Contesting nationalisms
Subtitle: Hinduism, secularism and untouchability in colonial Punjab, 1880-1930
By: Vikas Pathak
Publisher: Primus Books
Published: 2018
Place of publication: Delhi
Language: eng
Number of pages: 265
ISBN-13: 9789386552792; 9789386552808
Subjects: Nationalism; History; Dalits; Political activity; Hinduism and politics; Secularism
Description: "Indian nationalism has been a contested space over the last century. Claims and counter-claims have been advanced regarding its nature for long now. This book argues that there are multiple visions of Indian nationalism, each seeking hegemony over national discourse, and that divergences regarding the cultural-ideological contours of the idea of India are central to the contest over what Indian nationalism means. Contesting Nationalisms identifies four strands: composite culture nationalism; religious nationalism; a secular, citizen-centric nationalism, and a vision of 'Dalit nationalism' seeking to reorder the public sphere in its own fashion. It traces these visions, which emerged in colonial India, through an exploration of the ideas of key ideologues in colonial Punjab. The analysis also has implications for our understanding of communalism, which has been seen as intertwined with nationalism in India for more than a century now"--Publisher's description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-261) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: exploring multiple discourses on nationalism in India; title: Cultural contests and syncretism in colonial Punjab; title: Composite moorings of the nation; title: Regimenting the community: mapping initial glimmers of Hindu nationalism; title: Hindu nationalism: the community as nation; title: Beyond the community: towards a secular nationalism; title: Glimmers of a 'Dalit' vision of nationalism.