to listen to news and songs. As Narayana Rao was a DMK supporter, he used to tell about the party and leaders. I used to decorate our old house with Black and red, DMK flags and as I was just eight years old. In 1967, when C. N. Annadurai and Karunanidhi came in a jeep at the end of our street on the Lake View Road for election campaign, the DMK men lifted me and out in the jeep, informing, “This papparap paiyan nalla kathuvan,” [This Brahmin boy would shout well] and I started shouting, “Anna vazhga, Karunanidhi vazhga, Udhaya Suriyane parthu poduugamma vottu!” [Hail Anna, hail Karunanidhi, vote for the Raising Sun symbol] and so on, as instructed by them! The DMK came to power in 1967. When Anna died on Feb.3, 1969, he [Narayana mama] took me to Marina in the procession. While returning, I remember what happened to the Kamadenu Hotel situated on the Gopaty Narayana Chetty Street near Sun theatre[3]. We could not get anything to eat and we had to return with empty stomachs. So when we were children, naturally, we would be influenced by the hereditary and environmental factors.

Studying in Tamil medium (1964-1966): As I was admitted in Tamil medium in the nearby Devi School in 1964, I started taking interest in Tamil. One day, “Old bookseller,” Rajagopal became friend in the sense, he used to sell “Ambulimama” to me. My another uncle Sri Madhwapati Srinivasa Rao[4] made me to take interest in reading newspapers and books. Rajagopal was a DMK man and he also used to tell about DMK and its leader. He was called as “thalaivar,” and “Vattac ceyalalar,” by his friends. Rajagopal was having his old book shop on the platform near Murugan Stores on the Station Road.

Leather scientist B. Venkatappaiah, a friend of K. Ramaiah: B. Venkatappaiah[5] was a scientist in CLRI and was a college mate of K. Anbazhagan. Venkatappaiah used to tell, his name was Ramaiah and a Telugu man and they used to talk with each other in Telugu in Pachaiappa’s College. Ramaiah did Intermediate with Physics, Chemistry and Economics (1938-39) and then, B.A in Tamil from 1939 to 1942. He came to Pachaiappa’s College and completed M.A. Tamil during the period 1942-44. He used to point out that Ramaiah was working as lecturer and not professor, as he was portrayed. Ramaiah worked in Pachaiappa’s College as a lecturer between the 1944 and 1957 period. I was asking Mrs Venkatappaiah a photo of B. Venkatappaiah, and incidentally, she gave on 05-03-2020. I wanted to prepare a write-up on him, but, I could not do that. But, today, the news of Sri K. Anbazhagan comes.

My personal meetings of Sri K. Anbazhagan: Of course, I too met him three times. First time at the BHEL Guest House, Ranipet [I was there June 1994 to July 1995]. As one night, I had to sit late night to attend to work, I could not get a bus to return to Madras and hence I had to stay at the BHEL Guest House. Evening, when I come out of my room, surprisingly, I saw him standing in the corridor. Initially, I was hesitant to meet him, as he was a Minister. Then, I slowly approached him and said, “Vanakkam, Iyya,” he turned back and told, “Vanakkam.” Then, I introduced myself and also about B. Venkatappaiah, his College-mate.  He could recognize and enquired about him. Then, he was telling about college days at Pachaiyappa’s. I also informed that I did my B.Sc Physics there. I asked him as to whether he could speak Telugu then, he responded no, as they lost touch. As the dinner was ready, and we were asked to come down, my conversation with him ended. Then, I met him at the Swaminatha Iyer Library functions twice. He was praising Iyer for his great work done in collecting palm-leaf manuscripts and got them published in the book form. He talked in a very balanced way.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

07-03-2020

[1]  He had two brothers Sri  B.Shayamsundar and B. Aravindan, whose sons and daughters have been well settled.

[2]  They have D. Srinivasa Rao, Krishnamuthy Rao, Ranga Rao, Ramachandra Rao and Narayana Rao (as mentioned above)  and three sisters Padmavathi Amma, Savithri Amma and Sitaram.

[3] Now both are not there. Sun  theatre has been converted into Sun plaza, commercial complex building.

[4]  He had been the son of M. Subba Rao, grandson of Nayapati Subba Rao, the Congress leader and freedom fighter. Thus, I am the grandson of M. Subba Rao and thus great-great-grandson of Nyapathi Subba Rao. Anyway, nowadays, none bothers about all these details, people are recognized by their status of power and money.

