Writer and journalist Utpal Kumar has once again brought fresh perspectives on history in his new book, Eminent Distorians: Twists and Truths. His previous book, Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy, was well-received. In this latest work, Kumar presents new facts and evidence to show how history has been altered over time.
The title of the book itself hints at its theme. The word “Distorian” refers to someone who distorts history, and Kumar argues that many well-known historians have misrepresented historical facts. He claims that history has been rewritten to fit certain narratives, often ignoring or twisting the truth.
One example he gives is the Capsule Incident from the time of Indira Gandhi. According to Kumar, Indira Gandhi had a history book written about herself and Jawaharlal Nehru, which was later buried under the Red Fort. This, he says, is an example of how history was manipulated for political purposes.
Kumar also discusses how historian Bipin Chandra supported Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, blaming Jay Prakash Narayan for the situation. In the first chapter, he challenges the idea that Vedic Culture and the Harappan Civilization were separate, arguing that they were actually part of the same history. He also questions the popular theory that Aryans invaded or migrated to India, saying there is no solid proof to support this claim.
Another key argument in the book is about India’s cultural influence. Kumar says that Indian civilization extended from Central Asia to Japan. He also discusses historical rulers like the Kushans, Huns, and Kanishka, stating that despite their invasions, they were culturally part of India.
The book also covers the Mauryan and Gupta periods. Kumar criticizes leftist historians, particularly Irfan Habib, for downplaying the Gupta era, which many consider India’s Golden Age. According to Kumar, these historians argue that true progress can only be achieved when the caste system is abolished.
Kumar also challenges the way Mughal history has been presented. He argues that historians have portrayed Indian kings as weak, easily defeated by the Mughals, when in reality, many Indian rulers fought bravely and won several battles. He points out that Muslim invaders had attacked India even before Mohammad Qasim’s invasion in 1100, but were repeatedly defeated.
The book concludes with a discussion on the 1857 Revolt and India’s Freedom Struggle. Kumar questions the conventional view that Mahatma Gandhi played the biggest role in India’s independence. He claims that historians close to the government downplayed the contributions of revolutionaries like Veer Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh. Because of this, a distorted version of history has been taught to the public.
In the end, Kumar argues that the history we know today is not the real history of India. Instead, it is a history shaped by foreign invaders who wrote their own version of events. Despite years of independence, there has been no serious effort to correct these distortions. Through Eminent Distorians, Kumar aims to reveal the true history of India and highlight how some historians have glorified foreign rulers while ignoring Indian heroes. If you are interested in looking at history from a fresh perspective, this book is a must-read. It offers a new way to understand India’s past, free from biased narratives.
