Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that India is the Mother of Democracy. Speaking at an event in Lucknow, the CM presented the ancient city of Vaishali as historical evidence of the world's first republic, directly challenging Western narratives that often overlook India's democratic legacy.
Countering Western Propaganda with Historical Evidence
Adityanath inaugurated the book 'Early North India and Its Coins', published by the Hinduja Foundation, at his official residence. He used the occasion to launch a sharp critique against Western attempts to distort history and deny India its rightful place. "India has always provided evidence connecting Sanatan culture and history," he stated. The CM described the book as a crucial document that presents India's democratic consciousness, historical unity, and millennia-old cultural heritage with factual proof, calling it a direct response to Western propaganda.
"If anyone wants to know about democracy, they must learn from India," Adityanath declared. He questioned which caste, faith, or community in the world India had not helped or sheltered, adding that being born in India is a matter of great fortune. He accused Western scholars of long propagating the idea that India was never a single unit, labeling the partition of 1947 as a British conspiracy. "Bharatvarsh historically included today's Pakistan and Bangladesh. Those who forget this thousands of years old heritage are the ones who question India's integrity," he emphasized.
Coins, Economy, and the Golden Age
Delving into the subject of the newly launched book, the Chief Minister highlighted how coins discovered from regions like Ayodhya, Mathura, Kaushambi, Varanasi, and Panchal authenticate the historical, geographical, and commercial realities of ancient India. He pointed out that India was the first nation to establish a scientific system of measurement and weighing, with units like masha and tola still in use today.
Adityanath described the Maurya period as India's golden age, when its share of the world economy stood at an impressive 46%. He noted that this share remained at 24% until the 15th century but plummeted to a mere 1.5-2% at the time of independence after centuries of foreign rule. "Now, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become the world's fourth largest economy," he proudly stated.
Vision 2047 and Sanatan Heritage
The CM connected the historical discourse to the present government's vision. He said PM Modi's Vision-2047 connects every citizen with the Panch Pran (five pledges) and 11 resolutions. "The first resolution is to feel pride in our heritage. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, the revival of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and the preservation of Sanatan heritage are the embodiments of this vision," Adityanath explained.
Providing further numismatic evidence, the book's author, Professor Devendra Handa, revealed that a coin preserved in the British Museum bears the inscription 'Savitri Putra Janapadas'. He argued this proves the story of Savitri-Satyavan is rooted in real events of Sanatan history, not mere mythology. He also mentioned coins from the Madra Raj and descendants of Porus, which challenge prevailing historical notions. Dr. S. K. Chadda, President of Corporate Affairs for the Hinduja Group, was also present at the event.
