Context-

The ongoing controversy over the 'Dravidian' identity in Tamil Nadu, is fueled by the assertive BJP Hindu nationalism and the DMK's linguistic/regional politics.

Experts look into the deep-seated connection between missionary endeavors in Bharat and the creation of 'caste' and 'Dravidian' identities. This exploration unveils the historical underpinnings that laid the groundwork for the formation of ethnocentric categories during the colonial era.

Early Missionary Influence on 'Caste':

●       The roots of 'caste' as a modern construct in Bharat can be traced back to the sixteenth century when the Portuguese official Duarte Barbosa first used the term "casta" about Bharat’s social order. The Portuguese, being among the first European colonizers in Bharat, set the stage for subsequent developments. However, it was the Tranquebar Mission, founded in 1706 by the German Lutheran missionary Bartholomeus Ziegenbalg, that played a pivotal role in shaping early missionary perspectives on caste.

●       Tranquebar Mission:

Ziegenbalg's mission, established under the directive of King Frederick IV of Denmark, marked a crucial milestone. The Danish Protestant Mission, led by German Lutherans, introduced key elements of missionary strategy, including Bible translation into Indian languages, distribution of printed tracts, and the establishment of schools. Interestingly, this mission tolerated the continuation of "caste distinctions" among Hindu converts to Christianity. This toleration was prevalent among Protestant Missions operating in both North and South Bharat until the 1820s.

●       Ziegenbalg's Contribution:

Ziegenbalg's understanding of religion in the South, particularly his exposure to Tamil religious texts in non-Brahmin Saivaite adheenams, influenced his belief in the distinctiveness of the "Tamil Religion" from the "Brahminical"/Vedic religion of the North. This early perspective laid the groundwork for the later assertion that Tamil Saivism had no connection to Sanatan Dharma, a notion that persists in contemporary Dravidianist discourse.

●       French Catholic Missionary Influence:

Between Ziegenbalg's era and the arrival of Lutheran Missionaries from the Leipzig Missionary Society in 1844, another significant contributor to the scholarship on 'caste' was the French Catholic Missionary Abbé Jean-Antoine Dubois. His work, "Description of the Character, Manners, and Customs of the People of India," became a prominent European account of caste in the early nineteenth century. Dubois built upon the earlier work of French Jesuit Missionary Gaston-Laurent Coeurdoux, emphasizing the intersections of textual formulations and empirical observation in understanding caste.

The Birth of 'Dravidian' Identity:

●       Foundation for 'Dravidian' Identity: The missionary endeavors not only contributed significantly to the creation of the "caste" system but also played a pivotal role in shaping a distinctive "Dravidian" identity. This identity, founded on ethnic, religious, and linguistic lines, aligns closely with the colonial formulation of the Aryan Invasion Theory (AIT).

●       Dubois’ Anthropological Service:

Abbé Jean-Antoine Dubois, with his extensive work on the character, manners, and customs of the people of India, played a pivotal role in shaping not only the discourse on caste but also in laying the foundation for the 'Dravidian' identity.

Dubois' work was acknowledged by William Bentinck, the then Governor of Madras, as crucial for understanding the "customs and manners of the Hindus." This recognition underscored the importance of missionary perspectives in bridging social worlds, a necessity for the British colonial rulers. However, it is vital to recognize that missionary efforts were inherently driven by the goal of converting souls to the "one true faith."

●       Indology and Christian Evangelical Motives:

The emergence of "Indology" as we know it today finds its roots in Christian evangelical motives. Missionaries, seeking to harvest souls and convert the 'natives,' found it imperative to understand Bharat's social fabric comprehensively. The documentation of Bharat’s “ethnography” was not merely a colonial-era phenomenon but had deeper roots in early missionary activities.

●       Missionary Influence on Dravidianism:

The concentration of missionaries in Southern Bharat holds a direct correlation with the rise of Dravidianism. Examining this historical connection sheds light on the continuity of thought, speech, and action between missionaries of the past and present-day Dravidianists. Despite the documented history, drawing attention to these connections is often labeled as "anti-secular."

Linguistic Roots: Tracing the Origin of 'Dravidian'

●       Linguistic Distinctions: To unravel the linguistic roots of 'Dravidian,' it is essential to understand its spatial and linguistic aspects. The term, originally derived from Prakrit, transformed 'Tamila' to 'Dravidar.' The linguistic diversity is evident in the absence of Prakrit inscriptions in Tamil Nadu, contrasting with Karnataka and Andhra regions where such inscriptions date back to the 3rd Century BC.

●       Early Evidence of Tamil Language: The linguistic landscape further complicates the debate as Tamil boasts the earliest evidence, dating back to 600 BC. In contrast, Telugu and Kannada languages show evidence only from the 6th Century AD. The presence of unique letters in Tamil and the absence of certain Sanskrit offshoots highlight linguistic distinctions, suggesting a shared linguistic origin that predates historical documentation.

●       Historical Linguistic Evolution: The linguistic expert emphasizes the interconnectedness of Tamil, Kannada, Tulu, and Telugu, suggesting a split from a single language before 1000 BC. Despite the absence of conclusive evidence on the timing of this linguistic divergence, the historical perspective urges caution against premature conclusions.

Conclusion:

In the next installment of this series, a deeper exploration into the "anthropological service" provided by Christian missionaries to the colonial rulers of Bharat will be undertaken. The motivations driving this service and its far-reaching consequences will be scrutinized, continuing the journey of unraveling the intricate ties between missionary work, caste, and Dravidian identity.

The 'Dravidian' identity debate in Tamil Nadu emerges as a complex interplay of linguistic, geographical, and political dimensions. The historical evolution from Prakrit to Tamil, the intricate linguistic connections, and the political appropriation of cultural symbols contribute to a nuanced understanding of the ongoing controversy.

Source- The Indian Express