Story Brunch
Sometimes, history is crafted to fit a political script. Stories pop up where facts are missing, and myths arise when people want a convenient villain or hero. This rewriting of history is not new. Across the world, power-hungry groups have reshaped facts to justify their actions. Yet, many argue that left-wing movements often excel at this art of “inventing” history. They build false idols, weave tales of endless oppression, and spread “atrocity literature” to keep their agendas rolling. Let’s explore a few famous examples where fiction blended so perfectly with fact that it seemed like real history.
The Infamous Marie Antoinette Quote
The most famous myth is the line “If they cannot eat bread, let them eat cake.” Many people still believe Marie Antoinette said this. In reality, there is no record of her uttering these words. They first appeared in writings well before Marie Antoinette even arrived at the French court. But the story suited the revolutionaries’ narrative: a spoiled queen mocking the starving masses. It painted her as a cold-hearted villain and fueled anger against the monarchy. The myth took hold and became part of the revolutionary legend. Even today, it’s quoted as fact in casual conversation.
Soviet Photo Trickery
In the Soviet Union, rewriting history was done quite literally. Under Joseph Stalin’s regime, official photographs were frequently edited. If someone fell out of Stalin’s favor, they were erased from pictures and textbooks. These vanished faces were often high-ranking Bolsheviks or former allies. This practice created the illusion that they never existed or mattered. By airbrushing people out of the collective memory, Stalin’s government could claim a neat and tidy history where only the loyal and faithful had ever held power.
The Rise of Che Guevara’s Myth
Ernesto “Che” Guevara is often hailed as a symbol of justice and revolution. Posters and T-shirts show him as a kind, noble hero. However, many records describe Che’s role in carrying out executions and harsh punishments in Cuban prisons. These details rarely appear in the popular legend. Instead, the story of a romantic revolutionary with a heart for the poor takes center stage. This sanitized version is perfect for stirring rebellion and rallying support. The grim realities are often kept hidden, helping the Che myth endure as a banner of left-wing revolutions worldwide.
Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap”
Under Mao’s rule in China, the “Great Leap Forward” was advertised as a grand plan to make the country prosper overnight. Slick propaganda posters showed happy peasants and bountiful harvests. In reality, flawed policies led to mass starvation and misery. Yet the official line kept praising Mao and his vision, masking the scale of suffering. Even after millions died, the Communist Party continued to control the narrative. While the horrors eventually came to light, many early records were destroyed, leaving gaps that were filled with heroic tales of Mao’s grand designs.
Fabricating “Martyrs” for a Cause
At times, left-wing movements have also created stories of so-called martyrs or exploited figures who never actually existed. In certain regions, rumors about peasants or workers being tortured by wicked landlords or factory owners grew into full-blown legends. These stories—though unproven—served to spark fury and justified the push for radical reforms. Over time, those “martyrs” slipped into textbooks, fueling perpetual outrage. Anyone who questioned their authenticity risked being labeled an enemy of progress.
Fake Histories in India: Invented Narratives and Social Divide
History can be twisted to serve political goals. In India, several stories have been amplified or entirely fabricated to create a sense of constant oppression and division. These narratives often target Hinduism or highlight caste-based animosity. While genuine social issues do exist, some claims lack historical evidence and seem designed to stoke anger rather than reveal the truth. Let us look at a few prominent examples.
The “Breast Tax” in Kerala
A popular tale says that women from lower castes in Kerala were once forced to pay a “breast tax” if they chose to cover their chests. The story usually revolves around a tragic heroine who defied this cruel custom. Yet historians have found no official record or reliable proof of such a tax ever existing. Kerala did have social inequalities, like many parts of the world, but the idea of a targeted “breast tax” appears to be an invention.
Why would such a story spread? It is striking, emotional, and easy to remember. It plays into an existing narrative that ancient and medieval Indian practices were uniquely oppressive. Repeated often, it becomes accepted as truth by many, despite the lack of evidence.
Fatima Sheikh: A Figure Without Historical Roots
In recent years, the name Fatima Sheikh has surfaced as a supposed educator who worked closely with Jyotirao (Jyotiba) Phule. She is celebrated in certain circles and described as a pioneering Muslim woman teacher. However, upon examining historical documents, diaries, and records linked to the Phule family, Fatima Sheikh’s name does not appear.
This raises questions about how she became part of the modern conversation. Some suggest she was invented to promote a narrative of harmony and shared struggle. Others feel she may have been a minor figure whose role was magnified much later. Whatever the case, there is no solid archival trace that confirms her story. Yet the legend continues to grow, repeated on social media and in speeches as if it were well-documented history.
The “5,000 Years” of Denial of Water to Dalits
Another myth claims that Dalits have been systematically denied access to water for “5,000 years,” implying an unbroken chain of oppression from ancient times. This simplistic timeline has little historical backing. India’s social structure is complex, and local customs varied greatly by region and era. While discrimination did happen—and still occurs in some places—lumping thousands of years into one sweeping statement overlooks nuanced historical shifts and reforms.
The “5,000 years” narrative is powerful because it stirs moral outrage. It frames modern-day inequalities as part of an eternal pattern, giving them a near-mythic status. Many accept the figure at face value, rarely pausing to question its accuracy.
Why These Myths Persist
Fictional events and quotes thrive when they feed an existing narrative. If a story fits neatly with how people already feel, it spreads like wildfire. Repeat it often enough—through speeches, slogans, or social media—and it becomes part of public memory. The line between truth and falsehood blurs, and a handy myth is born.
The Power of a Convincing Lie
These myths work so well because they strike deep emotional chords. They paint a vivid picture: a cruel elite, a noble rebel, or a saintly victim. It’s easy to rally support when the tale is simple and the villain clear. That’s why leaders and movements of all stripes—not just left-wing, but many across the political spectrum—use invented or twisted stories. They understand the power of a story that “feels” true, even if the facts do not back it up.
Conclusion
The article shows that mythologizing, quote misattribution, and manipulation of historical records are potent tools for political movements—especially when they serve an already-popular narrative. While the examples here focus on left-wing regimes and figures, these tactics cross all ideological lines. Recognizing how easily facts can be twisted underscores the importance of skepticism, thorough research, and a willingness to reevaluate long-held beliefs.