[5] He was next to Dr Nayudamma (1922-1985), the scientist in those days. Perhaps, no other scientist has been as popular and respected as Dr Yelavarthy Nayudamma both in India and abroad where leather is a major industry.  https://www.clri.org/Admin/Leaders/dnayudamma.html

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [1]

Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19^th Century – UGC seminar held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University [1]

PG Campus of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) has become the Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam University: The U.G.C. sponsored National Seminar on Social Reform Movement In India and Women Education from 19^th Century was held at the Ongole campus of the Sri Acharya Nagarjuna University from 19^th and 20^th February 2020. The government has upgraded the erstwhile PG Campus of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) into a new university named as the Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam University [AKTP University]. The Ongole-AKTP University is fortunate in this regard, as it had an advantage of owning 100 acres of land at Pernamitta village within the Ongole city limits. The university is set up over 114 acres of land allotted for the Ongole PG Centre. It is currently running with 10 postgraduate courses and has 137 private un-aided colleges affiliated to it. Around 48 staff are working in the PG Centre and withe the upgradation, the number is likely to increase. As for as  Ongole is concerned, I have come here several times to attend seminars in 2013[1], 2014[2], 2016[3], 2018[4] etc., and it is not a new place and I have covered and posted in my blogs also [the links are given below]. Thus, I used to meet our friends again and again. It would be very nice to meet elders and get blessings, meet colleagues to share ideas and youngsters to understand the present times, as we have still been in learning processes from others. From 2013 to 2020, I have to note the changes taking place there.

The Theme of the Seminar[5]: Nineteenth-Century of British India is a milestone for the social reform movement in India. In the course of century, the social reformers of Indian and Christian Missionaries adapted several initiations for the uplift of women as well as depressed classes. The reformers, as well as Missionaries in India, have studied the caste system of India. They observed the role of women down through the ages. For instance, in the Vedic period, women were in high esteem. Women shared education along with men. Since the 8^th Century, gradually women life became very seclude in Sub-continent. No refreshing streams flowed back, into the life of women in their homes and as centuries passed, the Brahmanical code. The decline of women education was so marked and rapid by the beginning of 19^th Century, hardly one woman in a hundred could read in Madras Presidency and Malwa. It may, therefore, be stated that at the advent of British rule, female education had practically disappeared from Hindu Community, nay, it was regarded as a source of moral danger, if not as an actual vice, since only dancing girls could normally read and write. In their families, the old tradition to teach reading & writing to the new generations was continued. However, from the second decade of the 19^th century with the initiation of East India Company, Missionaries and social reformers the importance of education of women and upliftment and elevation of depressed classes were started. In this way, the Indian renaissance started in nineteenth-century and several reforms transformed the Indian society in addition to the upliftment of woman status. Further, it also elevated the status of depressed classes.

The Sub-themes of the seminar: The following these were also identified as sub-themes for the seminar and paper presentation:

1. Role of Reformers
2. Upliftment of Dalits
3. Indian Renaissance in the 19th Century
4. Uplift of women
5. Role of Press in the Social Reform Movement
6. Role of Christian Missionaries
7. Status of women Education
8. Any other issue related to the Seminar theme

The seminar hall at the second floor had a facelift, but without lift and wash-room: About the seminar hall, I have already recorded in my earlier blog as, “The seminar was held at the auditorium situated at the second floor of the building. Here, there is no lift, in other words, the building has not changed like Ongole. Nowadays, lifts can be provided with 4 to 8 lakh budget and it is not at all a big amount for Universities, as they get funds. ” And still, no provision has been made for urinal/toilet/restroom facility, though, the seminar has been modernized with chairs, stage and AC facilities. The difference can be noted from the photos of mine included in my blogs covering the earlier seminars attended. Nowadays, people give facelift only forgetting the other parts and it happens everywhere. Many times, we talk about principles, lecture about code of conduct and advocate all sorts of moral values and all, but, when anything comes to practice, most of us want to avoid, evader even started arguing against apologetically.

Ongole, where I get varieties of pickles: Earlier, daily, I used to go for walking up to the junction where there is a church and statues for the former CM and the bodyguard that got killed in the air accidence. But, this year, because of my health condition, I could not go. In fact, here in the Hotel Abhilash, I was accommodated in the first floor Room no.215 along with Prof Madhusudhana Rao, Tirupati, where there is no lift. Thus, from 2013, except the hall, nothing has changed as for as the lift and urinal. Definitely, it has been difficult and inconvenience for the aged and as well as sugar patents, they might relax once in three hours or so. Incidentally, Ongole has been famous for food in the sense that they sell side-dishes separately in packets. When I had meals first time in 2013, I was about to complete the taking meal and get up, but, suddenly, the server came and pointed out that I did not taste the other side-dishes showing kept on the other side of the table. In fact, there were nearly 35 items, but, I could not taste all. They sell different varieties of pickles also. Last time, I purchased seven varieties of pickles that we cannot get in Chennai. This time, I could get only five varieties. Thanks to Prof Madhusudhana Rao, who only informed about this and got also!

