Ek Hain To Safe Hain Is Not a Slogan but a Historical Fact
Introduction
Throughout Indian history, foreign invaders have successfully ruled vast territories, not because of their own strength, but because of internal betrayals and lack of unity among Indians. The Mughals and the British, the two most dominant foreign rulers of India, did not win their empires with massive armies from Central Asia or Europe. Instead, they used Indian soldiers, Indian administrators, and Indian nobles to suppress fellow Indians.
The popular phrase “Ek hain to safe hain” (If we are united, we are safe) is not just a slogan—it is a historical fact. Had Indians stood together against foreign domination, neither the Mughals nor the British would have been able to establish control. The sad reality is that it was Indians who helped foreigners rule over India for nearly a thousand years.
1. Mughal Rule: Indians Fighting for Foreign Rulers
The Mughals were descendants of Turko-Mongol invaders, but they never had to rely much on foreign troops. Instead, they built their empire using Indian manpower, Indian generals, and Indian officials. Without Indian support, the Mughal Empire would never have lasted as long as it did.
A. Rajput Alliance with the Mughals
One of the biggest factors in Mughal success was Rajput collaboration. While some Rajputs, like the rulers of Mewar, resisted Mughal rule, many Rajput kings actively supported the Mughals. This directly helped the Mughal Empire expand and sustain itself.
✅ Raja Man Singh of Amer: One of Akbar’s top generals, he fought against Maharana Pratap, his fellow Rajput. Instead of fighting for Rajput independence, he ensured Mughal control over North India.
✅ Mirza Raja Jai Singh: He served under Aurangzeb and led campaigns against Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar and Shivaji. His loyalty to the Mughals weakened Rajput power and prolonged Mughal dominance.
✅ Several Rajput rulers accepted Mughal rule in exchange for titles, land, and privileges, choosing personal gains over Indian unity.
B. Betrayals That Helped the Mughals Expand
The Mughal Empire was built on Indian betrayal at key moments:
🔹 Battle of Khanwa (1527): Rana Sanga united Rajputs against Babur, but suffered betrayal by some of his allies. This led to his defeat and ensured Mughal rule.
🔹 Fall of Chittorgarh (1568): Instead of coming together to defend Mewar, most Rajput rulers accepted Akbar’s rule.
🔹 Mughal campaigns against Hindu rulers (17th century): When Aurangzeb attacked temples and kingdoms, many Indian nobles still chose to fight for him rather than against him.
Had Rajputs and other Indian rulers united against the Mughals, the empire would have collapsed much earlier, preventing centuries of foreign rule.
2. British Rule: Indians Betraying Their Own Country
The British did not have a large army when they first arrived. Instead, they used Indians to conquer India. The British army in India was mostly composed of Indian sepoys (soldiers), and their administration was run by Indian officers and zamindars.
A. Indian Betrayals That Helped the British
🔹 Battle of Plassey (1757): The British East India Company defeated Bengal’s Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah, not because they were militarily superior, but because Mir Jafar betrayed Siraj. Without this betrayal, the British would have struggled to gain control of Bengal.
🔹 Battle of Buxar (1764): Indian rulers Shuja-ud-Daula, Mir Qasim, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II failed to unite effectively against the British, leading to another major British victory.
🔹 Indian Sepoys in British Army (1757–1947): The British controlled India with an army mostly made up of Indians. These Indian soldiers fought against their own people to protect British rule. Even during the 1857 Revolt, many Indian regiments remained loyal to the British, helping them suppress the rebellion.
B. How Indian Princely States Strengthened the British Empire
After 1857, instead of fighting for freedom, many Indian princely states aligned with the British for their own benefit.
✅ Hyderabad, Mysore, and Travancore remained loyal to the British instead of joining freedom struggles.
✅ Rajas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Central India supported British rule for privileges and royal status.
✅ Even in 1947, some princely states initially resisted joining independent India, prioritizing their own rule over national unity.
If Indian rulers had stood together, British rule would have never lasted for two centuries. Instead, they divided themselves and allowed foreigners to control India.
3. The Price of Disunity: A Thousand Years of Foreign Rule
The result of constant Indian betrayal was a millennium of foreign domination.
✔️ The Mughals effectively ruled for 140 years (from Akbar to Aurangzeb, 1556–1707), as their power declined rapidly after Aurangzeb’s death. But Mughals won’t have won any war if it would have been united stand.
✔️ The British effectively ruled for 129 years (1818–1947) though it started ruling parts from 1757 . Entire british rule was mainly because Indians worked for them.
✔️ Every invasion—whether by Arabs, Turks, Afghans, or the British—succeeded because Indians chose to fight against each other instead of against the invaders.
If Indians had united, the history of this country would have been very different. Ek hain to safe hain is not just a slogan—it is the most important lesson from history.
4. Lessons for Today
History has proven that India’s biggest weakness has always been internal division. Even today, regionalism, caste divisions, and political rivalries prevent India from realizing its full potential. The same divide-and-rule tactics that worked for the Mughals and the British are still being used to keep Indians divided.
What can we learn?
✅ Unity is strength. The only time India was truly independent was when its people were united.
✅ Stop glorifying past betrayals. We must acknowledge the mistakes of the past and ensure they are not repeated.
✅ Avoid regional and caste-based politics. India must remain united to prevent external threats.
✅ Prioritize national interests over personal or political gains. The biggest lesson from history is that foreigners could rule only because Indians helped them.
Conclusion
The idea that India was conquered by superior foreign forces is a myth. In reality, Indians betrayed Indians—whether under the Mughals or the British. Every successful foreign rule in India was made possible because of internal divisions and selfishness among Indian rulers and elites.
If Indians had united, no invader could have ruled over them. The lesson is clear: Ek hain to safe hain is not just a slogan—it is the truth. Only by learning from history and ensuring national unity can India remain truly independent and strong in the future.
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