How was Aurangzeb a bigot?
He actually included more Hindus into his government then Akbar. He was also the first ruler in a almost a 1000 years to unite all of India.
I feel the only reason Hindus like Akbar was because for all intents an purposes he had given up Islam. Which just shows Hindu bias against Islam.
Auranjeb reinstated the Jizya . Regardless of how legitimate Muslims considered it , it was still a burden of oppression for the Hindus and historically Auranzeb was well aware of the fact. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed and his sons slain ( eldest sons died in battle while the younger two were bricked alive in a wall --
for refusing to change their faith ), The Jatts revolted under Auranjeb's policies , So did the Marathas ( Shahaji Bhosle was an administrator at the Sultan of Bijapur's court , it took Shivaji -his son an open revolt after Aurangzeb lured him to court, humiliated him because of his faith and placed him under house arrest .
Revolt against all Muslim rulers was because of the difference of faith between the elite ruling class of medieval times and the common folk , the vast majority of whom were Hindus.
That is historically documented. One or two contradictory accounts or even instances cannot cloak the atrocities done in the name of religion.
And it is here that you are categorically wrong! No group has greater prominence. Everyone is equal under the law, a minority can go just as far as a Muslim. The only limitation is that a non Muslim cannot be the prime minister, but they can be in parliament.
I think this is fair considering that in America even if you are a citizen, but you were born outside the USA you cannot become president.
Why do we then see hardly any prominent person in Pakistan who is of a different faith. The % of minorities is no excuse , it simply shows that the conditions prevalent in Pakistani society have not been conducive for their growth in population and affluence for the last 60 years .
Is it really? what percent of the population are Sikhs? 1%? 5%?
this is rather ridiculous to say that you expect a tiny percent of the population to hold high office
Not even one Police Chief ? Not even one scientist ? In India even a Parsi , is spotted in high positions. Do you know the % of Parsis in India ? Must be less than 0.001% .
At least the Sikh Diaspora worldwide is living testament to how industrious and hardworking the sikh community is , so its like I said --very much an anomaly.
Lets compare to India, with its 15% Muslim population
how many Muslim PMs do you have? how many Muslim generals, how many Muslims billionaires?
We have at least 3-4 Muslim presidents , several Muslim vice presidents , billionares ( Aziz Premji ) several other personalities --very much prominent but that's no comparison given that Indian Muslim population is about 150-160 millions.
You can compare the Sikh population in India . Its 1.9% of the total population. Now compare the prominence of Sikhs here --in the Army , civil services , Industry , Polity etc etc
This is the 3rd time I am saying this but its still true
the points you are bringing up have more to do with anti Islam and anti Pakistan bias in your secular India, than any reality on the ground.
Its the truth which may seem like Anti-Pakistan bias but that does not make it any less true. Not anti-Islam bias for sure but anti-fundamentalism bias.
While I salute you for being so inclusive I will have to say that India is facing extreme problems with home grown fundamentalist and extremists. So to me it is really strange to get a lecture form some who doesn't have his own house in order.
It's like being told I live in a dirty room by someone who also lives in a very dirty room.
You are free to talk about India's problems but considering the state of our country , the peace , development and acceptance ..I would say we are indeed ahead.
Besides , If I were an American or any other nationality would you lend me your ears more willingly ? Try to see my points beyond nationality .
Regards,