Religion and the Specter of the West

Religion and the Specter of the West PDF Author: Arvind-Pal S. Mandair
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023151980X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 537

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Book Description
Arguing that intellectual movements, such as deconstruction, postsecular theory, and political theology, have different implications for cultures and societies that live with the debilitating effects of past imperialisms, Arvind Mandair unsettles the politics of knowledge construction in which the category of "religion" continues to be central. Through a case study of Sikhism, he launches an extended critique of religion as a cultural universal. At the same time, he presents a portrait of how certain aspects of Sikh tradition were reinvented as "religion" during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. India's imperial elite subtly recast Sikh tradition as a sui generis religion, which robbed its teachings of their political force. In turn, Sikhs began to define themselves as a "nation" and a "world religion" that was separate from, but parallel to, the rise of the Indian state and global Hinduism. Rather than investigate these processes in isolation from Europe, Mandair shifts the focus closer to the political history of ideas, thereby recovering part of Europe's repressed colonial memory. Mandair rethinks the intersection of religion and the secular in discourses such as history of religions, postcolonial theory, and recent continental philosophy. Though seemingly unconnected, these discourses are shown to be linked to a philosophy of "generalized translation" that emerged as a key conceptual matrix in the colonial encounter between India and the West. In this riveting study, Mandair demonstrates how this philosophy of translation continues to influence the repetitions of religion and identity politics in the lives of South Asians, and the way the academy, state, and media have analyzed such phenomena.

Religion and the Specter of the West

Religion and the Specter of the West PDF Author: Arvind-Pal S. Mandair
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023151980X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 537

Get Book Here

Book Description
Arguing that intellectual movements, such as deconstruction, postsecular theory, and political theology, have different implications for cultures and societies that live with the debilitating effects of past imperialisms, Arvind Mandair unsettles the politics of knowledge construction in which the category of "religion" continues to be central. Through a case study of Sikhism, he launches an extended critique of religion as a cultural universal. At the same time, he presents a portrait of how certain aspects of Sikh tradition were reinvented as "religion" during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. India's imperial elite subtly recast Sikh tradition as a sui generis religion, which robbed its teachings of their political force. In turn, Sikhs began to define themselves as a "nation" and a "world religion" that was separate from, but parallel to, the rise of the Indian state and global Hinduism. Rather than investigate these processes in isolation from Europe, Mandair shifts the focus closer to the political history of ideas, thereby recovering part of Europe's repressed colonial memory. Mandair rethinks the intersection of religion and the secular in discourses such as history of religions, postcolonial theory, and recent continental philosophy. Though seemingly unconnected, these discourses are shown to be linked to a philosophy of "generalized translation" that emerged as a key conceptual matrix in the colonial encounter between India and the West. In this riveting study, Mandair demonstrates how this philosophy of translation continues to influence the repetitions of religion and identity politics in the lives of South Asians, and the way the academy, state, and media have analyzed such phenomena.

Political Philosophy of the Sikh Gurus

Political Philosophy of the Sikh Gurus PDF Author: Kanwarjit Singh
Publisher: Atlantic Publishers & Distri
ISBN:
Category : Political science
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
The Sikhs And Their Polity Have Attracted Good Deal Of Attention As A Result Of Recent Developments In Panjab And Some Of The Basic Formulations Are Being Questioned. In A Period Of Turmoil Both The Rulers And The Ruled Seem To Have Forgotten Their Duties. The Author, Who Has Based His Work On Original Sources Such As The Adi Granth, The Dasam Granth, Varan Bhai Gurdas And Other Contemporary Sources, Has Deve¬Loped Answers To Some Of The Problems Relating To Sikh Polity By Quoting The Authority Of The Sikh Gurus Themselves.The Major Focus Of The Present Work Is On The Political Philosophy Of The Sikh Gurus As Conceived By Guru Nanak And Developed By The Successive Gurus. The Author Asserts That Guru Nanak Clearly Understood The Political Milieu And Reacted To The Politics Of Oppression Whether It Was From The Ruling Elite Or Vested Priestly Interests. The Guru Had Clearly Laid The Foundation Of A Viable Political Alternative By Giving A Distinct Political Ideology And Creating A Model Society, In Which There Were Neither The Suppressors Nor The Suppressed. In The Present Context It Will Be Relevant To Point Out That While The Sikh Gurus Clearly Condemned Political Oppression They Also Emphasised The Use Of Moral Force As A Major Weapon To Fight Politi¬Cal Opponents. Paradoxical As It May Sound, Guru Gobind Singh Suggested A Code Of Ethics Even In The Conduct Of Wars.

