The events happening around the world might seem like chaos and majority of them might appear to be insignificant. But all insignificant events have the power to create a small change on the initial conditions that can result in a significant outcome of history. This is known as the butterfly effect. Simple insults and pranks have resulted in overthrowing of empires and formation of global religions. Modern politicians are frequently locked in the war of throwing insults at each other. Slaps are making big rustle in Indian media now a days. From Gauri Khan to Shahrukh Khan, from Kejriwal to Sharad Pawar, all of them have been in the news for wrong reasons. Here are five slaps and insults that have changed the history of India, and of the world. One can never know about how things would have turned up if the past was a bit different. Some of the interpretations below might seem a bit stretched. With history there is always an alternative narrative. But, who knows?
1. An Insult that created one of the largest Empires of India
It was 3rd century BC. Alexander’s army were creating havoc on the other side of Indus. In Magadha, on the bank of Ganges, was the heart of the mighty Nanda Dynasty. Their reputation was enough to break the confidence of Alexander’s brave men. Dhana Nanda was the king at that time. He wanted to recruit a learned brahmin to run his charity centre. A dark and shavy brahmin entered the king’s court to apply for the position. The court had nine seats lined up on either side of the throne. Eight of them were meant for the princes, and one for the most learned brahmin. Without asking for permission, the dirty looking brahmin promptly sat on the ninth throne. When the princes asked him to step down, the brahmin refused. He said that he was the most learned Brahmin in the kingdom. He was ready to debate and prove his skill. If he lost he would step down. An angry Dhana Nanda ordered his men to drag the ugly brahmin out of the court. The soldiers pulled him by the turf of his hair and threw him out. The Brahmin, named Chanakya, took an oath “I will not tie my tuft of hair until I uproot the whole Nanda dynasty and establish dharma in Magadha. Rulers like you have spoiled Bharat. The tuft of hair which you arrogantly pull now will be like a serpent which comes back to bite you.” It indeed came back to bite them. Chanakya groomed an young kid named Chandragupta, and together they would destroy the Nanda Dynasty. It would be the beginning of Mauryan Empire, and a new era in Indian history. This would also be the beginning of cultural exchange between Indians and Greeks, changing East and West forever.
CHANAKYA
2. An innocent slap resulted in the spread of Buddhism around the globe
Chandragupta ruled for 24 years before leaving his throne to his son, Bindusara. Bindusara consolidated the Maurya Empire and ruled for 28 years. His son Sumana was groomed as the future king. One day young Sumana slapped the baldhead of his father’s chief minister as a prank. That small mistake would change not only his destiny but also that of the world. Radhagupta, the angry chief minister, realised that a man who does not respect others would never be an able king. He allied with other ministers and turned them against Sumana and in favour of another son of the king named Ashoka. When Bindusara heard that Ashoka was conspiring to kill him and seize the throne, he sent him away from their capital Pataliputra to govern a faraway land in Ujjain. It was here that Ashoka fell in love with a merchant’s daughter named Devi. Devi was an adherent follower of Buddhism, and it is from her that Ashoka learned about the religion. Meanwhile, there was a rebellion among the Taxilans. A sick and unsuspecting Bindusara, on the advice of his chief minister, sent his able son Sumana to curb the rebel. The king’s health was deteriorating. Bindusara immediately sent the news to Sumana and requested him to return as fast as he could. Radhagupta’s men purposefully delayed the news. It was Ashoka who got the news early and was able to reach Pataliputra before his brother. The king died soon after, and Ashoka declared himself as the new king. On hearing about the treachery of his brother, Sumana marched with his army to get back his throne. It was Radhagupta’s turn to return the prank, and this time it was more lethal. An artificial elephant was created with an image of Ashoka riding on it. A hidden ditch was dug around it as a trap. On seeing Ashoka, Sumana attacked it will full force but fell into the ditch and was killed. Ashoka became the new king of Magadha. Ashoka made Buddhism his state religion and invested a lot of money and effort to promote it in and outside India. If not for Ashoka, Buddhism would have never spread to China and there would have been no necessity to popularise printing. If you take away that one little child’s play from history, and with it the entire history of Buddhism, the world would have been a lot different.
