Pathways to Nationalism : Social Transformation and Nationalist Consciousness in Colonial Tamil Nadu, 1858–1918

This book is an attempt to examine the role of socio-economic factors in the rise and development of nationalism in the Tamil-speaking region of Madras Presidency during the period 1858 to 1918. It analyses both the socio-economic conditions and the growth of nationalism in Tamil Nadu besides their mutual relationship by applying both historical methods of documentary analysis and a sociological perspective. The post-Mutiny ambience helped Indian Nationalism to take roots in various pockets of India. The socio-economic factors facilitated its growth into a ripening stage. A study of this base period could be a launch pad to understand the growth of Indian Nationalism in all its ramifications. In this venture, I have been fortunate to be associated with a good number of scholars and friends who helped me in bringing out this volume in its present form. This book examines the socio-economic factors in the rise and development of nationalism in the Tamil-speaking region of the Madras Presidency in India between 1858 and 1918. It analyses the dynamic interaction between socio-economic conditions and nationalism in Tamil Nadu by applying both historical methods of documentary analysis and a sociological perspective. The volume looks at the advent of Western education and the role of Christian missionaries, the growth of the local press, socio-religious reform movements, decline of indigenous industries and the land revenue policies of the colonial government to arrive at a comprehensive portrait of the rise of nationalism in the Madras Presidency. The volume is invaluable for scholars of colonial history and the Indian freedom movement in southern India.