Footprints of Shri Ram: Ayodhya and Beyond

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

This book offers a compelling and well-documented exploration of history, faith, and civilizational continuity rooted in the legacy of Shri Ram and the cultural foundations of Bharat. It traces the rise of the Dogra dynasty beginning with Maharaja Gulab Singh-described as a descendant of Shri Ram. By 1947, this state had emerged as the largest princely state in the Indian subcontinent. The narrative also records how Maharaja Hari Singh acceded this strategically vital state to the Dominion of Bharat, a decision of immense historical and geopolitical significance. Drawing upon historical sources such as the Imperial Gazetteer and Census records, the book highlights the vast territorial extent of the state and the wider influence of the Dogra rulers. It also documents their contribution to preserving Bharatiya culture through the construction of mandirs, sacred institutions, and the promotion of Sanatan traditions across the region. The work further presents a researched account of sacred sites, Ram Mandirs, and other places of worship across Jammu and Kashmir, including the challenges they faced during periods of political upheaval, militancy, and the displacement of the Kashmiri Hindu community. A major section of the book examines the geographical and historical trails of the Ramayan across India and Sri Lanka. Supported by archaeology, geography, and archeo-astronomy, it discusses sacred locations connected with Shri Ram, Sita, and Hanuman, including Ram Setu and other significant sites. Through historical evidence, photographs, and analytical discussion, the book presents a powerful narrative that highlights the enduring spiritual and civilizational legacy of Sanatan Dharm.

Bharatvarsh's foundations of borders stood established from antiquity ranging from Arkan mountains (Southern Indo Burma range) to Khorasan (largest province of present Iran) and from Kailash Mansarovar to Colombo (Sri Lanka). These boundaries still hinge on the fulcrum of Bhartiya Cultural values. Since ages, Bharat has a unique view of life that shaped the personality of Bharat and consequently the people of Bharat possess some distinctive qualities. While addressing the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893, Swami Vivekananda said, "I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance but we accept all religions to be true. I am proud to tell you that I belong to a religion in whose sacred language 'the Sanskrit', the word 'exclusion' is untranslatable". After reading the above stated inspirational quote from the speech of Swami Vivekananda ji, the author of this book was electrified from the core of his heart, mind and intellect to deeply realise that Bharat has a worldview to the effect that all is inclusive and nothing is exclusive. This intrigues everybody to understand that there is something unique in Bharat or Hindutva culture. Sister Nivedita, (Margaret Noble, an Irish by birth), the famous disciple of Swami Vivekananda has written insightful books on Bhartiya ethos and values and about how Bharar thinks and behaves differently, uniquely. In her book "Religion and Dharm" she emphatically states that: "In spite of its is infinitely less dependent on mythological ideas than any seemingly vast mythology, the actual content of Hinduism other religion whatsoever. He who is driven to abandon the historicity of Western beliefs has but sorry ground henceforth to stand upon. Not so the Hindus. There is no shade of the search after truth that is not looked upon here as religious heroism. We are in no danger of persecuting a man for no better reason than that he can see farther and deeper than we! Giordano Bruno would never have been burnt, Galileo would never have been put to torture if India (Bharat) had been their home and birthplace. The Sanatan Dharm sanctions and endorses every form of honest striving after knowledge. It is jealous and suspicious of no form of truth. Perhaps in this lies the true crown of Hinduism" (Reference book titled, The Crown of Hinduism). Bharat believes in pursuing a continuous search for Truth and the Truth can have various interpretations. For example, take the case of Ramayan and Bhagavad Gita which are most favoured scriptures in practice. There have been innumerable interpretations of the same texts of Ramayan and Bhagavad Gita respectively and many more may come. Bharat has a history and tradition to welcome, accept and give some space to new thoughts and religions for them to flourish and enrich them by adding Bhartiya content. One of the shining example is that of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (commonly referred to as Buddha). He was born in Bharat and founded Buddhism, the religion which rapidly travelled across the borders of many countries where Shri Ram's culture had already travelled and accepted by the people in an intrinsic way of valuable living way of life. The author has made an honest effort to spill Shri Ram's culture in those adoptive independent countries in this book. This perennial philosophy of spiritual traditions described by the enlightened souls is precisely the Bhartiya or the Hindu view of life. Bharat has this knowledge, history, tradition and legacy and hence it is our responsibility to show the world by example how a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic human society can live in prosperity, peace and harmony together with limited resources on our planet i.e. Mother Earth. Dharm and religion do not mean the same. The Supreme Court of India has viewed in its various judgments that Hinduism is a way of life rather than a religion, encompassing cultural and ethical values and exclusion of territorial significance. The court has also asserted that there is no bigotry inherent in Hinduism. The Indian Constitution in the very beginning defines Hindus in Article 25 and Explanation II given under the said Article reads: "In Sub-clause (b) of clause (2)", the reference to "Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly". In this way, the definition is very wide and this excludes the theory of exclusion in whatsoever manner. Be that as it may, Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur, has also emphasised the importance of becoming "What We Are". He has further elucidated that just lying low we cannot protect ourselves. "The only way of self-protection is by evoking and directing our innate strength in every possible way. This is the rule of divine.

JUSTICE (Retd.) G.D. SHARMA (1&K High Court) PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY A legst career spanning over six decades, with 45+ years at a Judge in the judiciary of J&x, culminating as a judge of the J&K High Court, Instrumental in tackling cases related to national security, radical extremism, and terrorism. Dedicated to preserving and spreading Indian culture, combating islamist insurgency, and advocating for the underprivileged by lastly remaining Chairperson of J&K Socially Educationally and Economically Backward Classes Commission till December 2024. One of the trustees of Sanskrit Bharti for the promotion and propagation of the Sanskrit language within the Country and abroad PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2026-1961 Member, Governing Council, National Foundation for Communal Harmony (2017-2026) Chairperson, J&K Socially, Educationally and Economically Backward Classes Commission (2020-2024) Led the Commission to expand the identification of Socially, Educationally and Economically Backward Classes, benefiting over 60 lakh people. Key inclusions: Pahari ethnic groups, Padri Clan, Gorkans (Grave Diggers), Koll, Gadda Brahmins, Hindhu Kirths/Changs, Hindu Acharyas (who perform last rites), Gorkhas, Valmikis, and West Pakistani refugees of 1947. included Social Castes group of Muslims into Other Backward Classes category. Contribution towards 10% quota reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) after Constitutional Amendment of 103. All the recommendations inclusive twenty-one newly added categories were unanimously approved by the Parliament. President, J&K State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (2006-2011) Chairman, FEMA Appellate Authority, Government of India (2001-2002) Judge, J&K High Court (1995-2001) Served without any intermittent break, as the sole Hindu Judge of the High Court in the Kashmir Valley during the period 1996-1999. The years marked the height of militancy insurgency. During this time, the Kashmir Bar Association assumed a prominent role in secessionist agitation, and a large number of Habeas Corpus petitions of sensitive nature, came to be filed collectively in the name of Bar itself. Even sensitive criminal cases of alleged murders were filed on its name. At one time Have earned the wrath of terrorists and ISI. They have many a times issued my death warrants and even to family members. The relevant record is with the Police and Central agencies. Established a residential accommodation which is a step in aid by donating a part of own ancestral house situated in close proximity to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra. This is the first historic achievement when Sanskrit Bharti Trust is holding Immovable property in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with proprietary rights.

EDUCATION LL. B: Lalu Bhai Law College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (1961) B.A: J&K University, Jammu (1959) Matriculation: Government High School Katra, Vaishno Devi, J&K (1955) DATE OF BIRTH 18th of March 1939