Sita Ram Goel’s Hindu Society Under Siege is a compelling exploration of the historical and ideological challenges faced by Hindu society. The book delves into how foreign invasions—both Muslim and British—have left enduring psychological and intellectual residues that continue to obstruct the revitalization of Hindu culture and values. The work highlights Goel’s keen historical insight and his fervent plea for the resurgence of a self-aware Hindu society, free from the lingering shadows of colonialism and ideological subjugation.

The Crux of the Book

The essence of the book is captured in a powerful observation:

“The Muslim and British invasions of India, though defeated and dispersed, have yet managed to crystallise certain residues – psychological and intellectual – which a battered Hindu society is finding it very difficult to digest. These residues are now in active alliance with powerful international forces, and are being aided and abetted on a scale which an impoverished Hindu society cannot match.”

Goel’s central argument is that while political freedom was achieved on August 15, 1947, Hindu society’s cultural and spiritual renewal remains incomplete. The remnants of colonial ideologies and a lack of self-awareness among Hindus continue to suppress the reemergence of their historical brilliance.

Call to Action

Goel’s background as a historian, political activist, and advocate of Hindu nationalism informs his incisive critique of historical narratives that undermine Hindu society. He emphasizes that Hindu culture, despite its unbroken continuity through millennia, faces existential threats if current trends persist. Comparing this situation to a wealthy heir who squanders his inheritance, Goel warns that the survival of Hindu society cannot be taken for granted.

Misrepresentation of Hindu History

Goel systematically dismantles the distortions propagated by Western historians and their Indian followers. He critiques several myths, including:

• The Origin Myth: Western historians falsely claim Hindu history began with Alexander’s invasion, disregarding evidence of a far older civilization.
• The Aryan Invasion Theory (AIT): A conjecture lacking archaeological or literary evidence, AIT was designed to create divisions within Indian society.
• The Oppressed Majority: Marxist historians argue that Hindu society welcomed foreign invaders as liberators from oppressive Hindu kings, a notion Goel refutes as baseless propaganda.

These narratives, he argues, aim to malign Hindu history and weaken its societal fabric. He highlights how even responsible Western historians acknowledge the antiquity of Hindu history and reject the Aryan invasion theory. Moreover, Goel praises Hindu society’s decentralized structure made of organic units such as the clan (kula), caste (jãti), village (grãma), town (nigam), metropolis (nagar), country (janapada) and empire (sãmrãjya), which enabled organic growth and resilience, unlike centralized empires such as Rome or Persia.

Foreign Invasions and Their Aftermath

Goel’s recounting of India’s encounters with foreign powers illustrates the resilience of Hindu society. Early invaders like Queen Semiramis of Babylonia and Cyrus the Great of Iran were defeated at India’s borders. Even Alexander the Great retreated hastily from the river Beas, while his successor, Seleucus Nicator, ceded territory and sought a matrimonial alliance with India.

This triumphal course of Hindu history suffered a severe setback only with the advent of Muslim invaders in the 7th century AD. Although Muslim rule lasted for seven centuries, its cultural and religious impact was limited. The number of converts won during its long spell of seven centuries, considering its political power and intentions, was rather small.
The British, however, wielded a subtler weapon: diplomacy combined with military superiority. Their rule left behind enduring residues of colonial ideology, which Goel identifies as key obstacles to Hindu society’s renewal.

The Residues of Colonialism

Goel identifies four major residues that continue to influence India:

1. Islamism

In the chapter The Residue of Islamism, Goel distinguishes between India’s Muslim community and a microscopic minority that glorifies its foreign descent. He outlines a strategic agenda employed by this group:

• Sealing the Muslim intelligentsia from rationalism, humanism, and liberalism.
• Amplifying grievances to portray Muslims as a downtrodden minority oppressed by the Hindu majority.
• Diverting attention from internal socio-economic issues by focusing on international Islamic causes.

2. Christianism

Goel’s analysis of Christian missionary activity highlights its insidious impact on Hindu society. He outlines the objectives of Christian missions, particularly in tribal areas:

• Undermining Hindu culture by emphasizing the lack of a historical savior figure comparable to Jesus.
• Promoting narratives like the supposed martyrdom of St. Thomas to legitimize conversion efforts.
• Establishing educational institutions that alienate Hindu youth from their cultural roots.
• Financing political campaigns to create separate states in regions with Christian dominance.

3. Macaulayism

Named after Thomas Babington Macaulay, Macaulayism refers to the colonial-era policy of creating an elite class of Indians who were “Indian in blood and color, but English in taste.” This residue manifests in:

• Skepticism towards Hindu spirituality and culture, often masked as intellectual superiority.
• Blind admiration for Western culture, equated with progress and modernity.

Examples of this mindset can be seen in popular films that mock Hindu traditions or in the adoption of Western corporate attire despite climatic unsuitability.

4. Communism

Goel views Communism as an ideological extension of Macaulayism. He critiques its role in undermining Hindu society, particularly in areas previously influenced by colonial education. Communism’s alignment with Islamism and its support for divisive agendas, such as opposing Hindi as the national language, further weaken Hindu unity.

The United Front of Ideologies

In the concluding chapter, Goel warns of a “United Front” formed by Islamism, Christianism, and Communism. Despite their ideological differences, these forces target Hindu society in distinct ways:

• Christianism: Focuses on converting tribal communities.
• Islamism: Seeks to influence the Dalits.
• Communism: Appeals to the upper and middle classes.

This unholy alliance, Goel argues, poses an existential threat to Hindu society.

Call for Hindu Unity

Goel’s ultimate message is one of hope and renewal. He asserts that India’s secularism and democracy are rooted in its Hindu ethos. To safeguard these values, Hindus must unite and rediscover their cultural and spiritual heritage. He calls for a collective effort to resist divisive ideologies and reclaim the glory of Sanatana Dharma for the benefit of humanity.

Hindu Society Under Siege is a profound and thought-provoking analysis of the challenges faced by Hindu society. Sita Ram Goel’s incisive critique of historical distortions and ideological residues is both enlightening and urgent. The book serves as a wake-up call for Hindus to recognize and overcome the forces that threaten their cultural and spiritual identity. It is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of India’s past and its implications for the future.