‘Timur was a rapist, while Aurangzeb was a terrible person’ : Pakistani writer Salman Rashid

Rashid educates Muslims using strong language
Rashid also criticized Pakistanis who consider Mughals, Khilji, Timur, Muhammad of Ghazni etc.their role models

Salman Rashid (Courtesy: Navbharat Times)

Islamabad – A controversy has erupted in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, over the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. After the atrocities of Aurangzeb were depicted in the Hindi film ‘Chhava’, there is a demand to remove his grave situated in Maharashtra. There has also been a reaction in Pakistan on this ongoing discussion in India. Writer Salman Rashid has commented on this issue. While talking to journalist Arzoo Kazmi, Salman Rashid said, “Mughals, Khilji, Timur, Muhammad of Ghazni were not originally from India. These people migrated from Afghanistan, Iran and other Arab countries. These people targeted India’s wealth. They had no other intention than to loot India.” He also criticized the Pakistani people who considered these invaders as their role models. Salman Rashid said, “Our heroes should be people from our own land.” Talking about Timur, Salman Rashid said, “He was a rapist. He killed many people. Timur’s son also used to torture women. They were very cruel people.”

Other points presented by Salman Rashid:

1. There is no exact information available about how many temples were demolished by the Mughals. It is claimed that the Taj Mahal was also a temple. Things like imposing the Jizya tax happened during the time of Aurangzeb.

2. What the dictatorial President Zia ul Haq did in Pakistan in the 80s, Aurangzeb did at that time. The work done by Aurangzeb to divide the society was awful. There is nothing praiseworthy about Aurangzeb.

3. Muslims should not consider Aurangzeb as their hero. We have forgotten the people who fought for the land of Punjab and Sindh.