Religion in India: Past and present

The religious map of India is complex, with indigenous traditions and imported faiths such as Islam and Christianity. Lawrence A. Babb's book provides an account of the subcontinents principal religions, focusing on how they began, what they teach, what they have become, and how religion fits in modern India's national life. It assumes no previous knowledge of Indian institutions or history and is designed to give readers a big picture. The book covers the development of Vedic religion, the emergence of dissenting traditions, Buddhism and Jainism, the development of Hinduism, and the coming of Islam to the subcontinent. The concluding chapters deal with the impact of colonialism on Indian religions, the role of religion in the independence struggle, and the riddle of religions place in the Republic of India's national identity.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 250 pages
\n Publication date: 23 January 2020
\n Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press
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The religious landscape of India is a intricate tapestry, with a rich blend of indigenous traditions and imported faiths like Islam and Christianity. To navigate this diverse terrain, Lawrence A. Babb offers a comprehensive guide for the non-specialist. In his book, he delves into the origins, teachings, evolution, and significance of the major religions prevalent in the subcontinent, providing a broad overview that leaves the finer details to specialized texts. The book assumes no prior knowledge of Indian institutions or history, aiming to offer a historical perspective on India's religious development. Spanning from the Indus-Valley period (c. 2600-1900 BCE) to the present, the author traces the evolution of Vedic religion, the emergence of dissenting traditions, Buddhism and Jainism, the rise of Hinduism, and the arrival of Islam to the subcontinent.

The concluding chapters of the book explore the impact of colonialism on Indian religions, the role of religion in the independence struggle, and the complex relationship between religion and the national identity of the Republic of India. This textbook is designed for university-level courses on India and South Asian studies, as well as for a general readership interested in South Asia and those traveling to the region. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the multifaceted and dynamic religious landscape of India.

\n Weight: 450g\n
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781780460741\n
Edition number: New ed\n