That article relies on the Aryan invasion/migration theory, which has now been discredited by modern genetic studies. See The peopling of India - Pragati
What nonsense. The aryan migration theory has only been discredited by right wingers in India who seem to believe that everything originated from India. Aryans originated from Central Asia. All archaeological evidence suggests this.
Reading this thread, i believe a lot of simplistic analysis has been done. While i agree with most points of PostColonial, his argument that India started declining under Mughal rule is too simplistic.
Yes, it is true there was very little scientific research under the great Mughals, so what? Science is no yardstick to judge a civilization. Hell even the European renaissance began with works of literature and art.
Under the Mughals, art, literature, architecture and trade flourished and major reforms in agriculture took place. It is only after Aurangzeb, India went into decline. Due to a combination of outrageously lavish spending by the later mughals and the constant wars they fought and the rise of European imperialism in India.
About the European renaissance that some are using as an argument against the Mughals, they are sadly misinformed. The Renaissance in Europe was not a result of "great scientific institutions" - they were none in Europe during the time of the great Mughals ( 1526 -1658). (The royal society in England was established only in 1660). The renaissance in Europe was a direct result of the fall of the Byzantine empire.
You see all the great intellectuals in Constantinople, rather than be killed by the Ottomans, decided to flee to Italy along with all important texts pertaining to the Roman empire. A rather wise choice. As a result Italy became the first nation to witness the "rebirth" of western civilization. Not patronage of scientific institutions by European monarchs or some sort of enlightenment they may have achieved during the middle ages, but rather fate/luck whatever you want to call it.
PS - To all those members who believe that India was developed by outsiders or civilization started in India after Muslim rule or some such rubbish, please read up real history. If you say such things outside your respective nations, you'll be laughed out of the building.