The inauguration of the National seminar 19-02-2020: The moment, we reached the Campus, there was registration. Only 40 registered and 14 with papers. After registration, we went to the seminar hall on the second floor. I had great difficulty to reach the second floor, as I was not feeling well with the raising BP coupled with a breathing problem. The seminar appeared with a new look modified with new chairs and airconditioned. From my postings, you can note the difference between the old hall and the present one. The seminar was inaugurated on 19^th morning 11.00 hours by their officials and it was some sort of family affair with the routines of lamp lighting etc.. The chief guest was Sri V. Rangaraju, Director, AP State Archives. The theme of the seminar was explained by the convener, Dr G. Rajmohan Rao. The inaugural address was by Dr I. Thirumali and the key-note address by Prof Adapa Satyanarayana. The guests, invitees were honoured and they talked about the subject matter and issues of the seminar.

The paper presentation sessions: After the inaugural, there was lunch and after lunch, the paper reading session started.  Sudarshan, Madhusudhana Rao,…. and a lady presented papers. Dr Anjaiah presided over and presented his paper also. There was an audience of 20 only.  Madhusudhana Rao presented the paper, “Colonial Prostitution of Whites and Blacks: How White and Black prostitutions were considered, treated and controlled,” was a joint paper co-authored by K. V. Ramakrishna Rao. Perhaps, for the first time, this aspect has been raked up fr research and facts brought out about the British exploitation of Indian women during the colonial period, when much raise was heaped upon them for their great role involved in the upliftment of Indian women. V. Sudarshan read a paper on Durgabai Deshmukh, and such details are already available[6]. In fact, in Chennai, the hospital started by her working under the banner of  “Andhra Mahila Sabha” has been well known to serve the poor and the middle-class people of Chennai. The lady-paper presenter was blaming Brahmins for their exclusion, treating menstrual women kept in rooms, “too much untouchability” followed among themselves etc, but, in between, she was reading about other issues that are not connected with what he was trying to point out. Though Anjaiah and others discussed about Andhra women who worked for the upliftment of women, they never mentioned that those women were Brahmins. Thus, her bias in the paper presentation was revealed and it was questioned by Anjaiah, Sudarshan and others. The sectional president also advised her to take the points and change the paper suitably.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

23-02-2020

[1] National Seminar on Migration Movements and Indian Diaspora in Modern Period was held on April 3^rd and 4^th 2013 at the ANU Ongole campus. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/national-seminar-on-migration-movements-and-indian-diaspora-in-modern-period/

[2]  National Seminar on “Historicity of Ramayana” held at Ongole, Andhrapradesh on November 8^th and 9^th 2014. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/national-seminar-on-historicity-of-ramayana-held-at-ongole-andhrapradesh-on-november-8th-and-9th-2014/

[3]  Social Justice and the Marginalized in South India: Experiences and Challenges” – National seminar held at C. S. R. Sarma College, Ongole on July 30^th and 31^st, 2016. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here:

https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/social-justice-and-the-marginalized-in-south-india-experiences-and-challenges-national-seminar-held-at-c-s-r-sarma-college-ongole-on-july-30th-and-31st-2016/

[4] Indian press and Socio-cultural and Religious Transformation in Colonial Rule of 19^th and 20^th Centuries: A New Perspective – National Seminar held at Nsgarjuna University, Ongole Campus. My coverage of the proceedings can be read here in three parts:

Part-I – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-1/

Part-II – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-new-perspective-national-seminar/

Part-II – https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/indian-press-and-socio-cultural-and-religious-transformation-in-colonial-rule-of-19th-and-20th-centuries-a-new-perspective-national-seminar-held-at-nagarjuna-university-ongole-campus-3/

[5] Based on the circular of the seminar of the orgainizers issued this year 2020. However, I have a feeling that these sentences, I could remember of heard or read somewhere in some conference. I am not able to recollect immediately now.

[6] https://ddms.co.in/ – and https://ddms.co.in/founder/here about the institutional details can be found; https://ddms.co.in/milestones/ – here, the achievements of Durgabhai Deshmukh with details and photos can be seen.

