“Jahan dal dal per sone ki Chidiyaan karti hain basera wo Bhaarat desh hai mera”
Sanatan Dharam (Hindu Dharam) is the most sacred, ancient, tolerant, universal, and scientific religion in the world. Bharat has been the most inclusive, pluralistic, and culturally diverse civilization. Bharat was one of the largest economies in the world, starting around the end of 1st millennium BC and ending around the beginning of British rule in India. By 300 BC, the Maurya Empire had united most of the Indian subcontinent, resulting security, enhanced trade and commerce, with increased agricultural productivity.
From 1-1000 AD India constituted 30% of the world’s GDP. After the arrival of British, Bharat experienced deindustrialization and cessation of various craft industries. Its share of the world economy declined from 24.4% in 1700 to 4.2% in 1950, and global industrial output also declined from 25% in 1750 to 2% in 1900. Britain’s rise for 200 years was financed by its “Looting “Bharat.
Role of Santan Dharam in Economic Development:
1.Educational System of Ancient Bharat: Both formal and Informal ways of educational system existed in ancient India. Indigenous education was imparted at home, temples, Pathshalas, Gurukuls etc.
Gurukul System: Also known as ashrams, were the residential places of learning. In the Vedic system Gurus and Shishyas lived together- shishyas were responsible for the chores in and around the ashrams. The main purpose was to have complete learning leading to a disciplined life and realizing one’s inner potential.
Education was free, the teacher took care of everything, including food, clothing, and housing. Access to good education depended not on wealth but on talent. Shishyas learnt physical labor participated in debates and discussions received a complete education. Education for women was important, such an educational system and the social structure created a strong society and economy. It played an important role in the social and economic development of the state. Arthashastra is one of the oldest surviving treatises on statecraft authored by “Kautilya” (Chaanakya) explains the social/economic and political landscape of a state. This book is used worldwide – the US army still teaches their new cadets.
2.Sanatan Dharam –Science and Development: Albert Einstein quote: “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” Unlike other religions Sanatan Dharam is most compatible with science. The history of science and technology in Indian subcontinent dates to prehistoric human activity of Indus Civilization. Indian astronomers recognized the planets in our social system they also accurately calculated Solar year as 365.25. Indians invented zero and the number system, decimal system, value of Pi, algebra, trigonometry, calculus and many other mathematical systems. One of the most important contributions of Ancient Bharat is “Atomism- the concept of atom dates to 6th century BC, contributing to space rockets and quantum physics. Ancient Indians also performed successful; surgeries, including cataract surgeries. They created the yoga system both for physical and mental well-being and health. The sun-centered planetary system of Hindu tradition fit better with modern science. Sanskrit, the Vedic language, is considered the most compatible language for computers and Artificial Intelligence. Science has played an important role in the economic development of ancient Bharat.
3.Society of ancient India: – believed in Varna-Ashrama or Varna-Ashrama dharma;
The concept of Varna- Ashram –dharma is based on division of labor and dignity of labor. The services of all classes have been deemed to be equally valuable for society in their own ways. It works as a principle of spiritual unity amongst the four classes and is an excellent mechanism of social adjustment. No society can flourish unless its members realize their duties and perform them sincerely.
4.Organizational entities in Ancient Bharat affecting Economic growth Along with the family- and individually owned businesses, ancient Bharat possessed other forms of engaging in collective activity. Pani and Shreni (or guilds) were a multifaceted form of economic and social organization that combined the function of professional association, political institution, trade union and court of justice. Such a well-organized system was the main contributing factor for Bharat’s economic boom. Ancient Bharat was well advanced in metallurgy, made sharp tools, weapons from copper, bronze, tin, traded in terracotta pots, gold, silver and colored gemstones, pearls metals etc. This was the “Golden age of India”
5.Economic activity in ancient India: Farming and trade were the two most important in the economic growth of Bharat. Farmers could trade food for other things to keep the economy going. In ancient Bharat’s teachings the system focused on the moral, physical, spiritual and intellectual aspects of life. It emphasized the values of humility, truthfulness, discipline, self-reliance and respect for all creations, and it provided exposure to various career options and opportunities. As the community flourished so did the economy.
6.Joint Family System; Bharat had joint family system, members of a family pooled their resources to maintain the family and invest in business ventures. The system ensured younger members were trained and employed and provided support to the older and disabled members. It prevented agricultural land from splitting with each generation, aiding yield.
7.Role of Temples: Temples in Bharat reflect the country’s rich religious and spiritual heritage. In ancient times the temples generated wealth from farms and was circulated among weavers, garland makers, dancers, and musicians, etc. Lots of business flourished around the temples. Some of the temples worked as banks. The large endowments of various donors made the temples the richest institution.
8.Religious Tourism: shows Vibrant Indian festivals & religious events are not just a display of our cultural richness and diversity but a formidable engine driving the Bharat’s economy. These festivals create lots of employment for the travel industry, hotels, food vendors, artisans, laborers, and various businesses.
During ancient timesPilgrimage towns developed into centers of trade and commerce. Religious practice of pilgrimages is an early version of the hospitality industry. With the recent upgrading of famous religious sites and improvement of infra structures, has created an opportunity for many new business and employment. This will contribute to the economy in a big way. International religious tourism is booming as well. It’s the growing power of faith and cultural heritage which is changing the economic landscape of Bharat.
British Role in destroying both the “Educational System and Bharat Economy”
In recent years, textbooks have created a false picture that Indians had been illiterate before the arrival of the British. Dharampal authored book “The Beautiful Tree,” he used British documents from the early 1800s, and showed that pre-British India education (50%) was universal, indeed more so than what Europe (20%) had in that period. When the British arrived, there was one school for about 500 pupils.
Indicating that the literal rate was 50 percent. At the end of the British Rule the rate had declined to about 12 percent. Their policies lead to the destruction of indigenous education in the country. For the British, education was just a means for creating an intermediate class of English-educated Indians that would assist them in the governance of the rest of the population (Brown skin Babus-who look Indian but behave like “Englishman). Fees were raised to a degree that many families could not afford higher education. Primary education for the masses, and higher education for the higher classes were discouraged for political reasons.
British caused irreparable losses to Bharat in number of sectors not only plundered with Bharat’s wealth but ruined its industry, agriculture and education system and simultaneously destroyed the beautiful social fabric of Bharat. “Ram Rajiya is the dream”
-By Suresh Khanna
