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In most countries, conservatism involves "nostalgia" for fairly immediate past
E.g. In US, it is nostalgia for 1950s (before Sexual revolution)
But in India, Hindu life from 18th/19th cen is not that attractive. So H-Right appeals to a more remote past when things were "rosier"
E.g. In US, it is nostalgia for 1950s (before Sexual revolution)
But in India, Hindu life from 18th/19th cen is not that attractive. So H-Right appeals to a more remote past when things were "rosier"
Because if we go back to the practice of Hinduism on the ground in the 18th and 19th centuries, we don't get a pretty picture that appeals to everyone
E.g. Sati in Bengal, Thuggery in some parts, very stringent restrictions on widows, untouchability in Kerala
E.g. Sati in Bengal, Thuggery in some parts, very stringent restrictions on widows, untouchability in Kerala
So those are things you cannot honestly wish you would like to "conserve"
So Indian conservatism cannot hark back to that
Hence we hark back to a remote period before the arrival of muslims and maybe even Hunas - 3rd-4th cen
When India was one of the fairest parts of the world
So Indian conservatism cannot hark back to that
Hence we hark back to a remote period before the arrival of muslims and maybe even Hunas - 3rd-4th cen
When India was one of the fairest parts of the world
4th cen was indeed a period when Rome had declined. China was having its period of chaos and weakening after the end of the Han dynasty
So it was a period when India was likely the best place to be on earth
So it was a period when India was likely the best place to be on earth
But the problem is it is too distant
Sure. It was a period of considerable ferment in Indian thought and religion. A period of much innovation
So there is much that is good there
But it's hard to relate it to the present republic. That's the challenge faced by H-conservatives
Sure. It was a period of considerable ferment in Indian thought and religion. A period of much innovation
So there is much that is good there
But it's hard to relate it to the present republic. That's the challenge faced by H-conservatives
Some alternatives to 4th century exist
10th-11th cen Tamil Nad (Chozha rule)
15th-16th cen Southern India (VIjayanagar rule)
Periods of cultural excellence
But then it is hard for North Indians to relate to all this
Hence we still have 4th cen as our best candidate
10th-11th cen Tamil Nad (Chozha rule)
15th-16th cen Southern India (VIjayanagar rule)
Periods of cultural excellence
But then it is hard for North Indians to relate to all this
Hence we still have 4th cen as our best candidate
My view is different
Harking back to v v remote past isn't too healthy, though it is not without merit
We should attempt to conserve the good things from a more immediate past
(Contd..)
Harking back to v v remote past isn't too healthy, though it is not without merit
We should attempt to conserve the good things from a more immediate past
(Contd..)
And in that respect I allude to the period of late 19th/early 20th cen when traditional H-ideas mingled with the best of Western ideas.
This was a period of considerable rigour in H-practice on the ground. People still led v religious lives. But they also engaged with the West
This was a period of considerable rigour in H-practice on the ground. People still led v religious lives. But they also engaged with the West
And this synthesis created many great minds -
Srinivasa Ramanujan
CV Raman
Vivekananda
JC Bose
Tagore
Srinivasa Sastri
Sivaswami Aiyar
Bharatenduh
CP Aiyar
Rajaji
Jadunath Sarkar
Even Savarkar
and many more...
Srinivasa Ramanujan
CV Raman
Vivekananda
JC Bose
Tagore
Srinivasa Sastri
Sivaswami Aiyar
Bharatenduh
CP Aiyar
Rajaji
Jadunath Sarkar
Even Savarkar
and many more...
So this can be an alternative golden age for H-conservatives
A period of synthesis
When people rooted in the old world and its rigours engaged with the new world, without losing their roots
A model that created much excellence
A period of synthesis
When people rooted in the old world and its rigours engaged with the new world, without losing their roots
A model that created much excellence
But this period has its.challenge too.
As it coincides with the heyday of British Raj
So it remains a problematic era to glorify
As it coincides with the heyday of British Raj
So it remains a problematic era to glorify
