Middle-Class Dharma: Gender, Aspiration, and the Making of Contemporary Hinduism

In her book "Middle-Class Dharma," Jennifer D. Ortegren examines how Hindu women in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, navigate class mobility and negotiate dharma, the moral and ethical principles of Hinduism, as they experiment with middle-class consumer and lifestyle practices. She argues that upward class mobility is not just a socio-economic process but also a religious one, and that these women strategically align their emerging middle-class desires with traditional religious obligations to create new dharmic boundaries and religious selfhoods in the middle classes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Middle-Class Dharma is a captivating contemporary ethnography that delves into the realm of class mobility among Hindus in the vibrant city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The book, authored by Jennifer D. Ortegren, focuses specifically on the experiences of women residing in Pulan, an emerging middle-class neighborhood within Udaipur. Ortegren's central argument is that upward class mobility is not merely a socio-economic phenomenon but also deeply intertwined with religious dimensions. At the heart of Hindu women's upward class mobility lies the intricate negotiation of dharma, the moral and ethical framework that governs the Hindu world. As these women engage with middle-class consumer and lifestyle practices, they navigate the complexities of what is deemed appropriate and permissible within the realm of dharma. Ortegren adeptly demonstrates how these women strategically align their emerging middle-class desires with more traditional religious obligations, thus creating new dharmic boundaries and religious selfhoods within the middle classes. These transitions, while filled with joy and challenges, can also be disorienting as individuals navigate the shifting landscapes of social and religious identity.

Middle-Class Dharma goes beyond a mere exploration of class mobility and delves into the profound ways in which contemporary Hindu women's everyday practices reimagine and reshape Hindu traditions. By developing dharma as an analytical category and class as a dharmic category, Ortegren challenges conventional definitions of religion in academia, both within and beyond the study of Hinduism in South Asia. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Ortegren offers a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between class, religion, and social change, shedding light on the ways in which individuals and communities navigate the ever-evolving dynamics of modernity and tradition.

Middle-Class Dharma is a valuable contribution to the field of anthropology, sociology, and religious studies, providing a nuanced understanding of the experiences of Hindu women in India and their role in shaping the religious landscape of the country. It encourages readers to think critically about the intersections of class, gender, and religion and to explore the ways in which individuals and communities negotiate the complexities of modernity and tradition. By doing so, we gain a deeper appreciation of the rich tapestry of South Asian cultures and the diverse ways in which individuals seek to define their identities and uphold their values.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197530795