संवाद # 95: How old are Hindus, Hindustan, India's cultural & political unity | Dr Meenakshi Jain

#ancientindia #hindustan #hindu MeenakshiJain is a historian interested in cultural and religious developments in ancient and medieval India. Her recent publications include Vasudeva Krishna and Mathura (2021); Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples (2019); The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya (2017); Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse (2016); and Rama and Ayodhya (2013). In 2020, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Her latest book 'The Hindus of Hindustan: A Civilisational Journey' is now out. You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.in/HINDUS-HINDUSTAN-Civilizational-Journey/dp/8173056811/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=rigrD&content-id=amzn1.sym.abf785eb-c261-4662-bda7-16fd802b4d00&pf_rd_p=abf785eb-c261-4662-bda7-16fd802b4d00&pf_rd_r=Q2TAG0E7F9MAJ861T5ZD&pd_rd_wg=pnsaT&pd_rd_r=bce8d7e0-e5c0-4432-9285-ae24802258d5&ref_=pd_gw_bmx_gp_38c9weno 0:00 Meenakshi Jain’s most important book 2:47 How old are Hindus and Hindustan 4:37 How our sacred geography expanded 6:41 Indians had solid consciousness of India by 500 BC 9:43 How the institution of Tirth united India culturally 13:42 Chanakya & antiquity of India’s political unity 17:29 The consciousness of Cholas 18:57 Common men & women patronised Dharma 25:12 Did Brahmins impose Sanatan Dharma on masses? 26:52 Mathura as melting pot of Dharmik panths 29:52 The unity of Sacred dharmik symbols 32:30 Reality of Dharma Shastras 36:02 Aryavarta - Meaning & its expansion 39:25 Manu & how Indians viewed foreigners 42:47 Interesting history of Maga & Kamboj Brahmins 44:15 Did we induct foreign warrior groups into our social system 47:18 Why Gurjar kings used 'Pratihara' title 49:01 How earlier invaders became Hindu 54:35 Why Hindus became wary of foreigners - Islamic invasions 58:18 Brave Hindu resistance against Islamic invaders 1:06:06 Why no big temple in Chandni Chowk 1:09:51 Why Raja Maan Singh feared building a temple 1:11:47 Mughal oppression of farmers 1:15:36 Akbar promoted Persian, not Hindi 1:18:01 How Urdu was born 1:21:34 Real reason why Akbar hired Hindu officials 1:24:49 Mughal mindset always preferred foreigners