Hindu Nationalism and the Language of Politics in Late Colonial India (Cambridge Studies in Indian History and Society, Series Number 11)

In this book William Gould explores what is arguably one of the most important and controversial themes in twentieth-century Indian history and politics: the nature of Hindu nationalism as an ideology and political language. Rather than concentrating on the main institutions of the Hindu Right in India as other studies have done, the author uses a variety of historical sources to analyse how Hindu nationalism affected the supposedly secularist Congress in the key state of Uttar Pradesh. In this way, the author offers an alternative assessment of how these languages and ideologies transformed the relationship between Congress and north Indian Muslims. The book makes a major contribution to historical analyses of the critical last two decades before Partition and Independence in 1947, which will be of value to scholars interested in historical and contemporary Hindu nationalism, and to students researching the final stages of colonial power in India. Half-title......Page 2 Series-title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Glossary......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 16 1 Introduction......Page 18 Nationalism and religious difference......Page 20 Ideology, symbolism and language......Page 27 Historiographical context, Congress and communalism......Page 31 The setting......Page 34 The themes and scope of the work......Page 49 2 Congress and the Hindu nation: symbols, rhetoric and action......Page 52 The Congress and holy men......Page 64 Temples, festivals and politics......Page 74 Oratory and religion: speeches on the nation......Page 84 Harnessing the cow for Congress......Page 92 3 Muslims, mass movements and untouchable uplift......Page 104 Muslims and civil disobedience: perceptions of the Congress......Page 109 Muslims and foreign-cloth boycott: Congress dominance and communal riots......Page 118 The Congress and untouchable uplift......Page 128 4 The Aryan Congress: history, youth and the 'Hindu race'......Page 148 The Arya Samaj and depictions of the past: India's ancient 'golden age'......Page 152 Arya Samaj support for Congress campaigns during civil disobedience......Page 157 The Arya Samaj, youth and physical culture: the Kangri Gurukul......Page 164 The Arya Samaj vision of swaraj: Hindu sangathan and 'Muslim politics'......Page 170 5 Congress radicals and Hindu militancy......Page 177 Socialism and Hindu nationalism: Sampurnanand and Banaras......Page 183 Flirtations with Hindu nationalism: Congress leaders in Kanpur......Page 197 From radicalism to militarism: Algu Rai Shastri, Mahabir Tyagi and Purushottam Das Tandon......Page 202 In defence of community: Hindu nationalism and volunteer movements......Page 209 6 Congress 'Raj', riots and Muslim mass contact......Page 218 Congress and the claims of 'Hindu Raj'......Page 222 ‘Political riots’: Hindu–Muslim conflict and Congress power......Page 235 The Muslim mass contact campaign in UP......Page 240 7 Congress, Pakistan and volunteer militarism......Page 251 Pakistan in the popular politics of UP: Congress’s fluctuating Muslim support......Page 254 The Hindu Mahasabha and the demand for Pakistan......Page 262 Communal conflict and volunteer organisations on the eve of Partition......Page 268 8 Conclusion......Page 282 PRIVATE AND INSTITUTIONAL PAPERS......Page 293 OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS......Page 294 MISCELLANEOUS PUBLISHED MATERIAL......Page 295 BOOKS, ARTICLES AND UNPUBLISHED THESES......Page 296 Index......Page 304 William Gould Explores What Is Arguably One Of The Most Important And Controversial Themes In Twentieth-century Indian History And Politics: The Nature Of Hindu Nationalism As An Ideology And Political Language. Rather Than Concentrating On The Main Institutions Of The Hindu Right In India As Other Studies Have Done, The Author Uses A Variety Of Historical Sources To Analyse How Hindu Nationalism Affected The Supposedly Secularist Congress In The Key State Of Uttar Pradesh. In This Way, The Author Offers An Alternative Assessment Of How These Languages And Ideologies Transformed The Relationship Between Congress And North Indian Muslisms. The Book Makes A Major Contribution To Historical Analyses Of The Last Two Critical Decades Before Partition And Independence In 1947, Which Will Be Of Value To Scholars Interested In Historical And Contemporary Hindu Nationalism, And To Students Researching The Final Stages Of Colonial Power Of India.--jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Congress And The Hindu Nation : Symbols, Rhetoric And Action -- 3. Muslims, Mass Movements And Untouchable Uplift -- 4. The Aryan Congress : History, Youth And The 'hindu Race' -- 5. Congress Radicals And Hindu Militancy -- 6. Congress 'raj', Riots And Muslims Mass Contacts -- 7. Congress, Pakistan And Volunteer Militarism -- 8. Conclusion. William Gould. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 276-286) And Index. William Gould explores what is arguably one of the most important and controversial themes in twentieth-century Indian history and politics: the nature of Hindu nationalism as an ideology and political language. Using an array of historical sources, he analyzes how it affected the secularist Congress in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Independence, and how these ideologies fostered tensions between Hindus and Muslims, and the subsequent development of communal violence. This book is intended for students of colonial India as well as those interested in contemporary Indian politics. William Gould's book explores the nature of Hindu nationalism as an ideology and political language. Using an array of historical sources, he demonstrates how Hindu nationalist ideology affected the secularist Congress in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Independence, and how these ideologies fostered tensions between Hindus and Muslims.