ASHOKA
3. Arrogance that overthrew the Mughals
At their peak Mughals were the most powerful rulers in the world. It was during the time of Aurangzeb (ruled from 1658 to 1707) that the rein reached its greatest extent. The powerful king had one small problem down south. The problem had a name - Shivaji. Shivaji, the Maratha King, was once called to Aurangzeb’s court with the promise of being given royal favours. Shivaji was persuaded by Jai Singh and was assured of protection. Shivaji came to the king’s court but felt insulted and went out of the court protesting. According to the Marathas the Mughals insulted Shivaji by treating him like a man of low status, while as per the Mughal authors Shivaji was rude to his king and misbehaved. The Rajput account mentions that people respected Shivaji, before he came to Aurangzeb’s court, for his bravery. But after the audacity he showed in the king’s court, people started praising his courage even more. Shivaji’s behaviour infuriated Aurangzeb, and he was persuaded by the nobles to imprison and probably kill Shivaji. Shivaji came to know of Aurangzeb’s intentions and managed to escape with his son, disguised as saints. Jai Singh might have helped him in the escape. After a lot of struggle and lucky escapes, Shivaji made it to Rajgad. Letting Shivaji escape was the biggest mistake the Mughals made. Aurangzeb remembered the mistake on his deathbed 50 years later. Shivaji’s coronation took place on 6 June 1674CE. He started printing his own coins, thus declaring independence from the Mughals. The Marathas would go on to replace the Mughals as the most powerful rulers of India.
SHIVAJI
4. A slap that created the Empire on which the Sun never Set
Decline of Mughal power adversely affected trade as roads became infested with thieves and pirates. Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Bengal, declared himself independent from the Mughals. Murshid was born in a Brahmin family but was sold to a Persian nobleman. He lived his life in Persia before joining the Mughals in revenue department. Aurangzeb appointed him as the dewan of Bengal in 1700CE. After Aurangzeb’s death, he became the de facto ruler of Bengal. His liberal rule led to peace and prosperity. It was the beginning of independent Nawabs of Bengal. Young Siraj-ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal in 1756CE. When he came to know about British ploy against him and fortification of Fort Williams, he attacked and seized Kolkata. Over five dozen captives were locked up in a cell meant for just six as a temporary arrangement. Unfortunately, they were kept there overnight due to miscommunication. Forty-three captives, including few British women, died inside the cell that has been named black hole. European media exaggerated the news and created a perfect opportunity to settle the matters. Robert Clive sailed from Chennai with his army to recapture Bengal. He first attacked and defeated the French who were supporting the Nawab in Chandernagar. The British then attacked Siraj in Plassey on the banks of Hooghly. Siraj lost the battle even before it began as few of his own men conspired against him. Siraj once slapped and imprisoned the wealthy banker Jagat Shet after he refused to give him a loan of 3 crore rupees. Jagat Shet was the most powerful banker of his time, and had a lot of political connections. East India Companies official historian Roben Orme described his as 'the greatest shroff (money changer) and banker' in the known world. Jagat refused to be one of Siraj’s oppressed subjects. Angry Jagat, along with Omichund and Mir Jafar, allied with Robert Clive. The betrayal made it an easy win for the British in what was supposed to be the most decisive battle in the history of the world. A slap once made Buddhism a dominant world religion. Another one helped British dominate the globe. Siraj managed to run away but was caught and murdered. British Empire might have never spread to Bengal and rest of the world if not for that slap.
MURSHID QULI KHAN
5. The insult that divided India
Jinnah was one of the brightest political leaders of India. He studied in a madrassa in Karachi and was trained as a barrister in Lincoln’s Inn. He was the youngest Indian to be called to the bar in England. Jinnah was working towards Hindu-Muslim unity and was part of the moderate faction of Congress. By the time Gandhi joined INC, the moderates had become weak and Jinnah was left alone. He joined All India Muslims League (AIML) to bridge the growing gap between the League and Congress. Jinnah did not like Gandhi’s over-religious approach to politics and the mass hysteria he created. To him, ‘politics is a gentleman’s game’. After his wife’s death, Jinnah settled in London with his daughter Dina. That would have been the end of his political carrier. When he heard from his friend that Jawaharlal said ‘Jinnah is finished’, he returned to politics and to India with vengeance. Jinnah and his party AIML started their campaign for partition. The new country would be called Pakistan, meaning the land of pure. It also had the initials of Punjab, Afghan, Kashmir, and Sindh. To achieve this objective, Jinnah brought himself close to the British government. Jinnah's revenge led to bloodbath during partition of India, the repercussions of which can be felt even today.
JINNAH
Do you know of any small events that have triggered big historical events? Comment below.
Written by Subhrashis Adhikari
Author of 5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes
"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India
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