Title: मितरों, दूसरी तरफ़ से भी सोचो – Peaceful Civilizations Write Books, Survivors Write History
“Mitron, dusari taraf se bhi socho…”
In classrooms and conferences, we speak of peace, empathy, and coexistence.
We quote Gandhi, read Osho, and dream of a world without war.
But what happens when survival itself is at stake?
When crisis strikes, do philosophies still hold power — or does power shape philosophy?
Let’s revisit the case of Columbus and the “discovery” of America.
Columbus Didn’t Set Out to Conquer
Columbus’s original mission was exploration, not occupation.
He wasn’t leading a battalion — he was leading a voyage.
He arrived with ships and dreams — not tanks and manifestos.
But the reality he encountered was not peaceful:
- Tribal resistance,
- Mutual fear,
- Conflicts over land and trust.
What began as discovery quickly became defense, then domination.
War replaced dialogue.
Could it have been different? Possibly.
But only if both sides shared the same stability, the same vision — and the same luxury of peace.
Moral Ideas Work Best in Peaceful Times
Yes, there are better ways to engage than conquest:
- Through cultural dialogue,
- Trade and diplomacy,
- Spiritual exchange and soft power.
Civilizations like ancient India did this in Southeast Asia without lifting a sword.
They wrote scriptures, not war manuals.
But let’s be honest: these methods work only when both parties are secure, unthreatened, and open to mutuality.
In moments of crisis — when identity, land, or survival is at risk — stories of peace don’t persuade.
In Times of War, Power Becomes the Philosophy
Would it be wise today to dismantle defense forces when others carry WMDs?
When an army crosses your border, do you offer them poetry — or resistance?
Even the most advanced civilization, if caught without defense, will fall before the less moral but more prepared adversary.
Philosophy is important — but it cannot be the first line of defense.
In such moments, might doesn’t just protect progress — it defines it.
The Indigenous Story: Not Annihilated, But Transformed
Let’s not forget:
While Columbus’s arrival changed the fate of Native Americans forever, it did not completely destroy them.
- Many indigenous cultures still exist,
- Many have assimilated,
- Many are now reclaiming identity through art, language, law, and voice.
Their survival is a testament to resilience — not surrender.
They adapted, even as they grieved.
They preserved, even as they were displaced.
So while history wounded, it did not erase.
Conclusion: In War, Survive First – Moralize Later
Yes, in ideal worlds, we would conquer without violence.
Yes, in spiritual eras, we would uplift without imposing.
But in times of crisis, defense is not aggression — it is dharma.
Let us not confuse moral passivity with moral clarity.
Because the truth is:
Peace writes philosophy. But war decides who gets to publish it.
So let’s protect our ideals, yes.
But let us first protect the soil on which they stand.
If you felt torn, inspired, or awakened reading this — share it.
History will not wait. But maybe, we can write the next chapter better.
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