Islam and Egalitarianism in Colonial Bengal: The Making of a Moral Community

This book explores how the ideology of labor became a key aspect of Bengali Muslim politics in late colonial India, focusing on the role of modern Muslim self and culture. It argues that the popularity of the Pakistan movement in Bengal was due to a distinctively modern idea of Muslim self and culture that prioritized production/labor as the site for religious, moral, ethical, and economic value. The book presents the conceptual congruence between Islam and egalitarianism as a key factor in explaining the mass appeal of the desire for Pakistan. It is a valuable contribution to the study of South Asian history, colonialism, and end of empire, as well as South Asian studies, including labor studies, Islamic Studies, and Muslim social and cultural history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate historical tapestry that paved the way for the emergence of labor as a central tenet of Bengali Muslim politics in the late colonial era of India. It argues that the profound popularity of the Pakistan movement in Bengal cannot be solely attributed to the communalization of class politics or the separatist aspirations of a religious minority seeking to escape the clutches of Hindu political dominance. Rather, it emerges from a distinctively modern conception of Muslim self and culture, which accorded primacy to production and labor as the focal point where religious, moral, ethical, and economic values would be firmly anchored.

In narrating the story of the formation of a modern Muslim identity, the book unveils the profound conceptual harmony between Islam and egalitarianism as a remarkable phenomenon that emerged in the early twentieth century. This unique perspective offers a vital key to understanding the widespread appeal of the yearning for Pakistan.

This groundbreaking work makes a significant contribution to the study of Bengal and Pakistan's origins, captivating scholars engaged in the fields of South Asian history, colonialism, and the decline of empires. It also holds great appeal for researchers specializing in South Asian studies, encompassing labor studies, Islamic Studies, and Muslim social and cultural history. By unraveling the complex web of social, cultural, and political factors that shaped the region, this book sheds light on the origins of a nation and the enduring legacies that continue to shape its destiny.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032364124