Religion, Orientalism and Modernity: Mahdi Movements of Iran and South Asia

Religion, Orientalism, and Modernity explores the emergence of revolutionary Babis and reformist Baha'is in Iran and the Ahmadi movement in North India, comparing their responses to a perceived need for change and renewal of religious authority.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Religion, Orientalism, and Modernity delves into the intricate interplay of modernity, Orientalist discourses, and Iranian millenarian movements. Through a comprehensive historical and discourse analysis, it uncovers the profound conflict between orthodox and heterodox religious movements in 19th- and 20th-century Iran. This study establishes a link between the conflict between orthodoxy and heterodoxy and the profound impact of modernity on Iran's society and religion, as well as the colonization of India's Muslims. By expanding the scope of this conflict, the book also encompasses Palestine, Central Asia, and Turkey, presenting a postcolonial analysis of the new movements and their broader relationship to the Islamic world during the age of imperialism.

The emergence of the revolutionary Babis and reformist Baha'is in Iran, alongside the parallel Ahmadi movement in North India, forms the central focus of this study. It offers fresh insights into the writings that shaped these innovative movements, penned by their proponents and Western interpreters alike. By comparing these movements, the book highlights the significant aspects of Islamic modernity that they collectively define.

A close examination of two case studies, namely the Babis and Baha'is in Iran and the Ahmadis in India, reveals both similarities and differences in their responses to the perceived need for change and renewal of religious authority. Through this comparative analysis, Religion, Orientalism, and Modernity sheds light on the complex dynamics and challenges faced by these millenarian movements in the context of a rapidly evolving global landscape.

This book is a valuable contribution to the study of religion, modernity, and the intersection of cultures, providing a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that have shaped the religious landscape of Iran and beyond. It will appeal to scholars, researchers, and students of Islamic studies, history, and cultural studies, as well as anyone interested in exploring the intricate relationship between religion, power, and cultural transformation.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474451697