Religion and Politics in Sikhism

Religion and Politics in Sikhism PDF Author: Tarlochan Singh Nahal
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788172054618
Category : Khalsa (Sect)
Languages : en
Pages : 568

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Book Description


Sikh Separatism

Sikh Separatism PDF Author: Rajiv A. Kapur
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040029906
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
First published in 1986, Sikh Separatism is a comprehensive study of the emergence of Sikh unrest in India. The appearance of Sikh fundamentalism and separatism is not a sudden development. They are both shown to have deep social and historical roots linked to the growth of contemporary Sikh identity, community and organization. The genesis of Sikh communal consciousness and organization lies in a social and religious reform movement among Sikhs from the 1870s to the 1920s. This movement is believed to have moulded Sikh perceptions of their political interests and resulted in the establishment of an institutional framework which has served as an arena and a base for Sikh separatism. The development of this reform movement and its motivations, the strategies and tactics employed by the reformers and its profound political implications are examined. This book will be of interest to students of political science, international relations, and South Asian studies.

Sikhs in Indian Politics

Sikhs in Indian Politics PDF Author: Devinder Pal Sandhu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description


Liberating Sikhism from 'the Sikhs'

Liberating Sikhism from 'the Sikhs' PDF Author: Jasabīra Siṅgha Āhalūwālīā
Publisher: Unistar Books
ISBN:
Category : Sikhism
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Articles on Sikh doctrines and polity.

Sikh Nationalism

Sikh Nationalism PDF Author: Gurharpal Singh
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 100921344X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 279

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Book Description
This important volume provides a clear, concise and comprehensive guide to the history of Sikh nationalism from the late nineteenth century to the present. Drawing on A. D. Smith's ethno-symbolic approach, Gurharpal Singh and Giorgio Shani use a new integrated methodology to understanding the historical and sociological development of modern Sikh nationalism. By emphasising the importance of studying Sikh nationalism from the perspective of the nation-building projects of India and Pakistan, the recent literature on religious nationalism and the need to integrate the study of the diaspora with the Sikhs in South Asia, they provide a fresh approach to a complex subject. Singh and Shani evaluate the current condition of Sikh nationalism in a globalised world and consider the lessons the Sikh case offers for the comparative study of ethnicity, nations and nationalism.

Sikhism

Sikhism PDF Author: Eleanor M. Nesbitt
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198745575
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
An accessible introduction to the world's fifth largest religion, this work presents Sikhism's meanings and myths, and its practices, rituals, and festivals, also addressing ongoing social issues such as the relationship with the Indian state, the diaspora, and caste.

Sikhs and Sikhism

Sikhs and Sikhism PDF Author: I. J. Singh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
Perceptive Essays That Challenge The Sikhs And Intrigue The Non-Sikhs. They Debate Religious, Historical, Social And Political Issues And Recast Age Old Traditions And Practices In Concepts And Language That Are Contemporary And Relevant.

Transition of Sikhism Into a Political Organization

Transition of Sikhism Into a Political Organization PDF Author: Gokul Chand Narang
Publisher: Forgotten Books
ISBN: 9781330250204
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
Excerpt from Transition of Sikhism Into a Political Organization It is usual to say that Sikhism, as founded by Nanak, was a sect of peaceful disciples, and retained its original character until the ministry fell into the hands of Guru Govind Singh. He was, it is said, an ambitious man, and transformed this sect of peaceful devotees into a baud of fanatical warriors. It is, undoubtedly, true that the political aspirations of the Sikhs became more pronounced under the leadership of the tenth Guru, but a careful study of the Sikh History must show that the process of transformation had begun long before the time of Guru Govind. Govind himself, in fact, as well as his work, was the natural product of the process of evolution that had been going on ever since the foundation of Sikhism. The harvest which ripened in the time of Guru Govind Singh had been sown by Nanak and watered by his successors. The sword which carved the Khalsa's way to glory was, undoubtedly, forged by Govind, but the steel had been provided by Nanak, who had obtained it, as it were, by smelting the Hindu ore, and burning out the dross of indifference and superstition of the masses, and the hypocrisy and pharisaism of the priests. "All religious movements," the German Emperor once said, "are in reality political movements." And this is true in so far as the inspiration for all public movements comes from religion. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.