The Proceedings of the First or Third Annual session of Telangana History Congress held at Osmania University on June 25th and 26th 2018 [1]

The Proceedings of the First or Third Annual session of Telangana History Congress held at Osmania University on June 25^th and 26^th 2018 [1]

Telengana History Congress dates changed: The first Telangana History Congress  (hereinafter mentioned as THC) would be held on June 23 and 24, 2018 in the Osmania University Arts College, thus, the news appeared in the HANS INDIA in April 2018 itself[1].

Founder-president of the congress Prof G Venkatrajam announced here that the congress would unveil Telangana’s history. Speaking to the media in the Department of History, he stated that the History Congress would strive to bring to light, sustain the State’s history and culture, and undertake research on unexposed history[2]. He said former Chief Secretary Narendra Luther would deliver the inaugural address, while Prof. Y Vaikuntam, former VC, Kakatiya University, a special lecture on Telangana. There would be special sessions on Telangana history, archaeology, medieval Telangana history, Deccan history. Lecturers of history, archaeology, research scholars, students and interested persons would be among those attending. Research papers for inclusion could be sent by June 5 to thcou@gmail.com [Later, it was extended up to June 15^th . Telangana History Congress local secretary and OU History Head Prof. K  Arjun Rao, general secretary Prof. Sadanandam, Treasurer Dr B Lavanya, EC Member Prof Swaroopa Shankar said details of the conference could be obtained by contacting Prof Venkatrajam(9393300825), Prof Arjun Rao(9849415593).

Even the first circular gave the same dates and details. But, second circular dated 07-05-2018 was issued changing the dates to June 25^th and 26^th 2018. Moreover, these circulars were circulated in “whatsup” groups. As I was noting in one group, I requested the organizers to send details through e-mail, but, I could not get any details. So I contacted K. Arjun Rao to confirm the dates and booked tickets accordingly. I also sent my paper by e-mail. But, he did not send the circular nor my paper was listed.

Osmania Guest House, where, I stayed surrounded with trees..

During morning walk, I saw pictures were strewn under a tree….making me remember the 2015 floods of Chennai……..

At that time, almost every flood-affected citizen of Chennai had to throw away all their drenched things on the roads……..one would be bewildered to see heaps of furnitures etc…on the roads…..

way to reading hall of main library……

the temple on the way to the reading hall……maintained by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam…..

Evidently, today [25-06-2018], the banner of THC was put up…….

Not many delegates attended THC: I was expecting that some Andhra [meaning Telugu speaking] friends would come to join me for the THC, but, none came. I could not understand the issue or politics behind. On 24-06-2018, I reached the Osmania University campus by 4.00 pm, as I informed Arjun Rao already about my plan.  The autowala dropped ne before the famous building where all demonstrations, dharnas used to take place. As there was no banner, volunteer or anything, I enquired student-like youngsters found there, but, none could tell anything about THC. So I contacted Arjun Rao and he asked me directly go to University Guest House. I went there and I was accommodated in the Room No.6. When I enquired about other delegates, the receptionist told that only one person had come and he was in room no.8 upstairs. From the register, I found that he was Prof Vijaya Babu of Kakatiya University. I went there and talked with him for sometime. I understand that he has become the HOD of the History department, as the term of Dr Srinath was completed. Till next day morning no more delegate came! So, it was evident that only few would attend the inaugural session of THC.

inaugural session, the VIPs on the dais….view from LHS

inaugural session, the VIPs on the dais….view from RHS

inaugural session, audience view…… RHS

OU – THC inauguration – audience- RHS.

This is the the lamp is light, nowadays, in all seminars, conferences etc…..all the learned scholars, experts and VIPs do this with chappals and shoes………..

in fact, I went near the place and pointed out also….but, one VIP told…..”….it is all right…..”

……………getting ready, “ASATO MA JYOTIR GAMAYA”!!!!!

