Results 1 to 20 of 33

Thread: The Event/incident/Moment That Changed History

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    The Event/incident/Moment That Changed History

    There have been several instances in the history of mankind that a minor looking incident or event let loose such potential force that it changed the well thought out plan or idea, or generated so much vigour in the minds of men to change the course of History of mankind. For example, when an apple came down on the ground before the eyes of Newton, this incident led him to find out the cause as to why the apple did not go to sky instead of falling to ground. And Lo and Behold ! after this event he researched the cause of this event and came out with the theory of gravitation power of the Earth.

    In this thread we intend to discuss such trifles or moments in the history of the nation that changed the flow of history to altogether new direction. All are requested to quote such incidents, events, moments in the life of the Indian Nation that caused change in the flow of history in a different direction than that was usually supposed to happen.

    Thanks and regards
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to DrRajpalSingh For This Useful Post:

    navdeepkhatkar (May 17th, 2013)

  3. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by DrRajpalSingh View Post
    There have been several instances in the history of mankind that a minor looking incident or event let loose such potential force that it changed the well thought out plan or idea, or generated so much vigour in the minds of men to change the course of History of mankind. For example, when an apple came down on the ground before the eyes of Newton, this incident led him to find out the cause as to why the apple did not go to sky instead of falling to ground. And Lo and Behold ! after this event he researched the cause of this event and came out with the theory of gravitation power of the Earth.

    In this thread we intend to discuss such trifles or moments in the history of the nation that changed the flow of history to altogether new direction. All are requested to quote such incidents, events, moments in the life of the Indian Nation that caused change in the flow of history in a different direction than that was usually supposed to happen.

    Thanks and regards
    Dashratha's eldest son Rama was all set to take over in his hands the reign of Ayodhya from his father next morning.

    But the moment Kaikayee demanded fulfillment of the word given by her husband, every plan shattered and instead of throne,

    Rama had to move to Jungles for fourteen years.

    Thus the momentary decision of his step mother changed the smooth flow of history.
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  4. #3
    There are millions of of such if and buts in history. While analyzing history one has the luxury of hindsight wisdom. You quoted the example of Rama going into exile. Thank God Kaikai asked his exile only fr 14 years. else things would have been very different. Who knows, he would have taken over the kingdom of Lanka and ruled it himself. If we analyze Indian history, its filled with steps which indicate that Indians lacked political foresight. Had Prithivi Raj not pardoned Mohamed Ghori, things would have been very different. Indians never learned the art of political foresight. India handed over the Security council permanent membership on platter to China. India lost the opportunity of when Gwadar port in Pakistan was offered to her by Sultanate of Oman in 1947. India lost opportunity to solve Kashmir issue time and again. Mrs Gandhi was considered to be the wisest of all in dealing with adversaries. Even she was fooled by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while signing Shmila agreement. We remain as stupid as we were 1000 years back. Only good thing which has happened to India is her democracy, else our rulers would have sold us many time over without us even knowing.

    Our Late great Shayar Muzaffar Razmi rightly wrote;

    Taareekh ka zabr bhi dekha hai in aankhon ne
    lamhon ne khata ki, shadiyon ne saza payee.

    RK^2
    Last edited by rkumar; May 17th, 2013 at 04:55 PM.
    There are many paths leading to God, politics is certainly not one of them...

  5. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to rkumar For This Useful Post:

    cooljat (May 18th, 2013), DrRajpalSingh (May 17th, 2013), navdeepkhatkar (May 17th, 2013), rekhasmriti (May 18th, 2013), sanjeev1984 (May 17th, 2013), sivach (May 17th, 2013)

  6. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by rkumar View Post
    There are millions of of such if and buts in history. While analyzing history one has the luxury of hindsight wisdom. You quoted the example of Rama going into exile. Thank God Kaikai asked his exile only fr 14 years. else things would have been very different. Who knows, he would have taken over the kingdom of Lanka and ruled it himself. If we analyze Indian history, its filled with steps which indicate that Indians lacked political foresight. Had Prithivi Raj not pardoned Mohamed Ghori, things would have been very different. Indians never learned the art of political foresight. India handed over the Security council permanent membership on platter to China. India lost the opportunity of when Gwadar port in Pakistan was offered to her by Sultanate of Oman in 1947. India lost opportunity to solve Kashmir issue time and again. Mrs Gandhi was considered to be the wisest of all in dealing with adversaries. Even she was fooled by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto while signing Shmila agreement. We remain as stupid as we were 1000 years back. Only good thing which has happened to India is her democracy, else our rulers would have sold us many time over without us even knowing.

    Our Late great Shayar Muzaffar Razmi rightly wrote;

    Taareekh ka zabr bhi dekha hai in aankhon ne
    lamhon ne khata ki, shadiyon ne saza payee.

