Vishwanath Rises and Rises: The Story of Eternal Kashi

by Meenakshi Jain

Kashi, the City of Light, was the embodiment of Indian civilization for millennia. Archaeological mounds at Rajghat Plateau, on the northern outskirts of the city, represented the ancient settlement of Kashi. Its three major settlements, Varanasi, Sarnath, and Aktha, all had “a religious nature.” The first reference to Kashi was in the Paippalada recension of the Atharva Veda (V. 22. 14). The grammarian Panini mentioned Varanasi as the capital of Kashi janapada, and its citizens as varanaseya.

Varanasi was first attacked in 1013 CE, by the Ghaznavid forces, under Ahmed Nialtagin. The cumulative effect of the subsequent centuries of assault was the complete obliteration of Banaras of the Puranic mahatmyas. The Krittivasa, Omkara, Mahadeva, Madhyameshvara, Visveshvara, Bindu Madhava, Kaal Bhairava, and countless other temples were all razed. In many cases, mosques were built with “calculated insolence” in their place, and the sites were forever closed to Hindus. But despite the difficult centuries, the construction of temples in Kashi did not cease, no matter how modest the structure might be.

The great Vishvanath temple was destroyed no less than three times during those centuries. It was said that in 1194 CE, when first attacked by Aibak, and on each subsequent occasion, Brahmins hid the jyotirlinga in the Jnanavapi, the well of knowledge. Queen Razia, during her short turbulent reign, appropriated the site of the temple and had a mosque constructed there. The temple was subsequently rebuilt at another location, where too it was ravaged.

Despite the repeated onslaughts, Banaras retained its standing as a centre of Hindu religious and intellectual activity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Hinduism

332 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Meenakshi Jain is an associate professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi. She was Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Teen Murti. Her recent works include Parallel Pathways. Essays on Hindu-Muslim Relations (1707-1857). She is the co-author of The Rajah Moonje Pact. Documents on a Forgotten Chapter of Indian History.

Reviews

[Ajumma · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth archaeological evidences to support the antiquity and rightful legal claims of Hindus to the centre of all spirituality as it is i.e., Kashi Vishwanatha’s abode.. Many things like Kashi Panchakoshi Parikrama are elaborated upon and all sacrifices of Brahmins duly given evidentiary value as they deserve in their attempt to keep the place sacred and fountainhead of Hindu identity… Altogether, wonderfully put together, as always it is with Meenakshi Jain, based on facts and evidence as opposed to the likes of Romilas who more often than not embark pure conjecture and whataboutery.

[Abantika Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

not a story book. facts and figures complete history. well written

[Eternalrocket · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, written by veteran historian Meenakshi Jain, traces the history of Kashi from the earliest period to the modern times, drawing from sources as old as Vedas and Puranas (giving insights on myth behind the holy city) and as latest as the recent court cases on the Gyanvapi mosque. Apart from these, the author relies on various other sources, including foreign traveler accounts, archaeological evidence, and other historical evidence to put forth the story of Kashi, and especially the Vishwanath Temple which is central to the city's identity.

The book is chock-full of information and gives insights on the importance of the city, the hardships that people had to endure through the ages due to constant invasions and the undying spirit that has kept the city alive and remains central for people of Indic faiths. It is meticulously researched and is likely one of the most important works for anyone looking to understand the city's troubled history.

Having said all this, I have one criticism for the book, which has been constant for all of Meenakshi Jain's book that I have read so far, that is - the books are not the most reader-friendly. In my opinion, the books lack coherence, which makes it very easy for the reader to miss the larger message/point that the author is trying to convey. For instance, it is very difficult to keep track of the multiple instances of destruction and rebuilding of the Vishwanath temple and related lingas. Although the table of contents follow a chronology, the content inside each chapter seems all over the place. Some of the excess information could have been done away with and greater focus could have been provided on storyboarding the history which would have made it absolutely perfect 10/10 book.