From lectures we were told of the importance language plays in the resistance and building of Empires. But from that we were able to realize that history plays a big role in the resistance of strengthening of an empire, both lectures Chaturvedi and O’Toole were able to shed light on the importance history has on empire. Yet both lectures had a different outlook on the responsibilities that history writers have to the world. HIstory writing is not only a way to release your burdens the way Nehru saw it but a way to fulfil the patriotic historians call that is vital is when resisting Empire.

Professor O’Toole had a different look on history then that of Chaturvedi’s, instead of seeing the importance of personal accounts, she saw the importance through history through primary sources, such as Del La Vega or the Martin Chambi photos. For O’Toole is wasn’t about the inner disputes and inner challenges that the individual felt towards Empire that both Gandhi and Savarkar felt. But the collective groups that we’re able to get there resistance told and documented as a primary source.

From Chaturvedi’s lectures he described history as something essential to understanding what it is going on in the future and being able to experience and then tell that history is vital in order of understanding the resistance. Chaturvedi discusses political historian and revolutionist Savarkar, who believed in the “Patriotic Historian”, and how it is the duty of the people to not be a slave to history. From this view of an active history Chaturvedi and Savarkar I believe are trying to make  the people feel motivated and the sense of urgency to act for their own futures. When Savarkar says “master and not slave to history”, he was calling for his Indian nation to not sit idle to the British Empire and take back their India.

In the Nehru text history is seen as a way to relieve ones burdens, and shows these problems that you’ve been facing to the world so they can understand too. Nehru states, “By writing about the past I have tried to rid myself of the burden of the past”, by this Nehru sees the relief that comes from writing your past. Writing about the past also allows you to recognize what’s going on in your life and helps make a clear picture to what that is, so when realising your self of the burdens of the past you’re allowing yourself to get a clear sense of what is happening in the future.

History from all perspectives is yet another form of resistance to Empire. From both of the understanding of Nehru and Savarkar history is a way to get people to know your side the past and how it’s affected you and why acting on this information alone is important. Chaturvedi’s and O’Tooles notion of history may be different but they both present and active history that must be saved and discussed for the future generations.

In my last blog I discussed the ways in which Indigenous people of the Andes and Inca empire were able to successfully transform themselves into colonial elites and profited from colonization and a new empire. In this blog I want to focus on how resistance to empires have evolved from what they used to be, using the indigenous people of Peru as may comparison. Progressing to modern day resistance, seen through the Standing Rock resistance happening in North Dakota or even political resistance shown towards Donald Trump by U.S. citizens out protesting, and how resistance has now become a norm and easily distributed worldwide through media and the development of technology.

In Peru during the 1780s a rebellion lead by Tupac Amaru against the Spanish was out in full force. This rebellion is important to note due to the fact that though this rebellion was against the Spanish empire, Tupac Amaru did not want to leave the empire but fix the colonial corruption that was occurring at the time, fighting for more and better Native representation in decision making that affect their lives. We see this almost constantly  today in the U.S., minority groups wanting better representation and going out and protesting.

Protesters block K street to try to disrupt the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC..Photo by Olivier Douliery/Abaca(Sipa via AP Images)

The Women’s March on Washington would be an example of minority groups going out in the world and showing resistance to the government. The Women’s March occurred as backlash to the inauguration of new president Trump and in order to send a message to the new administration the women’s right are as vital as human rights This was even mentioned on the campaign trail by Hillary Clinton stating, “Reproductive rights are human rights”, which was something then nominee Trump strongly disagreed with. President Trump on his campaign trail spoke of defunding Planned Parenthood which to most women was seen as an act against women and their right to care for their bodies as they want/need.

The Women’s March on Washington resembles that of the Tupac Amaru Rebellion because in both instances minority groups are standing up to their governments and demanding that their groups be recognized and treated equally and fairly. The need for resistance since those of the 1780s have only grown bigger and have become well known and world renowned. Unlike the days of Tupac Amaru and those innovative Incan systems that made them such a powerful empire, the modern day person now has access to so much more technology then ever before making something like the Women’s March in Washington able to be watched and engaged in all the way from Peru!

Technological advances that we have in 2017 have helped allow resistance movements such as the Women’s March become more of a world collaboration of different countries and people. This global involvement is something that the Inca unfortunately were not able to use in their resistance. But for modern day it has increased participation and the means of which people can participate, through twitter facebook, and any other social media outlet, we are now able to post and share our messages such as the Women’s March and get the whole world involved.

Resistance has not disappeared but have become something so usual and regular in places across the world including the U.S.. Looking at resistances from the past and the present helps us understand that fighting for what is right is never going to end especially in these cases of minority people being discriminated and mistreated. Resistance has grown and will continue to grow as technological advances help issues become more publicized and problems within governments keep occurring, the people will rise up to the call of resistance.