    RK^2
    very aptly said by RK , & equally ended with the quote ...
    Navdeep Khatkar
    मिट्टी का तन, मस्ती का मन, क्षण भर जीवन, मेरा परिचय

  7. #5
    It is not all truth to say that the Indians had always lacked political sagacity or foresight.

    For example, the chance meeting between Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya led to historic results

    of end of the foreign occupation of the country left behind by the Greek Alexander and

    the foundation of the great Maurya dynasty which gave ever greatest emperor, Asoka, the Great.
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  8. #6
    The concept of Welfare State is considered to be a modern gift of the western political thought.

    But India can rightly feel proud to announce that a chance meeting after the Kalinga battle between

    Emperor Asoka and the Buddhist sermon Mougaliputta Tissya led the former to the path of adoption

    of the path of piety and universal love. Asoka started to open Hospitals for men and animals, constructed

    roads, planted trees on important national highways and established shrines for the benefit of travellers,

    took up digging out wells and canals.

    Thus the chance meeting between the two led to far reaching consequences and made Asoka for what he

    is remembered, one of the ever greatest emperors of the world.
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to DrRajpalSingh For This Useful Post:

    bsbana (May 18th, 2013)

  10. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by DrRajpalSingh View Post
    It is not all truth to say that the Indians had always lacked political sagacity or foresight.

    For example, the chance meeting between Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya led to historic results

    of end of the foreign occupation of the country left behind by the Greek Alexander and

    the foundation of the great Maurya dynasty which gave ever greatest emperor, Asoka, the Great.
    Such incidents are very few in entire Indian history. Contrary to that the blunders are far too many. If one writes a book on " Blunders in Indian History", it will run in several volumes. battle of Panipat between marathas and Abdali sums it all. Never in the history of warfare one has heard of any army taking the women folks to the battle field. Loss in that battle changed the fate of India for ever. If one looks at warfare technology, nothing worth was invented in India during last 1000 years and this remains so even today.

    RK^2
    There are many paths leading to God, politics is certainly not one of them...

  11. #8
    I m not sure if this can be part of same or not . One of my favorite : In Mahabharat when Pandav and Kauravs were approaching different rulers for their Support . Both Duryodhan and Arjuna approached Krishna for his Support . Incident was like this :
    Duryodhan went to Krishna first but watching him sleep he did not wake him up sat there waiting for him to get up . Meanwhile Arjuna reached there , when Krishna woke up he saw Arjuna first and gave him his word . Later Duryodhan said I was here before waiting for you to get up . Then Krishna played the trick : Either ME or my whole ARMY .
    Duryodhan ( self proclaimed smart ) picked his army . And let Krishna go .

    As we all know ----Pandavs won only coz they had Krishna on their side . At every step Krishna played some trick and Pandavs kept winning .

    If Kauravs would have won instead of Pandavs------unimaginable twists n turns in mythology and India history .

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to rekhasmriti For This Useful Post:

    navdeepkhatkar (May 21st, 2013)

  13. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by DrRajpalSingh View Post
    Dashratha's eldest son Rama was all set to take over in his hands the reign of Ayodhya from his father next morning.

    But the moment Kaikayee demanded fulfillment of the word given by her husband, every plan shattered and instead of throne,

    Rama had to move to Jungles for fourteen years.

    Thus the momentary decision of his step mother changed the smooth flow of history.
    Does the Kaikayee, Dashrath episode qualify as a historical event?

    While the existence of a great king named Rama who fought a war with a foreign enemy is probably somewhat verifiable by historical sources, isn't the occurrence of events you quoted above, more mythology than history?
    Pagdi Sambhal Jatta..!

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to swaich For This Useful Post:

    DrRajpalSingh (June 20th, 2013)

  15. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by swaich View Post
    Does the Kaikayee, Dashrath episode qualify as a historical event?

    While the existence of a great king named Rama who fought a war with a foreign enemy is probably somewhat verifiable by historical sources, isn't the occurrence of events you quoted above, more mythology than history?

    Friend,

    The blend of myth and history is of course there in the Epics

    but a discernible eye could easily make difference between the two.

    The majority of the names of the cities/towns/places and persons

    given in both the Epics have been historically identified. The name

    Dasharatha, the father of Rama of Ayodhya mentioned in the Ramayana,

    has been well settled as a historical figure.
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  16. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by DrRajpalSingh View Post
    Friend,

    The blend of myth and history is of course there in the Epics

    but a discernible eye could easily make difference between the two.

