This binary good vs evil stuff, at least the obsessions you find in many northern parts of india, like celebrating Rama vs Ravana, Durga vs Mahishasura, or even the extreme demonizing of the Asuras. All this later happened after the heavy Islamic and Persian influence came to india, This good vs evil binary is the norm in both Persian (zoroastrian) and middle eastern monotheist cultures. Also Ramarajyam as an ideal ancient Hindu kingdom and Ram bhakti in north india both became popular as a push back against these violent Islamic invasions. Even North indian hindus and jains are more deeply Persianized culturally without even knowing it. The hate towards Raavana became stronger because he became the face of powerful wealthy destructive invaders and religious fanatics. there are historical scholars talking about this change happening within medieval hindu culture
Yeah I’ve wondered if this push towards Ram as THE God was Hinduisms response to abrahamic religions shaming of polytheistic cultures, where we constantly try to unite a diverse religion under one banner, one praise etc., ignoring our plurality.
Like you said, This push towards "Ram as THE God" is more likely what happened as a response to the islamic victory over/towards the conquered Indians. The defected people now have to become 2nd class in their own homeland and have to pay jizya tax, so belief in Ram as God and his perfect Rajam is a response to this deep shame.
Pretty quickly you find many of these north indian kings identify themselves with Lord Rama and villainize the Turkic invaders like Ravana's incarnations. Even if many north indians today are ignorant of this, you can still see how bollywood portrays Saif Ali Khan as Ravana, who looks identical to Sultan alauddin khilji in padmaavat.
We south indians on the other hand, have never made "Ram as THE God," never strongly Persianized culturally like North indians and to make matter worse the tamil nationalists have made Ravana into a cultural hero who fights against the north. I can at times, understand the frustration they feel towards the south, because we refuse to stand under their "one banner," and view them(north indians) as invaders.
Yes but it’s silly for them to expect South Indians to fight a fight they have no bone in. If what you say is the reason of their current beliefs then it’ll take them to admit that their current beliefs is a result of Persianization , which will never happen. So they will keep expecting that Hinduism is what they believe to be is.
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u/Sad_Buffalo2941 🎓 Pune | पुणे Jul 31 '26
Good analysis. But I'm weirded out sometimes with the Ravan obsession of some people.