Overview

Gandhi's nationalism seems simple and straightforward: he wanted an independent Indian nation-state and freedom from British colonial rule. But in reality his nationalism rested on complex and sophisticated moral philosophy. His Indian state and nation were based on no shallow ethnic or religious communalism, despite his claim to be Hindu to his very core, but were grounded on his concept of swaraj - enlightened self-control and self-development leading to harmony and tolerance among all communities in the new India. He aimed at moral regeneration, not just the ending of colonial rule. Simone Panter-Brick's perceptive and original portrayal of Gandhi's nationalism analyses his spiritual and political programme. She follows his often tortuous path as a principal, spiritual and political leader of the Indian Congress, through his famous campaigns of non-violent resistance and negotiations with the Government of India leading to Independence and, sadly for Gandhi, the Partition in 1947. Gandhi's nationalism was, in Wm. Roger Louis's phrase, 'larger than the struggle forindependence'. He sought a tolerant and unified state that included all communities within a 'Mother India'. Panter-Brick's work will be essential reading for all scholars and students of Indian history and political ideas.

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9781784530235

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Simone Panter-Brick's elegant new study attends to the stages and evolution of Gandhi's nationalism. Brimming with insight and written with a sure and fluid hand, Panter-Brick carefully navigates through and makes sense of the often dramatic turns in Gandhi's political vision and strategies for attaining independence. - Karuna Mantena, Associate Professor of Political Science, Yale University Was Gandhi a nationalist? This engrossing and intricate study illuminates the thought and action of Churchill's half-naked fakir as he resisted anti-Indian legislation in South Africa in his younger days, accepted separation from the British Empire in middle age, and labored to prevent the partition of the subcontinent late in life. Any reader wishing to fathom just what India meant to Gandhi should read this book, the work of an author who understands Gandhianity and Indianity almost as well as the Mahatma did himself. Paul Jankowski, Ray Ginger Professor of History, Brandeis University

Simone Panter-Brick's elegant new study attends to the stages and evolution of Gandhi's nationalism. Brimming with insight and written with a sure and fluid hand, Panter-Brick carefully navigates through and makes sense of the often dramatic turns in Gandhi's political vision and strategies for attaining independence. - Karuna Mantena, Associate Professor of Political Science, Yale University Was Gandhi a nationalist? This engrossing and intricate study illuminates the thought and action of Churchill's half-naked fakir as he resisted anti-Indian legislation in South Africa in his younger days, accepted separation from the British Empire in middle age, and labored to prevent the partition of the subcontinent late in life. Any reader wishing to fathom just what India meant to Gandhi should read this book, the work of an author who understands Gandhianity and Indianity almost as well as the Mahatma did himself. Paul Jankowski, Ray Ginger Professor of History, Brandeis University

Author Information

Simone Panter-Brick is a renowned expert on Mahatma Gandhi's political thought and action. Her previous publications include Gandhi and the Middle East: Jews, Arabs and Imperial Interests (I.B.Tauris) and Gandhi Against Machiavellism: Non-violence in Politics. She holds a doctorate in Law and Political Science from the University of Nancy, France.

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