Hindu Nationalism and the Language of Politics in Late Colonial India

William Gould explores what is arguably one of the most important and controversial themes in twentieth-century Indian history and politics: the nature of Hindu nationalism as an ideology and political language. Using an array of historical sources, he analyses how Hindu nationalism affected the secularist Congress in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Independence, and how these ideologies fostered tensions between Hindus and Muslims, and the subsequent development of communal violence. This an important and challenging book, for students of colonial India and for those interested in contemporary Indian politics.