Inaugural session of THC – June 25^th 2018 at the Ram Reddy auditorium: None came for picking up or informing where to go and attend the inaugural function. When I contacted, Arjun Rao informed to come to one “Ram Reddy auditorium”, behind the guesthouse. So when In contacted Vijay Babu, he said somebody was coming to pick up. But Dr Anjaiyah came in a scooter and Vijay Babu went away. Of course, he informed I would be picked up by one student. Thus, when I slowly walked own from guesthouse to main building, one student came to pick up and he dropped me at the auditorium – of Prof G Ram Reddy Centre for Distance Education. He is a PhD student Srinivas. After breakfast, when I went to auditorium, none was there. Then, slowly few people come and started arranging stage. After registration, I got one flimsy plastic folder containing a scribbling pad and pen, and nothing was there about the THC, list of papers, sectional presidents’ addresses etc. Being the “First session,” I thought, the conference would be grand with many scholars, historians and researchers, but it was carried on lackluster. It was to be held at Siddipet Govt. Degree College, but, in view of the Centenary celebrations of Osmania University, it was changed to the University venue on June 23^rd and 24^th 2018[3]. However, nothing was noted to get inspired, enthused or enjoyed about such “Centenary celebrations”! In the second circular[4], it was informed that the dates were also changed to June 25^th and 26^th June 2018 due to “Final semester examinations.”

In most of the blogs on IHC, SIHC, TNHC, APHC etc., I would not be appearing in the photos, as I have been moving and taking photos in different angles…..in the context…. so, now, I tried for few selfies……..with Dr Soma Reddy……

Prof Y. Vaikundam, Dr Deepak Kumar can be seen backside…

Dr / Prof Kishan Rao, Ayub Ali, H. Chaudhury, Soma Reddy…..

The proceedings of the Inaugural session of THC: In the auditorium, there were hardly 30 persons of audience. Suddenly around, 10 am, somebody informed “Rangarajan garu had come,” i.e, former Governor of AP came. Immediately, students and others entered occupying chairs. Yet, the audience was about 80 as we could count the heads. The following dignatories came and occupied the chairs: Profs / Drs G. Venkata Rajam, S. Ramachandram, C. Rangarajan, Narendra Luther, Raja Reddy, H. Rajendra Prasad, and M. A. Nayeem.

audience view …….

audience view….another side….Dr Srinivas, who dropped me at the venue can be seen ..

About 10.40 am they started lighting lamps and as usual, they came with shoes and doing the ritual with candle changing hands. In fact, I went  near the stage and commented also, but, one VIP responded “no problem” with bodily gesture “chalta hai”! By 10.43 am, the inaugural session started with “Vande mataram”, that surprised, as the secular historians and most of the history congresses do not do that! [See relevant photos above….]

yet another view of the audience …..middle row…..

10.50 to 10.54 am: The president of THC started reading report pointing out that the THC was started in 2007, first session held in 2008,  second in 2009, but stopped due to Telengana agitation. As no session was conducted since 2009, after nine years, it was revived. When APHC has been conducted regularly, it is not known what is the problem with THC. He also briefed about the “history of Telangana” starting from Satavahana period.

10.54 to 11.05 am – Dr C. Rngarajan: Dr C. Rangarajan in his inaugural address explained the research methodology adopted by different ideological groups of historians and history writers. Nowadays, certain group follows “deductive than inductive school” method in history…….the Marxists follow “materialistic interpretation” of how the society was changing from “feudalism to capitalism to socialism………” in economic history. Historians debated  about history as to whether it is  “collection of facts” or otherwise, as “facts alone cannot make history.” So historians have to analyze when facts can make history….objectivity should be there in interpretation of historical data.  In analyzing facts, there are two aspects – 1. The facts where they could be pure and 2. Where they cannot be pure. Quoting from Carr, he explained certain aspects with his interpretation. The view that “history is always written by the victors” should be changed, as history is “dialogue between the past and the present.” He explains with an example of “existence of mountain,” though, about the shape, historians differ in their perspectives, about the differing sizes and shapes, according to their ;points of references and places. In spite of all such differences, variance and inconsistencies, the fact is that “mountain exists.” That is why some stress about objectivity and scientific methodology of study of history.  In fact, history is  studied as one of the subjects of sciences as “systematized knowledge.” When science enquires and tests the theory, historians interpret and generalize the possibilities. Talking about “collective memory,” he stressed for objectivity. Even in the presentation of evidences, interpretations would be subjective than objective. Rangarajan said, “Historical facts should not be distorted to further an agenda. Good historians do not present the evidence according to their point of view. The very act of choosing a fact over another makes it lose its authenticity. Although subjectivity and interpretation cannot be avoided, there is a need to keep both of them distinct.”

