Modern Indian Political Thought : Text and Context

by Bidyut Chakrabarty

• ISBN13: 9788132102250
• ISBN10: 8132102258
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-06
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd

Summary

This book is essential reading for undergraduate students of political science.The salient features of the book are:" In contrast to the existing literature on the subject, it carries a context-driven conceptualisation of the major strands of political thought that emerged in India in the past two centuries. It focuses on India's peculiar socio-political processes under colonialism that influenced the evolution of such thoughts." It incorporates new ideas and issues that have been articulated, but not as extensively, in contemporary works on Indian nationalist thought and movement." It discusses the development and articulation of political thought by leaders like Gandhi, Tagore, Ambedkar, JP, Nehru and Lohia." It covers the Indian freedom struggle in detail.The distinguishing feature of this book is its linking of the text of Indian political thought with the context. In doing so, it challenges the ethno-centric interpretation of nationalism that despite its roots in western Enlightenment, evolved differently because of the context in which it was articulated.

Author Biography

Bidyut Chakrabarty is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi, Delhi. Rajendra Kumar Pandey is Assistant Professor (Human Rights) in the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Social Sciences at Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. He is also associated with the Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi, South Campus, Delhi.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Revisiting the Texts

Early Nationalist Responses

Contour of the Early Nationalist Responses

Socio-Political Thought of Ram Mohan Roy

Bankim as a Nationalist Thinker Socio-Political Ideas of Dayananda Saraswati

Jyotirao Phule: Unique Socio-Political Ideas

Assessment of the Early Nationalist Responses

Moderates and Extremists

Defining Moderates and Extremists

The 1907 Surat Split

Concluding Observations

Mahatma Gandhi

The Basic Precepts

Conceptualising Swaraj

Concluding Observations

Rabindranath Tagore

A Life in Creative Unity

Main Strands of Political Thought of Tagore

True Freedom

Nationalism

Critique of Gandhi

Concluding Observations

B R Ambedkar

A Life for the Cause of Untouchables

Castes and Untouchability in Hindu society

Annihilation of Caste

Gandhi-Ambedkar Debate

Political Thoughts of Ambedkar

Rights of the People

Constitutional Democracy

Social Justice

Concluding Observations

Jayaprakash Narayan

A Life of Ideological Turbulence

Transition from Marxism to Sarvodaya

Plan for Reconstruction of Indian Polity

Sarvodaya

Methods of Realizing the Sarvodaya Order

Total Revolution

Concluding Observations

Jawaharlal Nehru

Background

The Pragmatic Thinker

Structure of Governance: Nehruvian inputs

Planning for Development

The Dilemma of a Democrat

Internationalist Jawaharlal Nehru

Concluding Observations

Muhammad Iqbal

A Life in Complete Turnaround

Political Ideas of Iqbal

Views on Nationalism

Pan-Islamism

Ideas on Pakistan

Concluding Observations

M N Roy

From Marxism to Radical Humanism

Critique of Gandhian Thought and Action

Radical Humanism

Concluding Observations

Ram Manohar Lohia

A Life in Indigenous Evolution

Main Currents of Lohia's Political and Social Thought

Political Thought of Lohia

Critique of Western Ideologies

New Socialism

Model of Political system for India

Social Thoughts of Lohia

Lohia as an Internationalist

Concluding Observations

Subhas Chandra Bose

His Early Background

Bose's Political ideology

Bose and Hindu Orthodoxy

Concluding Observations

V D Savarkar

A Life for the Hindu Cause

Savarkar's Nationalist Interpretation of Indian History

Social Thoughts of Savarkar

Savarkar's Views on Hindutva

Concluding Observations

Pandita Ramabai

A Life in Pilgrimage for the Cause of Women

Aspects of Feminist Thoughts of Ramabai

Institutional Pursuits for Women's Emancipation

Concluding Observations

Context and Contextual Influences Re-Examined

Nature and Processes of Indian Freedom Struggle

The Revolt of 1857

The Non-cooperation Movement (1919-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-32) and Quit India Movement (1942)

The Indian National Army and the Axis Powers, 1941-45

Indian Naval Uprising

Landmarks in Constitutional Development During British Rule: A Historical Perspective

Acts and Reforms: Morley-Minto and Montague-Chelmsford Reforms

The Simon Commission

The Government of India Act 1935

The Cripps Mission

Concluding Observations

Socio-economic Dimensions of the Nationalist Movement

The Communal Question and Partition

Backward Castes Movements

Dalit Movements

Tribal Movements

Women's Movements

Civil Rights Movements

Trade Union Movements

Peasant Movements

Linguistic Movements

Culmination of the British Rule and the Making of India's Constitution

The 3 June Plan and India Independence Act, 1947

The Constituent Assembly and the Making of the Constitution

Salient Features of the Constitution

Concluding Observations

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