Independence struggle began earlier than 1857: Wali Rahmani

By TwoCircles.net correspondent

Munger(Bihar): A seminar organized in Munger remembered the contributions of Bihar and Bengal during the independence movement. Maulana Wali Rahmani recalled now forgotten wars of independence dating earlier than 1857 to highlight the fact that 1857 was not the first war of independence.

A three day national Seminar on the 'Role of Bihar and Bengal in independence war and the contribution of Urdu Language and literature' was inaugurated by Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav Minister of State for Water Resources, Government of India. The three day seminar was jointly organized by Rahmani Foundation, Munger and National Council for promotion of Urdu Language, New Delhi.

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1857: first war of Independence?

By Maulana Muhammad Wali Rahmani

The arguments in favor of the popular perception about the war of 1857 do not hold ground in light of the historical facts hidden deliberately from the public eye. To say that the war of 1857 was the first Independence war because the Indian nation took part in it is not a strong point. Because, Tipu Sultan, Ali Wardi Khan and Sirajuddaula, though individuals, led an army against the British army and their people were behind them too. The number of casualties in the war between Sirajuddaula and the British army was much higher than that in the war of 1857.

Similarly, the argument that pre-1857 wars were led by nawabs and kings, and thus they were not popular wars is also weak in view of the historical facts.

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Buddhist institute coming up in Bihar

Submitted by Mudassir Rizwan on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 08:55.

By IANS

Patna : A Japan-based organisation is setting up a research institute of Buddhism and oriental studies in Bihar's Bodh Gaya, a city revered for being the place of Buddha's attainment of enlightenment.

The institute set up by the International Buddhist Brotherhood Association (IBBA) will promote world peace and understanding of different cultures through research and learning, according to officials of the association.

Yataro Daikubara, general secretary of IBBA, said the Institute of Buddhist and Oriental Studies would start functioning from 2010.

Bihar Governor R.S. Kidwai laid the foundation of the institute Tuesday near Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, about 110 km from here.

Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree behind the temple about 2,550 years ago. The Mahabodhi temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Yataro Daikubara said the institute would help all those keen on studies and research on Buddhism and oriental subjects.

The institute will offer facilities for higher studies and research work for scholars around the world.

"It will be a centre of excellence for scholars, researchers and students interested in pursuing comparative studies in history, languages, history of art, particularly Buddhist art, humanities, cultural heritage and religions of the world. It will be an autonomous institute," he said.