11.05 to 11.23 am – Narendra Luther: Reiterating the same, and recounting how he wrote the autobiography on Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the first Qutb Shahi emperor, Luther said, “Historians have to shed their own likes and dislikes while writing books on history.”  Luther highlighted how important the work district gazetteers are in relation to recording history. Recounting an incident, Luther said, “In my experience, if a district gazetteer was a Brahmin, then he recorded only temples and ignored dargahs and mosques. That is not fair to others and oneself.”  In these contemporary times when selective facts or fake news are being propagated to further agendas, speakers at the inaugural session of the third Telangana History Congress, stressed on historians to be unbiased while writing. Narenda Luther started his speech, “Iam a dalit admitted today to a temple, …………….inside sanctum sanctorum……” about his presence on the stage. He claimed that he would restrict his speech to his own experience. He claimed that “Third world war has been going in the middle east by proxy……….” and UN and other bodies watching silently the violations. He was referring to the war on terror as ISIL was destroying the material evidences of Syria and other places. However, he did not name anything, but, tried to emphasize about the violation of human rights. He then, started telling about his books published in 1991 and so on. Thereafter, he stressed that historians should be unbiased, ……..judicious ….without any likes and dislikes…….Coming to Telangana state formation, he opined that smaller states could perform better than larger states….the backwardness of the UP has been due to its bigger size[5].

audience view……LHS view from the stage….

11.24 to 11.37 am – Dr Raja Reddy: Dr Raja Reddy, tried to trace the orgin of “Telangana” to “Asmaka” janapada based o the Satavahana coins. As none knows the exact name of the first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, numismatics help in knowing the names and geneology. ‘State’s history older than Satavahanas’ When D Raja Reddy was researching on Telugu history, he couldn’t find any material dating before the Satavahana era. That was when he looked towards medieval coin study for an answer. He was not disappointed. “We found that Telangana history doesn’t start from Satavahanas. It starts with Ashmaka janapada, one of the 16 Mahajanapadas.”  Mahajanapadas are the sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth to fourth century BC. “Ashmaka Janapada was the only one that was south of the Vindhyas. We have found coins belonging to Ashmaka Janapada era across Nizamabad,” Reddy added. Reddy concluded by highlighting the need to study coins more. “Majority of the historical sources before 1000 are from inscriptions and most of the inscriptions are from coins.  We need to study them more.” Though, Puranas give the the names and geneologies, all cannot be correlated and corroborated with the material evidences. From 8^th to 6^th centuries BCE, Lydia, China and India were the first countries to issue coims in the world. In the Satavana coins,  ship-type coins, where “two-mast ship” were depicted. They are very significant, because, till 11^th century, there was no “two-mast ship” used in the western world. He claimed that he saw 10 such Satavahana ship-type coinsin the US museum and 16 in in the British museum. I asked him as such two-mast ship tradition of issuance of coins continued with the Pallavas, why the Cholas did not issue any coins. He responded that they might have issued, but disappeared.

11.38 to 11.56 am – Dr M. A. Nayeem:  Dr. M. A. Nayeem, Senior Research Officer, Skate Archives and Research Institute, pointed out with his PP presentation that the exact “telangana” expression is foun in the expression, “mulk-i-tilang”. Of course, there was an expression, “telagadh” used in the Gondi language. He stressed that it was originated during the 14^th century based on the Mohammedan documents. There is other view that it is derived from “Trilinga desa,” as Andhra was famous for Saiva branch of Hindu religion[6].

11.58 am to 12.12 9m:  H. Rajendra Prasad talked about “one forgotten ruler” of Qutb Shah dynasty.

12.13 to 12.18 pm: A Souvenir and a book authored by Y. Vaikundam were released.

1.10 to 1.30 pm: After tea, the proceedings started with one “Eswari Bai memorial lecture” delivered by Y. Vaikundam.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

30-06-2018.

[1] THE HANS INDIA,  Telangana History Congress on June 23, 24, Apr 09,2018 , 11:32 PM IST.

[2] http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2018-04-09/Telangana-History-Congress-on-June-23-24/372955

[3] THC First Circulardated 09-04-2018.

[4] THC First Circulardated 07-05-2018.

[5] UP has already been divided into  UP and Uttaranchal.

[6] There are two popular interpretations for the word Telangana. One – Telangana is the distorted form of Trilinga + ‘aane’. Trilinga symbolizing three famous Shiva pilgrim places – Srisailam(in Kurnool district), Draksharamam(in East Godavari district) and Kaleshwaram (in Karimnagar district) – and ‘aane’ meaning region. Two – Telangana emerged from ‘Telang’ or ‘Tilang’ + nadu. Telang or Tilang is how Muslim rulers called Telugu and nadu is an administrative unit. Hence, either way, Telangana is the ‘land where Telugus live’.