The freedom fighters in India's long struggle for independence from British rule, or members of the African National Congress, were once classed as terrorists. History, as they say, is written by victors, but history also has many cunning corridors - how much time must elapse before all those tricky side-passages are revealed?

In this quote, Neel Mukherjee reflects on how the perception of certain groups can change over time, especially those who fought for independence and freedom. He refers to the freedom fighters in India's long struggle for independence from British rule, and members of the African National Congress, both of whom were once labeled as terrorists by colonial powers. The quote challenges the idea that history is fixed, suggesting that the labels and judgments placed on such movements can evolve as perspectives shift.

Mukherjee touches on the famous saying, "history is written by victors," which implies that those who win conflicts often have the power to shape the narrative. He questions this narrative by acknowledging the existence of "many cunning corridors" in history—metaphorically referring to the often hidden or suppressed aspects of historical events. These corridors represent the overlooked or distorted stories that are not part of the official, mainstream historical accounts.

The central point of the quote is the idea that history is not a static or definitive record. It is often shaped by those in power, but over time, new perspectives and voices reveal alternative stories. Mukherjee's reference to how much time must elapse before these "tricky side-passages" are revealed suggests that history is a complex, multi-layered narrative, and the truth behind certain events can take time to surface or be understood in a more nuanced light.

Ultimately, the quote challenges us to reconsider how we view past struggles and freedom movements. It highlights the importance of questioning the dominant historical narratives and recognizing that history is a dynamic and evolving field, where the voices of the oppressed or the marginalized can eventually come to light, altering our understanding of past events.