The Indian Perspective of History
When Are We?
India has been part of the human story since the first human migration out of Africa. The birth of History from Prehistory is considered when humans started writing; this period in Indian history starts with the stubbornly indecipherable Indus Valley Script about 5500 years ago. After the Indus script, Indian History goes into hiding for the modern historian as the next evidence comes to us only in the 3rd Century BC from the edicts of King Ashoka. We are left with a dark spot of more than 3000 years.
The Indian Concept of Time
The key difference in the Indian perspective stems from the understanding of Time in Indian philosophy. What stands out is that Indian understanding of time is cyclical.
“kalo gati nivritti stithih samdadhati” — ‘Time is that instant when the past, future and present intersect.’
From Reincarnation to Yugas, Avatars to Karma, time is a cycle for the individual and the world. In a world where time is cyclical and considered Anadi & Ananta (i.e. eternal), it matters little when events happened — value is given priority over chronology.
Adherence to Lineage
The cornerstone of early Indian thought comes from the Vedas, composed by several Rishis. The feeling of indebtedness to this knowledge is so innate that one is considered to be born with RishiRna — an original indebtedness to sages whose knowledge will benefit from. What is unique to India is the reverence of previous knowledge, where additions to previous theories and new knowledge are added on to existing treatises.
Oral Traditions & the Love of Storytelling
From the genesis story of Vaivasvata Manu to the Puranas, Indian knowledge for many millennia has relied on an unbroken chain of oral transmission from generation to generation. Indians knew that everyone remembers a good story. The objective of History is not to provide answers; it is to provide context.
Indian History vs Itihas & The Purusharthas
Itihasa is the story of the past, not just a record of the things that happened. It is meant to convey usable advice on the principal aims of life — the four Purusharthas: Dharma (moral code), Artha (economics), Kama (desire), and Moksha (salvation).
The 4 noble pursuits are relevant for everyone — not just Kings, Sages or a few special people. There is no absolute answer; it means what it means to you. These are personal values, not facts.
Bringing It All Together
The threads of Kama, Artha, Dharma & Moksha combine to create intricate patterns on the fabric of time. This is the Indian perspective for the Innovation & Indian History Series — the perspective of Purusharthas over time.