Cross, clash, dispute and war,
are the integral part of human instinct. Since the emergence of life on the
planet of the Earth, combats, fights and confrontations stood as the sign of the
presence of life. Wars between man and man, groups, wings, factions, parties,
states, regions, religions and civilizations remained ever going. The desire for
supremacy and longing for domination remained the fuel to the fire of battles.
Man, after demolishing one civilization in a brutal and beastly manner, longed
for acquiring golden titles in the world record and history. Every uncivilized
civilization tried her level worst to prove her rival victims unsophisticated
and uncultured. The victims were labeled as barren robbers by the robbers. They
were called the enemies of civilization by cruel mastodons. The reign of these
rulers were called decaying and declining period of human history. The clouds of
dark ages dangled over all the regions of the world in varying times. The
Eastern and the Western world; both enjoyed supremacy in power, culture,
education, philosophy and literature. The Renaissance Age, that brought
eye-dazzling change in the European continent, began in the 13th century from
Italy. It glamorized and enlightened whole of the western world with the idea of
Humanism. This broke the barriers of discrimination among human beings. Before
this historic epoch, Europe has gone through the worst phase of its history.
The Western world has witnessed dismal, dark and dejecting times from 100 AC to
1400 AC. The Renaissance revolution changed the shape and map of the globe. It
marked the revival of learning, wisdom, philosophy, curiosity, trade,
technology, science and various other walks of life. This evolution nurtured the
philosophy of Humanism which focused the idea, “MAN IS THE MEASURE OF ALL
THINGS. In this context, “Alexander Pope” highlighted his views as, “Proper
study of man is man”. These shining principles persuaded Europeans to explore
the world from pole to pole. Their desire for enquiry turned into the obsession
of dominance and thirst for power over others. The Humanism burnt into the
furnace of Imperialism and Colonialism. Western imperialists formed roots of
their colonies in Asia and Africa. Their progress brought various regions of the
globe into their subjection which had been called colonies.
The word “colony” brings into focus the British rule to the infinite and vast
stretches of earth till the middle of the 20th century. However, France and
Portugal had already established their colonies in Asia and Africa before the
English came to India. Indeed Portuguese were the pioneers of colonial rule in
Asia. The South East Asia has seen a terrible kind of clash among these colonial
masters. These big powers came to terms in the split and division of Africa. The
Scramble of Africa (1880) is a historic agreement among Britain, Belgium,
France, Germany, ltaly, Portugal and Spain. The accord shows the mutual consent
of all colonial masters not to quarrel among them in plundering Africa. They
made a charter and proper framework regarding the division and distribution of
Africa and its vast treasures like a booty to the colonial masters (khan, 2000).
Asia and Africa suffered such insolence because of their intellectual
backwardness. A few centuries ago, the Europeans themselves came across the same
syndrome. The western land witnessed the worst kind of decadence of human values
in the medieval ages. The brutality was in vogue. It was the worst of times when
people were caged, hanged, slaughtered and burnt alive for their righteousness.
Authoritarianism and despotism in various forms tyrannized over the people.
Prejudice on the basis of creed, caste and colour was a common phenomenon. The
customs and traditions of the primitive ages and their blind observance for the
centuries framed rules that debased the common man. Among all the vices, the
worst form of despotism was religion. The pope of Rome was not only religious
patron but de facto ruler too. Necromancy, superstitious beliefs and blind
following of church authorities denied human dignity. The use of intellect and
reason was a heinous crime. Those who dared to discover new things were
eliminated. The philosophers and scientists, who suggested some alterations or
changes in the stereo typed scientific or literary theories, were condemned as
atheists. Social institutions were locked, contemplation was blocked, learning
restrained, speech prohibited, art eclipsed and culture eliminated. In a
nutshell, darkness grew darker and the monster of superstitions devoured up all
the values of society and turned it into an animal farm, which is always led by
the big brother.
The West got rid of the dominance of the orthodox authorities which laid the
foundation of “Renaissance.’ It proved to be a turning point in the history of
the west. The renaissance current was not only generated by the western men of
letters, literary figures and philosophers. The scientists also played the
significant role in refuting stereo-typed scientific theories presented
centuries ago. This epoch of enlightenment crowned Europe with long lasting
independence. After the reawakening, they found such a track where they have
been exerting consistently. This is the fruit of such non- stop work that even
after five centuries, their supremacy over the globe still sustains.