One of the most striking characteristics shared by many members of what might be called the Old Guard of global politics is their reliance upon history as a source of political legitimacy. Faced with the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world, they frequently look backward rather than forward, invoking historical grievances, civilizational narratives, religious symbolism and territorial memories to justify contemporary policies.

In India, political discourse has increasingly drawn upon historical and religious symbolism to shape national identity and public policy. The demolition of the Babri Mosque and the subsequent construction of a grand temple at the same site became far more than a domestic political issue. For supporters, it represented historical correction and cultural revival; for critics, it symbolized the growing fusion of religion and politics and the marginalization of minority communities. The communal violence in Gujarat, the rise of majoritarian nationalism and the hardening of policies toward Kashmir are frequently viewed through this broader ideological lens.

Russia offers a different but equally revealing example. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly invoked historical narratives associated with Imperial Russia and the Soviet experience to explain contemporary geopolitical realities. His assertion that Russians and Ukrainians constitute “one people” and his questioning of Ukraine’s historical statehood reflect a worldview in which history serves not merely as memory but as a framework for contemporary strategic claims.

The United........

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