History, especially of India’s medieval period, needs correction. For a long time and for well-intentioned reasons, there was an attempt to downplay the degree of destruction of Hindu artefacts, temples and centres of learning by Turkic invaders and subsequent Islamic rulers. The argument was put forward that this was largely in the nature of loot and plunder which was a common feature of medieval conquests. But, as I have said in my book, The Great Hindu Civilisation, there was a great deal of savagery and destruction that was motivated by religion or religious hostility and proselytisation. Will Durant, the renowned historian and the author of the Story of Civilization, says, “The Mohammedan conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.” The Islamic conquest of India in the eleventh century CE left Hindu India physically destroyed and psychologically traumatised. Nevertheless, first and foremost, there is a need to accept history.
However, a school of writers and historians is committed to portraying the Islamic invasion as some kind of great syncretic carnival, in which the invaders came and feasted on local delicacies while the conquered ate a happy morsel of biryani, and both sat down to work out the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb that we so highly value today. But that cherished tehzeeb came up in spite of great damage and destruction. Historical truths cannot be erased, denied or crossed over because suppression creates an equal and more dangerous counter-reaction. Hence, reconciliation with history is best done by acceptance.
Gunj Diary: A Riot Of Colours In McCluskieganj 
The Lost Glory Of McCluskieganj 
