Afghanistan is inextricably linked to the Indian subcontinent. Which must be the reason Pakistan and India feel so linked to it. Mahabharats Gandahar, where Gandhari came from, has been argued is todays Kandahar, where the plane was hijacked to. The history of Afghanistan dates back to 50,000 years. A crucible for both both Sanatan Dharma as also Zoroastrianism. As its founder Zoroaster is thought to have lived and died in Balkh. Thus it was the hinge for two great civilizations. Persian and Indian. Both felt connected to her. Like sons are to mothers. For she could also have been the womb of both Persian and Sanskrit. Possibly, because of this nexus, the two civilizations have sought to claim her. As also the fact that she was the orifice to the bowl of Central Asia. A connection of history now forgotten. And it was a tug o war. Something this article doesnt seem to acknowledge. For Zorastrianism was dominant in Afghanistan after Sanatan Dharma. The Achaemenid Empire claimed her. And Alexander, on his romp, imprinted himself on her face, even as he was mystically pulled by the East. Then the Mauryans sought to reclaim. With Vedicism and Buddhism. Ghaznavi, Ghori and Taimur also were drawn into this plexus of geography and history and contributed to creating its Gordian knot. Was it an earlier conquest of the gangetic plain which imprinted itself on the genes of her people, or the old story of rivalry between Persia and India which prompted it, but the Afghanis couldnt keep themselves away from the plains of Ganges and the product was the Mughals. We will continuously strive to draw lines on water as per our convenience, to forward our particular case. But the truth is, we are inextricably tied to each other. Any desire to rule each other will only result in a ping pong across history. Any pain inflicted will only try and perpetuate itself across history. Only we, Iran, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan working together can unknot its knot and reap its benefit. That, a mother would always want of her sons. Not claims, but harmonious coexistence.
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 04:13:36 +0000
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