Selective Amnesia

A few things about history

I used to be fascinated by the History of Madras. I still am. I used to marvel at the dealings, the wars, the politics, the trade and the general goings on that shaped, sculpted and made Madras what it is.

I used to be fascinated to read of the building they builders of Madras built. I loved the way a city was carved out of just sand and water. Till I started reading up on the history of the state that Madras is capital of. And I am no more vowed by the British as I was. The struggles and the tribulations that created the Tamil culture. The dynasties and their contributions. The trade that made the Chettiars among the richest people even today.

The Cholas and the Pandyas and the Pallavas. The temples and forts they built. The alliances they forged and the power struggles that they had makes the British-French conflict look like sibling rivalry.
I now almost look down upon the British period of Madras. Yet, this is my city. This is the one city I shall never talk badly about, no matter what it deals me.
—

The problem with historians is that they start looking for facts first and then formulate theories. I, on the other hand, formulate my theory first, the story, if you might, and then look for facts.
It is very difficult to look for artefacts from 300 years before, let alone 3000, and then deduce what they might mean and what stories they might tell. I, on the other hand, look for a believable story that conforms to known facts, and then look for the artefacts to corroborate my story. It is very easy to look for evidence once you suspect something.

In case I ever become a historian/cultural anthropologist, I think I will be quoted saying this.
—
Vallam, Sadurangapattinam (Sadras), and Mahabalipuram. Three spots I visited a week back. I am yet to overcome the rock-cut temples in Vallam. So old, yet so neglected. Or is it so neglected because it is so old.

Sadras is about half-way to Pondicherry from Madras. Is a site of an old fort. Now in ruins, though an ASI property. Overlooking the sea, it must have seen quite a few things in its life. If only stones could speak.

Mahabalipuram. Everytime I go there, I see something new. Not always something I like though. Like a resort that’s way to close to the temple for comfort. But then, the market demands it, and therefore it is ok by me. But this trip I saw something new and something that I absolutely loved. Those treasures from the sea. Fascinating.