Evolution of India’s Identity through Indigenous and Foreign Perceptions
This text explores the origin of the name India, ancient Greek, Arab, and European perceptions of India, colonial constructions, nationalist imaginings, and visions of a new India. Discover the interplay between myth and reality in shaping Indian self-identity and the impact of cultural encounters on India's historical evolution.
Evolution of India’s Identity through Indigenous and Foreign Perceptions
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Presentation Transcript
Interpreting India Indigenous and Foreign Perceptions
Origin of the name India • India as a land beyond Indus • Hindustan as a land beyond Sindhu • Myths and the reality of Indian self identity • Indian notion of sub-continental geography • Notion of al-Hind as part of Dar-ul-Islam
Imagining India • India in Ancient Greek Imagination • India in Arab/ Central Asian Imagination • India in the imagination of European Travelers in pre-colonial era • India In Chinese Imagination • India as an imagined land and Reality of Cultural Encounters
Colonial Construction of India • British Cartographic construction of India • Oriental Despotism • Village Self Republic • Natural Leaders • A mélange of mutually exclusive hostile communities held in bay by the British • A civilizing Mission to restore Ancient Glory
Nationalist Imagining of India • Ancient Civilization based on rural self sufficiency • Harmonious social organization based on Varnashram dharma (Caste system) through a Hindu vision of division of labor • India as an end product of centuries long cultural synthesis
Visions of New India • Communitarian, Stateless Rural social Organization based on the principle of non-violence • Secular democratic socialist India • Proud Hindu India with aggressive cultural identity backed by military might