The Construction Of History And Nationalism In India: Textbooks, Controversies And Politics (routledge Advances In South Asian Studies)

"Most studies on nations and nationalism argue that history, or more precisely a 'common past', is crucial for the process of national identity building. However, the existence of one or more concurrent narratives for the construction of this identity is often not accounted for, and there are cases where the 'common past' or a 'collective memory' is no longer shared.This book centres on the construction, elaboration and negotiation of the narratives that have become official history in India. These narratives influence politics and the representation of the nation. Depending on the chosen definition of the nation, over 160 million Muslim Indians are either included or excluded from the nation, and considered as 'foreigners from inside'. The author shows that beyond the antagonism of two representations of history, two conceptions of the Indian nation ' secular and Hindu nationalist ' confronted each other during the history textbook controversy between 1998 and 2004. The diverging elements of the two discourses are underlined, and surprising similarities are uncovered. Yet, in contemporary India this convergence remains overshadowed in political debates as the definition of the political has been shaped by the opposition between these two visions of the nation. This book analyzes and questions the conception of the schoolătextbook as a tool of national construction and more generally highlights the complexity of the link between historiography, nation-state and nation-building."--pub. desc. Read more... Content: Nation, religion and history -- Textbooks, teachers and students -- The debate in context -- Enemies and defenders -- Perspectives and silences. Abstract: Most studies on nations and nationalism argue that history, or more precisely a 'common past', is crucial for the process of national identity building. This book focuses on the construction, elaboration and negotiation of the narratives that have become official history in India. Read more... Most Studies On Nations And Nationalism Argue That History, Or More Precisely A 'common Past', Is Crucial For The Process Of National Identity Building. However, The Existence Of One Or More Concurrent Narratives For The Construction Of This Identity Is Often Not Accounted For, And There Are Cases Where The 'common Past' Or A 'collective Memory' Is No Longer Shared. This Book Centres On The Construction, Elaboration And Negotiation Of The Narratives That Have Become Official History In India. These Narratives Influence Politics And The Representation Of The Nation. Depending On The Chosen Definition Of The Nation, Over 160 Million Muslim Indians Are Either Included Or Excluded From The Nation, And Considered As 'foreigners From Inside'. The Author Shows That Beyond The Antagonism Of Two Representations Of History, Two Conceptions Of The Indian Nation ' Secular And Hindu Nationalist ' Confronted Each Other During The History Textbook Controversy Between 1998 And 2004. The Diverging Elements Of The Two Discourses Are Underlined, And Surprising Similarities Are Uncovered. Yet, In Contemporary India This Convergence Remains Overshadowed In Political Debates As The Definition Of The Political Has Been Shaped By The Opposition Between These Two Visions Of The Nation. This Book Analyzes And Questions The Conception Of The Schoolătextbook As A Tool Of National Construction And More Generally Highlights The Complexity Of The Link Between Historiography, Nation-state And Nation-building.--pub. Desc. Nation, Religion And History -- Textbooks, Teachers And Students -- The Debate In Context -- Enemies And Defenders -- Perspectives And Silences. Sylvie Guichard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Most studies on nations and nationalism argue that history, or more precisely a 'common past', is crucial for the process of national identity building. However, the existence of one or more concurrent narratives for the construction of this identity is often not accounted for, and there are cases where the ‘common past’ or a ‘collective memory’ is no longer shared. This book centres on the construction, elaboration and negotiation of the narratives that have become official history in India. These narratives influence politics and the representation of the nation. Depending on the chosen definition of the nation, over 160 million Muslim Indians are either included or excluded from the nation, and considered as ‘foreigners from inside’. The author shows that beyond the antagonism of two representations of history, two conceptions of the Indian nation – secular and Hindu nationalist – confronted each other during the history textbook controversy between 1998 and 2004. The diverging elements of the two discourses are underlined, and surprising similarities are uncovered. Yet, in contemporary India this convergence remains overshadowed in political debates as the definition of the political has been shaped by the opposition between these two visions of the nation. This book analyzes and questions the conception of the school textbook as a tool of national construction and more generally highlights the complexity of the link between historiography, nation-state and nation-building. Interdisciplinary Studies Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Illustrations 8 Acknowledgements 9 Abbreviations 11 Introduction 14 1 Nation, religion and history 22 2 Textbooks, teachers and students 45 3 The debate in context 66 4 Enemies and defenders 99 5 Perspectives and silences 132 General conclusion 174 Notes 180 Bibliography 206 Index 236 This Book Centres On The Construction, Elaboration And Negotiation Of The Narratives That Have Become Official History In India. It Demonstrates The Conception Of The School Textbook As A Site Of National Construction And More Generally Highlights The Problematic Link Between Historiography, Nation-state And Nation-building.