There is a rare exhibition of letters and documents on display in Chandigarh, since Sunday. A collection of original letters, manuscripts and books belonging to the pre-independence era of India's freedom struggle.
On display is the death warrant of freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh, a letter written by the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab prohibiting Mahatma Gandhi from entering Punjab, a confidential letter about breaking the Salt Law at Bhiwani and lots more.
Now you might question the relevance of displaying documents that don't matter anymore. After all, Wikileaks is definitely more exciting than history! But just the idea of being able to see original records and tangibles used at a time you weren't even born in, is fascinating to me. It's like using a time machine.
The period of the freedom movement is an era gone by, but an era that is dearly cherished by the older generation (especially my grandma) and an era that holds a certain fascination for my generation. It's sometimes difficult to understand the passion with which septuagenarians speak of India and its freedom struggle. And that's mainly because we are quite detached and distant from the incidents that happened at the time.
Now, I don't have a time machine and I don't see another H.G. Wells in the making, so perhaps this is the best way to experience it. A great opportunity for history enthusiasts, or for others just fascinated, like I :)
On display is the death warrant of freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh, a letter written by the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab prohibiting Mahatma Gandhi from entering Punjab, a confidential letter about breaking the Salt Law at Bhiwani and lots more.
Now you might question the relevance of displaying documents that don't matter anymore. After all, Wikileaks is definitely more exciting than history! But just the idea of being able to see original records and tangibles used at a time you weren't even born in, is fascinating to me. It's like using a time machine.
The period of the freedom movement is an era gone by, but an era that is dearly cherished by the older generation (especially my grandma) and an era that holds a certain fascination for my generation. It's sometimes difficult to understand the passion with which septuagenarians speak of India and its freedom struggle. And that's mainly because we are quite detached and distant from the incidents that happened at the time.
Now, I don't have a time machine and I don't see another H.G. Wells in the making, so perhaps this is the best way to experience it. A great opportunity for history enthusiasts, or for others just fascinated, like I :)
