Amit Shah: Decolonizing History Means Telling India's Full Story

Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a powerful message on Sunday: decolonization isn’t about wiping the slate clean—it’s about writing India’s history in its own voice. Speaking at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Shah emphasized that authentic storytelling, rooted in Indian perspective, is key to reclaiming the nation’s narrative.

Redefining Decolonization

Shah pushed back against the notion that decolonization means erasing history. Instead, he framed it as a mission to present “historical truth to the world in an authentic manner from an Indian perspective.” For too long, he argued, Indian knowledge has been filtered through a colonial lens, breeding insecurity and distorting cultural pride.

“Decolonisation does not mean erasing history. From our perspective, it means presenting historical truth to the world in an authentic manner and from an Indian perspective.”

He pointed to the burning of Nalanda’s library as a stark example—a physical destruction that failed to erase knowledge living in memory and oral traditions. That resilience, Shah noted, is India’s strength.

Preserving the Past, Empowering the Future

Shah called for urgent action to digitize, share, and research India’s vast manuscript collections. He urged the Asiatic Society, now led by BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, to expand access to its treasures—from illustrated Mahabharata copies to Jain and Buddhist texts.

His vision? A nationwide network linking libraries and institutions, making knowledge accessible to every student and researcher. He even suggested reaching into villages to uncover ancestral documents hidden in homes.

A New Chapter for Indian Knowledge

The Home Minister struck a hopeful tone, expressing confidence that institutions like the Asiatic Society would help redirect India’s knowledge traditions toward global welfare—not colonial control. He framed the effort as part of a broader campaign to strengthen national identity and confidence.

“A nation that protects its memory, history, traditions, culture, archives, languages and grammar cannot be enslaved,” Shah said. “India is an example of this.”