Over the past two decades, several Left-wing historians have indulged in high-voltage propaganda that Rama was not a deity before Tulsidas wroteRamcharit Manas in the 16th century. The purpose, of course, is to discredit the movement for reclamation of his birthplace. For if there is no proof of Rama and his Ayodhya, the movement falls into disrepute.
Historian Meenakshi Jain has given a robust reply to those who question the historicity of Rama as deity, and provided ample historical proof of Ayodhya as the city of Rama. She leaves no stone unturned in collating all historical and literary evidence relating to Lord Rama. In her talks she cites evidences from literature, sculpture and epigraphy to prove about the popularity of Rama since antiquity.
The question of his becoming a deity only after the publication of Ramcharit Manas in the era of the Mughal emperor Akbar, has been answered with ample evidence to discourage even the most arrogant Leftist historian from repeating old lies again.
About Meenakshi Jain :
Meenakshi Jain is an Associate Professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi. She was Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti.