This book presents an innovative approach to gender nationalism and the relations between them and analyses the broader social base of Hindu nationalist organisation to understand the growth of 'Hindutva' or Hindu nationalism in India. Arguing that Hindu nationalist thought and predilections emerge out of and in turn feed pre-existing gendered tendencies the author presents the new concept of 'masculine hegemony' specifically Brahmanical masculine hegemony. The book offers a historical overview of the processes that converge in the making of the identity ‘Hindu’ in the making of the religion ‘Hinduism’ and in the shaping of the movement known as ‘Hindutva’. The impact of colonialism social reform and caste movements is explored as is the role of key figures such as Mohandas Gandhi Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi. The book sheds light on the close yet uneasy relations that Hindu nationalist thought and practice have with conceptions of 'modernity' 'development' and women's movements and politics and the future of Hindu nationalism in India. A new approach to the study of Hindu nationalism this book offers a theoretically innovative understanding of Indian history and socio-politics. It will be of interest to academics working in the field of Gender studies and Asian Studies in particular South Asian history and politics. |Gender and Hindu Nationalism Understanding Masculine Hegemony | Asian Studies
