*Bharat’s Forgotten Civilisation and the Geopolitical Blind Spot*

Author: Nila Bala @Small Drops (Balananthini Balasubramaniam)

Copyright: © 2025 Nila Bala @Small Drops (Balananthini Balasubramaniam). All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations for academic or journalistic purposes.

*Introduction: A Civilisational Crossroads*

India, or Bharat, stands at a pivotal juncture in its civilisational and geopolitical journey. Possessing unparalleled historical depth, it paradoxically suffers from internal fragmentation, civilisational amnesia, and an underestimation of its maritime legacy. The Chola Empire (900–1300 CE) epitomises India’s historical capacity for maritime dominance and diplomatic sophistication—a legacy largely overlooked in contemporary strategic discourse.

Today, the geopolitical chessboard is increasingly defined by China’s patient expansion through the Belt & Road Initiative and Sri Lanka’s strategic southern gateways. Bharat’s failure to integrate its historical maritime wisdom with modern strategy has left it vulnerable to both external encroachment and internal fissures.

*Historical Maritime Mastery: The Chola Empire (900–1300 CE)*

The Cholas commanded a formidable naval fleet, projecting influence across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia (Nilakanta Sastri, 1955). Their strategy fused trade, diplomacy, and military operations, creating a civilisational network spanning the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Malay Peninsula.

Key Attributes of Chola Maritime Strategy:

Naval Dominance: Sustained expeditions to distant shores and control over critical sea lanes.

Economic Leverage: Establishment of trade outposts and maritime taxation systems.

Cultural Diplomacy: Propagation of Tamil culture, art, and religion, enhancing soft power.

The Chola paradigm demonstrates that civilisational coherence, maritime capacity, and strategic foresight are indispensable for sustained regional influence.

*Comparative Historical Insights: Russia and Western Colonial Powers*

*Russian Expansion (1550–1900 CE)*

Russia’s territorial growth was predominantly continental, integrating vast and diverse territories administratively and culturally (Pipes, 1990). While effective territorially, it lacked the global maritime reach exemplified by the Cholas.

*Western Colonial Expansion (1500–1900 CE)*

European powers, including Britain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, executed episodic maritime expansions underpinned by mercantile interests (Boxer, 1969). Their influence, while substantial, relied on temporary control of ports rather than integrated civilisational strategy.

Insight: India’s historical maritime approach arguably demonstrated greater civilisational coherence and sustainability than Western episodic expansions.

*Contemporary Geopolitical Threats*

China: Executes a patient, multi-dimensional strategy via the Belt & Road Initiative, consolidating influence across the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka: Ports at Hambantota and Colombo provide strategic entry points for Chinese naval and economic presence.

Internal Fragmentation: Linguistic, regional, and identity divides, compounded by colonial legacies, impede cohesive policy-making.

Eelam Tamils: A critical civilisational and political constituency whose engagement can bolster India’s regional stability and influence.

These factors converge to produce a scenario in which India contends with internal fissures while external actors consolidate regional dominance.

*Strategic Opportunities: Civilisational Alignment and Multilateral Leverage*

*1. Eelam Tamil Engagement*

Historical and Cultural Significance: Eelam Tamils maintain a robust civilisational identity and diaspora network historically intertwined with India.

Political Leverage: Inclusive dialogue and support for legitimate political solutions can mitigate regional instability.

Geopolitical Advantage: Constructive engagement enhances India’s influence in Sri Lanka, countering Chinese maritime expansion.

Civilisational Alignment: Reinforces India’s historical model of regional diplomacy and cultural influence.

Recommendation: Establish a structured framework for dialogue with Eelam Tamil leadership, ensuring inclusive political solutions while safeguarding Indian strategic interests.

*2. India–Russia Leverage Against China–Sri Lanka Alignment*

Existing Relationship: Strong diplomatic, military, and economic ties provide India with strategic leverage.

