To Raise a Fallen People: The Nineteenth-Century Origins of Indian Views on International Politics

To Raise a Fallen People highlights pioneering writing on international politics from nineteenth-century India, exploring essays, speeches, and pamphlets that address India's place in the world. It unearths competing visions of India's role and is essential reading for understanding Indian conduct in international politics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

To Raise a Fallen People is a groundbreaking exploration of nineteenth-century Indian international politics, shedding light on a period of immense political and social transformation. Through extensive archival research, the book uncovers a wealth of essays, speeches, and pamphlets that provide a rich insight into the minds of prominent public figures during this era. These texts delve into fundamental questions about India's place in the world, challenging prevailing notions and advocating for a new vision of India's role in the global community.

Prominent figures such as R.K. Narayan, Rabindranath Tagore, and Jawaharlal Nehru emerge as vocal advocates for India's modernization and international engagement. They urge their compatriots to learn English, travel abroad, and engage in scholarly debates to broaden their perspectives and understanding. They also discuss the importance of boycotting foreign goods, challenging British imperialism in Afghanistan and China, advocating for a more inclusive foreign policy that considers religious and ethnic bonds, and questioning the adoption of Western values versus championing their own civilizational ethos.

Rahul Sagar's comprehensive introduction provides valuable context for these documents, illuminating how they shaped competing visions of India's role in the world. He highlights the political, social, and cultural factors that influenced these thinkers and their ideas, shedding light on the complex web of factors that shaped India's foreign policy during this period.

To Raise a Fallen People is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the origins and evolution of Indian conduct in international politics. It offers a rich and nuanced perspective on a period of profound change and transformation, providing valuable insights into the complex web of factors that shaped India's foreign policy and its place in the global community.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206457