The great Hindu civilisation : achievement, neglect, bias and the way forward

Product DescriptionA SUCCINCT ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF THE HINDU CIVILIZATION AND ITS CURRENT CRISISWhat do we mean by the Hindu civilization? What are the texts and legacies that moved it forward from one century to another? How much of it has to do with inherited religious beliefs and how has the politicization of these beliefs changed the prism through which Hindus view themselves and others, especially those identifying with different belief systems? These are the questions the author set out to answer with this potted history of the Hindu world, in the context of changing empires and leaderships, through colonization and conquest, leading up to the present challenges presented by the proponents of Hindutva. Direct, hard-hitting and wise, this is an invaluable treatise for our timesAbout the AuthorPavan K. Varma is a writer-diplomat and was till recently an MP in the Rajya Sabha. He was earlier Advisor to the Chief Minister of Bihar, with the rank of Cabinet minister. He has been India’s Ambassador in several countries, also Director of the Nehru Centre in London, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Press Secretary to the President of India. Author of over a dozen successful books, Pavan K. Varma was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree for his contribution to the fields of diplomacy, literature, culture and aesthetics by the University of Indianapolis in 2005. He was also conferred the Druk Thuksey, Bhutan’s highest civilian award, in 2012 The fact that a great Hindu civilisation existed, and continues to exist, is not in doubt. It is marked by great antiquity, substantialeven unprecedentedrefinements, audacity of thought, and achievements both in the spiritual and secular realms. This does not mean it is unblemished, and objectivity demands that the blemishes too must be taken into account. Nor does it mean that it evolved in an insular silo or untouched by outside influences. On the contrary. And yet, this intermingling has not diluted or erased its essential identity as a verifiable civilisation. Unlike many other great civilisations of the past, the Hindu civilisation has not become a historical relic, an antiquary of the past, but has survived as an unbroken continuum to the present. It is important to know more about this civilisation, most of all for Hindus themselves. The civilisation faces a rather unfortunate paradox. On the one hand, it is notable for its resilience and continuity, and its spillover into every aspect of a Hindus life; and, on the other, Hindus themselves show little real curiosity or interest in knowing more about it. This indifference is a matter of concern, not least because, if Hindus do not know about their own civilisational legacy, their authenticity as Hindusbased on knowledgeis stunted and reduced to ritualistic tokenism. from the Introduction