Remembering July 14

July 14, 1789 is a memorable day not only in the history of France but in the history of the world. That day, the people of Paris rose against their corrupt and inefficient government and expressed their anger by demolishing the castle of Bastille. It was for the first time that people showed their power with such vigour and intensity. The pertinent question that is to be asked (and has been asked frequently) is that why did this happen in France.
France emerged as a great power under the rule of Louis XIV, who was known as the ‘Sun King’. France accumulated great wealth and the royalty showed its grandeur and glory by building palaces and gardens. Not satisfied and happy in Paris living along with common people who were subject to poverty and misery, Louis decided to build a new capital far from people’s sight. This new capital of magnificence was Versailles. To the royalty, it was happiest and comfortable place as it was away from crowd.
Louis XIV ordered the French nobility to come and live in Versailles. His motive was to keep them away from their landed property in order to avoid the chance of them being subject to any conspiracy or rebellion He kept them under his surveillance. Soon the capital became a centre of feasts, debauchery and mutual jealousy. The king enjoyed being surrounded by sycophants. As royal and feudal powers and their resources accumulated in the capital, people of France were abandoned to subordinated bureaucrats to oppress and exploit as they wished, without any accountability.
To maintain the regality of this life style, the government needed money. To meet these growing expenses, heavy taxes were imposed on the people but the nobility and clergy were exempted from all taxes.
All high posts were monopolised by the children of nobility. Since it was a custom that property was inherited by the eldest son, other sons were employed in lucrative posts either in the army or in the church. There was virtually no chance for a commoner to enter the elite hierarchy. The institution of the army was empowered not only to fight wars for the glory of the country but also to crush any rebellion against the monarchy.
The successors of Louis XIV believed that everything was in order. While they were ensconced in the delusion that royalty was strong and safe at Versailles, many changes were taking place in society. A new middle class was emerging who had wealth and professionalism. It was intelligent and talented but deprived of political and social status. This class was far away from Versailles. Disgruntled, disappointed, and disillusioned, they were residing among impoverished common people who were without any social status in the society. They looked to the capital which was beyond their access – a city which was not like other French cities. They did not admire its grandeur but hated it as an island of oppression and exploitation which was inhabited by the rotten elements of the country – those who were living a luxurious life at the cost of the people’s poverty. Perhaps Louis realised it and told his audience, “After me, the deluge.”
July 14 was the day when royal power was overtaken by the people’s power. A crowd of people including women and children brought the king and the royal family back to Paris.
Gradually, the wrath of people was unleashed upon the ruling classes. The guillotine was set up in the city to cut the heads of the powerful and privileged. The Revolution did not spare even the king and queen. Both were guillotined publicly.
Since then, the slogan of the French Revolution, ‘Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity’, appeals to the subordinated and underprivileged throughout the world. The Declaration of Rights of man inspired them to struggle for their rights. The French Revolution has become a model. It continues to give hope to people to overthrow corrupt ruling classes.
We find some similarities in our country with pre-Revolutionary France. Our ruling classes also decided to shift the capital from Karachi to Islamabad where palatial buildings have been built to accommodate them. Architecturally, these buildings show neither our historical traditions nor showcase any aesthetic beauty. They reflect the bad taste of our ruling classes. The capital is built with the purpose to be away from people – a secure place for them. The common people have been abandoned by the privileged classes. If we compare the luxury of our ruling elites and the misery of commoners who languish in ghettos without clean water and sanitation, one can realise how brutal and heartless our rulers are.
From time to time, the anger of people is unleashed. They protest against injustice and demand that feudalism should be abolished. That privileged classes should pay taxes. That rule of law should be imposed. All such protests are crushed and people are herded back to their houses.
In our current situation, there is no hope of any revolution. But the revenge of the people might take other shapes and forms: terrorism, dacoity, killing and murder. Security then has become the main concern of the ruling classes. As a result of this, they are searching for means to defend themselves rather than understanding the cause of these problems. They are not interested in understanding them because it might lead to them having to surrender their privileges.
Though chances of revolution are nil, but its place may be taken by anarchy and lawlessness which consequently makes life of all classes miserable. Even Islamabad will not remain a fortress of ‘peace’ and prosperity. We should remember July 14 and its consequences.

The writer is one of the pioneers of alternate history in the country.