Strategic Objective: Encourage Russia to limit support for Sinhala-dominated Sri Lanka, emphasising the threat posed by the China–Sri Lanka partnership to regional security.

Geopolitical Argument:

The China–Sri Lanka alignment undermines Indian Ocean security and regional stability.

A recalibrated Russian position would benefit both India and Russia strategically.

*3. Western Diplomatic Alignment*

Strategic Engagement: Actively coordinate with Western powers—US, UK, France, EU partners—to highlight the risks of unchecked Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.

Objectives:

Promote multilateral maritime security initiatives.

Strengthen joint naval exercises and intelligence sharing.

Encourage economic alternatives to Chinese infrastructure investments in Sri Lanka.

Civilisational Rationale: Western alignment supports India’s historical strategy of balancing regional powers while safeguarding free trade routes and maritime security.

*Implementation Measures*

Engage at bilateral and multilateral forums (UN, BRICS, SCO, Quad) to highlight strategic threats.

Share intelligence on Chinese and Sri Lankan maritime developments with Russia and Western partners.

Coordinate strategic messaging to secure international support.

Develop joint maritime security and economic projects with Western partners to reduce dependence on Chinese-backed initiatives.

*Strategic Outcomes*

Reduced external support for Sinhala-dominated Sri Lanka, enhancing India’s regional leverage.

Curtails Chinese expansion in the Indian Ocean, safeguarding maritime trade routes.

Positions India as a regional stabiliser and civilisational strategic leader.

Reinforces long-term, historically informed planning in the Indian Ocean through multilateral partnerships.

*Lessons from Comparative History*

Civilisational Coherence: Integral for sustained regional and global influence.

Maritime Foresight: Provides enduring strategic advantage.

Internal Unity: Strengthens policy implementation and deterrence.

Historical Insight: Modern strategy must integrate diaspora engagement and regional alliances.

*Recommendations*

1. Maritime Revival: Invest in ports, shipbuilding, and naval infrastructure.

2. Civilisational Education: Integrate Chola and historical strategic studies into academic and policy curricula.

3. Southern Engagement: Strengthen ties with Southern Indian states and Eelam Tamil leadership while monitoring China–Sri Lanka initiatives.

4. Internal Cohesion: Promote civilisational narratives and inter-state cooperation to overcome fragmentation.

5. Long-Term Planning: Adopt multi-decade, historically informed strategic planning for the Indian Ocean and regional policy.

6. Diplomatic Leverage: Utilise India–Russia relations and Western partnerships to counterbalance China–Sri Lanka alignment.

*Conclusion: Reclaiming Bharat’s Strategic Legacy*

Bharat’s historical maritime and civilisational strength, exemplified by the Chola Empire, remains underutilised. Internal fragmentation and civilisational amnesia render India vulnerable to strategic encroachment by China and its southern allies, while Western and Russian powers remain critical balancing actors.

Strategic Imperatives:

Engage proactively with Eelam Tamils to stabilise the southern Indian Ocean.

Leverage India–Russia relations and Western diplomatic alignment to mitigate Chinese expansion.

Revive maritime capabilities, strengthen internal cohesion, and integrate civilisational wisdom into modern strategy.

Adopt multi-decade planning grounded in historical insight to secure India’s regional and global influence.

Through a fusion of historical insight and strategic foresight, India can reclaim civilisational influence, assert leadership in the Indian Ocean, and emerge as a preeminent regional and global power in the 21st century.

*References*

Nilakanta Sastri, K. A. (1955). The Cholas. University of Madras.

Pipes, R. (1990). Russia under the Old Regime. Penguin Books.

Boxer, C. R. (1969). The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415–1825. Hutchinson.

Subrahmanyam, S. (1990). The Political Economy of Commerce: Southern India 1500–1650. Cambridge University Press.

© 2025 Nila Bala @Small Drops (Balananthini Balasubramaniam). All rights reserved.