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The two streams of the Bengali language: Claims, Counterclaims and Facts
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March 27, 2026March 27, 2026COMMENTARY

The two streams of the Bengali language: Claims, Counterclaims and Facts

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Published in the ISPAD Partition Center Journal (Oct 2025), this paper challenges claims that vernacular languages in India emerged only under Islamic rule due to a supposed Sanskritic monopoly. It shows that regional literary traditions flourished under Hindu patronage well before this period. The paper also disputes the idea that modern Bengali was artificially Sanskritized by colonial institutions, demonstrating that both Hindu and Muslim writers historically used a shared Sanskrit-based linguistic framework. It further highlights that later attempts to Islamize Bengali had limited success.

‘The Battle for Sanskrit’ by Rajiv Malhotra – A Review
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April 15, 2025April 15, 2025BOOK REVIEW

‘The Battle for Sanskrit’ by Rajiv Malhotra – A Review

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First published in 2016, Rajiv Malhotra's 'The Battle for Sanskrit' is as relevant today as it was then. In the book, the author challenges dominant Western narratives that seek to desacralize Sanskrit by stripping it of its religious and cultural significance. Written in an easy-to-read style with scholarly insights, the book urges both traditional and modern readers to engage in an honest dialogue. The book is an important one that defends heritage and also seeks to de-westernise Indology.

Sanskritam
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March 7, 2023March 7, 2023PERSPECTIVE, LANGUAGE, OPINION

Mistranslation of Sanskrit Words: Misunderstanding and Absurdity

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Western scholars and Indologists fail to grasp the essence of Hindu philosophy and history because despite their best attempts, words in Sanskrit are often non-translatable and meanings depend heavily upon context. Given their narrow-minded approach, while also accounting for personal biases, even the nearest translation in another language subverts the essence of the original text.