Vedantic Hinduism in Colonial Bengal: Reformed Hinduism and Western Protestantism

This book explores how modern Hindu identities were constructed in the early nineteenth century, drawing parallels between Protestantism and the rise of modernity in the West. It argues that nineteenth-century Hindu modernity sought individual flourishing and collective emancipation from Western domination, and constructed Hinduism as a religion of sacred texts, such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. The book traces the major ideological paths taken in this cultural-religious reformation from its originator Rammohun Roy to its last major influence, Rabindranath Tagore, offering a unique view on the formation of modern Hindu identities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate processes through which modern Hindu identities emerged in the early nineteenth century. It establishes fascinating parallels between sixteenth and eighteenth-century Protestantism and the emergence of modernity in the West, as well as the Hindu reformation that played a significant role in shaping the rise of Vedantic Hindu modernity discourse in India. The author argues that nineteenth-century Hindu modernity aimed to achieve individual flourishing and collective emancipation from Western dominance. For the first time, Hinduism began to be constructed as a religion centered around sacred texts, particularly the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. These texts served as the foundation for the main protagonists of Vedantist modernity, who sought to imitate Western Protestantism while simultaneously inventing unique interpretations of what it meant to be Hindu.

The book meticulously traces the major ideological paths taken in this cultural-religious reformation, from its originator Rammohun Roy to its last major influence, Rabindranath Tagore. By engaging in a comparative analysis of these two versions of modernity, the book offers a fresh perspective on the formation of modern Hindu identities. This work will be of immense interest to scholars of religious studies, Hinduism, South Asian studies, religious history, and interreligious dialogue. It provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between cultural, religious, and historical factors that have shaped the development of Hinduism in the modern world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367540265