    The majority of the names of the cities/towns/places and persons

    given in both the Epics have been historically identified. The name

    Dasharatha, the father of Rama of Ayodhya mentioned in the Ramayana,

    has been well settled as a historical figure.
    Perhaps you didnt read carefully, I cannot dispute the presence of a king named Ram and his father Dashrath. But did this episode between Kaikayee and Dashrath really occur? Is there are a record for this incident?
    Pagdi Sambhal Jatta..!

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to swaich For This Useful Post:

    DrRajpalSingh (June 22nd, 2013)

  18. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by swaich View Post
    Perhaps you didnt read carefully, I cannot dispute the presence of a king named Ram and his father Dashrath. But did this episode between Kaikayee and Dashrath really occur? Is there are a record for this incident?
    It is to be noted that in the studies of history of remote past in the absence of contrary evidence, traditions, recorded in any form, are accepted provisionally as source of information of the particular event or person. As and when some other solid information like numismatics, archaeological remains, eyewitness record etc. is found the tradition is tested in comparison with the newer evidence and rejected to the extent it contradicts the former.

    As regards the incident recorded in the Ramayana regarding fulfillment of earlier commitment made by Dashratha to his beloved queen Kaikaiyee for having saved the King's life during the course of war against enemy and subsequent events leading to banishment of Rama to exile for fourteen years show, the tradition assumes historical significance.

    Though no contrary evidence, perhaps, has been brought to notice so far by anyone yet it is open to suspicion in the eyes of some historians.!!
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  19. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by DrRajpalSingh View Post
    Friend,

    The blend of myth and history is of course there in the Epics

    but a discernible eye could easily make difference between the two.

    The majority of the names of the cities/towns/places and persons

    given in both the Epics have been historically identified. The name

    Dasharatha, the father of Rama of Ayodhya mentioned in the Ramayana,

    has been well settled as a historical figure.

    Dr. Rajpal, a few points to consider. Agreed that Ramayana, happened at some point of history in India and this has been told by mythological and religious account.

    Now the main points are:

    1. Ramayana predated Mahabharata. There are no artifacts that have been archaeologically dug, scientifically dated that can be related to kings or stories of Mahabharata and if there are so, please tell their location. So, talking about Ramayana takes even a much back stage due to it is older then Mahabharata.

    2. Okey, agreed that cities, towns, places, etc. have the same names, but the fact remains at what time did these cities get this name in history? According to some authors Mahabharata occured between 1800BC and 2500BC, so that means, Ramayana is older than 2500BC. So, where is the proof that the cities were called with same names in such an ancient period.


    .

  20. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to maddhan1979 For This Useful Post:

    DrRajpalSingh (September 29th, 2013), vikda (September 30th, 2013)

  21. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by maddhan1979 View Post
    Dr. Rajpal, a few points to consider. Agreed that Ramayana, happened at some point of history in India and this has been told by mythological and religious account.

    Now the main points are:

    1. Ramayana predated Mahabharata. There are no artifacts that have been archaeologically dug, scientifically dated that can be related to kings or stories of Mahabharata and if there are so, please tell their location. So, talking about Ramayana takes even a much back stage due to it is older then Mahabharata.

    2. Okey, agreed that cities, towns, places, etc. have the same names, but the fact remains at what time did these cities get this name in history? According to some authors Mahabharata occured between 1800BC and 2500BC, so that means, Ramayana is older than 2500BC. So, where is the proof that the cities were called with same names in such an ancient period.


    .
    Friend,

    Like so many other scholars you have also raised valid questions which seek logical answers. The same is the purpose of the debate started by me by initiating this thread.

    In fact this is the accepted method of research to start a debate and then get as many points of view explored as possible to reach nearer truth of the historical truth.

    Then what where and when did the events described in the Ramayana happen or did they not happen at all.

    Kindly share your study please.


    Thanks
    History is best when created, better when re-constructed and worst when invented.

  22. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by maddhan1979 View Post
    Dr. Rajpal, a few points to consider. Agreed that Ramayana, happened at some point of history in India and this has been told by mythological and religious account.

    Now the main points are:

    1. Ramayana predated Mahabharata. There are no artifacts that have been archaeologically dug, scientifically dated that can be related to kings or stories of Mahabharata and if there are so, please tell their location. So, talking about Ramayana takes even a much back stage due to it is older then Mahabharata.

    2. Okey, agreed that cities, towns, places, etc. have the same names, but the fact remains at what time did these cities get this name in history? According to some authors Mahabharata occured between 1800BC and 2500BC, so that means, Ramayana is older than 2500BC. So, where is the proof that the cities were called with same names in such an ancient period.


    .
    The closer they are to today's identifiable city names, more are the chances that the epic names may not be so ancient as some believe.
    Attention seekers and attention getters are two different class of people.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •