Overview

This is the first intellectual history of political Hinduism from its medieval origins to current-day India. It provides the ideological context of India’s rise economically and politically in the world in the last decade, illustrating not only where political Hinduism comes from, but more importantly, where it seeks to go. It provides an intellectual framework not only to understand the rise of Narendra Modi and his politics in the world’s largest democracy, but also India’s political, economic, and diplomatic choices as it negotiates its space as a rapidly rising, billion-strong democracy in a fluid and precarious world order.

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9781538126837

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[A] riveting, soul-searching narrative of India's search for self. Hindol Sengupta makes an exceptional contribution to countering colonial misconceptions of India through masterful analysis of 20th-century Indian thinkers, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, and more. . . Dispelling misconceptions about political Hinduism, Sengupta demonstrates that the cultural and social aspects of political Hinduism are not merely political in nature, but deeply entrenched within the history of India. A refreshing new work on modern India combining captivating narration with deep analysis--a must read for everyone.--Lavanya Vemsani, Distinguished University Professor, Shawnee State University

to come, but see reviews for Being Hindu: Journalist Sengupta introduces non-Hindu audiences to the world's third largest religion using a practitioner's perspective in this quick but substantive text. To Westerners, Sengupta writes, Hinduism is normally seen as a series of sensational clichés about cow worship or funeral pyres. But the reality is much more complex, as depicted here in a mix of personal memoir, general history, and speculation about where the faith community is headed. Sengupta's summaries are succinct and knowledgeable, and his expertise is evident. He includes scholarly analyses of Indian nationalism and a literature review of Hindu religious works, with some especially interesting discussions of Hindu takes on recent religious debates, such as the tensions between religion and science.... [F]or readers with little knowledge of Hinduism but a strong interest in it, Sengupta will be a welcome guide. -- Publishers Weekly Although Hinduism has thrived for more than 3,000 years and is currently practiced by one billion individuals, there is little coverage in English. To redress that lack, journalist Sengupta offers not a primer of Hindu beliefs but, rather, a personal inquiry rich in history and analysis about what it means to be a twenty-first-century Hindu.... [When] he focuses on Hindu philosophy, he is eloquently clarifying. He explicates the religion's perception that 'the divine is everywhere'; its 'commitment to plurality'; and its recognition of 'union in diversity'--teachings, he asserts, that could benefit everyone. Reaching deeper, Sengupta explains that Hinduism is a quest for 'illumination, for radiance, and for knowledge'; a profound interpretation of consciousness; and a path to peace. He also candidly acknowledges that the tradition can be both liberating and 'bewildering, ' even for Hindus. Segupta's enlightening elucidation is invaluable for understanding Hinduism, India, and the growing Hindu community in the U.S. -- Booklist The writing is warm and appealing as Sengupta deftly presents a tradition that is ancient, wise, and accepting. VERDICT: A satisfying and engaging guide to Hinduism for inquiring minds. -- Library Journal

Author Information

Hindol Sengupta is an award-winning author of nine books. He won the Wilbur Award in 2018 for Being Hindu: Understanding a Peaceful Path in a Violent World, the first book on Hinduism to win the prestigious prize given by The Religion Communicators Council of America. Earlier winners of the award include writers like Christopher Hitchens and Mitch Albom. He won the PSF Prize for public service in India in 2015. Past winners of the prize include the late Indian scientist and President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. His book Recasting India: How Entrepreneurship is Revolutionizing the World's Largest Democracy was short-listed in 2015 for the Hayek Prize given by the Manhattan Institute in memory of the Nobel laureate economist F. A. Hayek. His latest book is a best-selling biography of India's first deputy prime minister Vallabhbhai Patel. Sengupta is a World Economic Forum Young Global leader and a Knight-Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University. He has been a journalist at the Indian editions of Fortune magazine, Bloomberg TV, CNBC and CNN. He is Editor-at-Large for the Indian edition of the Fortune magazine, and currently a Chevening Scholar at the Department of Modern South Asian Studies at the University of Oxford.

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