The Oxford History of Hinduism : Modern Hinduism

In this volume, experts on modern Hinduism have been asked to write chapters that present findings and perspectives from their own research to a wide audience of readers with interest in the fascinating processes of transformation arising from the interaction between the cultural and religious life of Hindus and the great forces that we call ‘modernity’. No single volume can come close to capturing the totality of modern Hinduism, and the editor has made choices limiting the focus to three broad topics of particular importance. First, there are chapters about the historical emergence of modern forms of Hinduism, where we meet some of the reformers and movements that defined Hinduism in early modern times and during the colonial period. Secondly, there are chapters about new forms and new locations of Hinduism covering such topics as Hinduism on the Internet and New Age Hinduism; there is also a chapter about Hinduism in the diaspora, which is a topic covered more thoroughly by a separate volume in the book series. Thirdly, there is a section about ethics, politics, and law, with chapters covering important topics such as nationalism, caste, and legal reforms in India and in the Hindu-majority country of Nepal. Cover The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism Copyright Contents Notes on Contributors The Oxford History of Hinduism: Introduction to the Series Introduction: Modernity and Hinduism THE INVENTION OF HINDUISM? MODERNITY AND STANDARDIZATION THE CONTRIBUTIONS REFERENCES Part 1: Early Hindu Reformers and Reform Movements 1: Early Modern Hinduism KEY CONCEPTS Bhakti: Continuities, Innovations, Movements Organization: Sampradāy, Rearticulations, Patronage Language: Vernaculars, Literatures, Multilingualism MAIN FIGURES Syncretists?: Kabīr, Nānak Initiators of Sampradāys: Caitanya, VallabhaLiterary and Devotional Figures: Sūrdās, Mīrābāī, Tulsīdās CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES 2: Rammohun Roy and the Bengal Renaissance BENGAL IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY The Political Background Society Education Communications RAMMOHUN ROY Rammohun's Life Rammohun in Politics Rammohun's Religion RAMMOHUN'S LEGACY REFERENCES 3: Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay and Modern Hinduism INTRODUCTION MAJOR WRITINGS WHAT IS HINDUISM? THE DHARMA CONUNDRUM TOLERANCE, SUPERIORITY, AND INCLUSIVISM LEGACY REFERENCES 4: Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī and ISKCON INTRODUCTIONEARLY LIFE THE GAUDIYA MATH AND MISSION LONDON AND BERLIN SCHISM ISKCON RESEARCH OVERVIEW REFERENCES Primary Sources Secondary Sources Part 2: Expressions and Locations of Modern Hinduism 5: Mūrti, Idol, Art, and Commodity: The Multiple Identities of Hindu Images THE IMAGE AS MŪRTI THE IMAGE AS IDOL THE HINDU IMAGE AS ART THE IMAGE AS POLITICAL SYMBOL THE IMAGE IN CYBER SPACE: MŪRTI, COMMODITY, SYMBOL CONCLUDING REMARKS REFERENCES 6: Indian Cinema and Modern Hinduism NEW STORIES FOR NEW TIMES EROTIC LOVE: PRACTICE AND LITERARY TROPE WILFUL ANACHRONISMS AND OTHER 'MISTAKES'THE MODERN INDIAN HERO BIO-PICS: STRONG INDIVIDUALS A MULTIPLE DISCOURSE NARRATIVE FROM MAHARASHTRA TAMIL NADU: RELIGION AND POLITICS SUPPRESSION OF SEXUALITY AND RELIGION DOUBTS ABOUT RELIGION REFERENCES 7: Hindu Pilgrimage and Modern Tourism INTRODUCTION PILGRIMAGE PRIESTS MĀHĀTMYAS AND GUIDEBOOKS PILGRIMS AND PILGRIMAGES STATE-LED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY REFERENCES 8: Hinduism and New Age: Patrimonial Oneness and Religious Cosmopolitanism GROWTH AND FUZZY CONTOURS ATTRACTIONS MIDDLE-CLASS COCOONS AND PATRIMONIAL ONENESS RELIGIOUS COSMOPOLITANISMCONCLUDING REMARKS REFERENCES 9: Online Hinduism INTRODUCTION Hinduism and 'Core Concepts' A Historical Approach HINDUISM AND THE INTERNET: A BRIEF HISTORY ONLINE CREMATION Online Cremation and Religious-Social Shaping of Technology PŪJĀ Online Pūjā or the Ordering of Pūjā Online Virtual Online Pūjā Virtual Online Pūjā and Māyā CONCLUSION REFERENCES Cited Websites 10: Modern Hindu Diaspora(s) UNPACKING TERMS AND CONCEPTS DISPLACEMENTS: PRODUCING HINDU DIASPORA(S) CONTOURS OF DIASPORA HINDUISM(S) ORGANIZING SACRED SPACE: PRIVATE AND PUBLIC The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism focuses on developments resulting from movements within the tradition as well as contact between India and the outside world through both colonialism and globalization. Divided into three parts, part one considers the historical background to modern conceptualizations of Hinduism. Moving away from the reforms of the 19th and early 20th century, part two includes five chapters each presenting key developments and changes in religious practice in modern Hinduism. Part three moves to issues of politics, ethics, and law. This section maps and explains the powerful legal and political contexts created by the modern state--first the colonial government and then the Indian Republic--which have shaped Hinduism in new ways. The last two chapters look at Hinduism outside India focusing on Hinduism in Nepal and the modern Hindu diaspora. This volume focuses on developments resulting from movements within the tradition as well as contact between India and the outside world through both colonialism and globalization. Divided into three parts, part one considers the historical background to modern conceptualizations of Hinduism. Moving away from the reforms of the 19th and early 20th century, part two includes five chapters each presenting key developments and changes in religious practice in modern Hinduism. Part three moves to issues of politics, ethics, and law. This section maps and explains the powerful legal and political contexts created by the modern state - first the colonial government and then the Indian Republic - which have shaped Hinduism in new ways. The last two chapters look at Hinduism outside India focusing on Hinduism in Nepal and the modern Hindu diaspora A collection of original essays on modern Hinduism written by key international scholars.;Cover; The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism; Copyright; Contents; Notes on Contributors; The Oxford History of Hinduism: Introduction to the Series; Introduction: Modernity and Hinduism; THE INVENTION OF HINDUISM?; MODERNITY AND STANDARDIZATION; THE CONTRIBUTIONS; REFERENCES; Part 1: Early Hindu Reformers and Reform Movements; 1: Early Modern Hinduism; KEY CONCEPTS; Bhakti: Continuities, Innovations, Movements; Organization: Sampradāy, Rearticulations, Patronage; Language: Vernaculars, Literatures, Multilingualism; MAIN FIGURES; Syncretists?: Kabīr, Nānak