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Indian Nationalism: The Essential Writings
How do we define nationalism?
Who is a good nationalist? Do you become anti-national if you criticize the government? These are questions that overwhelm most debates today, but these discussions are not new. And while the loudest voices would have us believe that Indian nationalism is (and has always been) a narrow, parochial, xenophobic one, our finest political leaders, thinkers, scientists and writers have been debating the concept since the early nineteenth century and come to a different conclusion.
Nationalism as we understand it today first came into being more than a hundred years ago. Studied by historians, political scientists and sociologists for its role in world history, it remains one of the strongest driving forces in politics and also the most malleable one. A double-edged sword, it can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument used to cause strife around political, cultural, linguistic or, more importantly, religious identities.
In this anthology, historian S. Irfan Habib traces the growth and development of nationalism in India from the late nineteenth century through its various stages: liberal, religion-centric, revolutionary, cosmopolitan, syncretic, eclectic, right liberal…The views of our most important thinkers and leaders—Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajajgopalachari, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sarojini Naidu, B. R. Ambedkar, Rabindranath Tagore, M. N. Roy, Maulana Azad, Jayaprakash Narayan and others—remind us what nationalism should mean and the kind of inclusive, free and humanistic nation that we should continue to build.
Who is a good nationalist? Do you become anti-national if you criticize the government? These are questions that overwhelm most debates today, but these discussions are not new. And while the loudest voices would have us believe that Indian nationalism is (and has always been) a narrow, parochial, xenophobic one, our finest political leaders, thinkers, scientists and writers have been debating the concept since the early nineteenth century and come to a different conclusion.
Nationalism as we understand it today first came into being more than a hundred years ago. Studied by historians, political scientists and sociologists for its role in world history, it remains one of the strongest driving forces in politics and also the most malleable one. A double-edged sword, it can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument used to cause strife around political, cultural, linguistic or, more importantly, religious identities.
In this anthology, historian S. Irfan Habib traces the growth and development of nationalism in India from the late nineteenth century through its various stages: liberal, religion-centric, revolutionary, cosmopolitan, syncretic, eclectic, right liberal…The views of our most important thinkers and leaders—Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajajgopalachari, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sarojini Naidu, B. R. Ambedkar, Rabindranath Tagore, M. N. Roy, Maulana Azad, Jayaprakash Narayan and others—remind us what nationalism should mean and the kind of inclusive, free and humanistic nation that we should continue to build.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2017
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January 31, 2023An anthology that traces the growth and development of nationalism in India.
Last year, I had read Ramachandra Guha's book "Makers of Modern India" and since then I was looking forward to read some anthological work on the evolution of modern India. So I found this book, and boy did it fascinate me. It includes the writings of the pre-eminent thinkers and doers that the Indian history have had.
As the title suggests, most of the excerpts are based on (liberal) nationalism and that were inclusive and intended at building a free and humanistic nation. But as they say, nationalism is a double - edged sword : it can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument. With time, the great ideology of liberal nationalism has turned into a crude jingoism. This has compromised the very idea of the genesis of nationalism.
Although all excerpts written show great critical thinking amongst the writers, I was very much moved by the writings of Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh and BR Ambedkar.
"It is not nationalism that is evil, it is the narrowness, selfishness, exclusiveness which is the bane of modern nations which is evil."
5/5 from my side !
Last year, I had read Ramachandra Guha's book "Makers of Modern India" and since then I was looking forward to read some anthological work on the evolution of modern India. So I found this book, and boy did it fascinate me. It includes the writings of the pre-eminent thinkers and doers that the Indian history have had.
As the title suggests, most of the excerpts are based on (liberal) nationalism and that were inclusive and intended at building a free and humanistic nation. But as they say, nationalism is a double - edged sword : it can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument. With time, the great ideology of liberal nationalism has turned into a crude jingoism. This has compromised the very idea of the genesis of nationalism.
Although all excerpts written show great critical thinking amongst the writers, I was very much moved by the writings of Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh and BR Ambedkar.
"It is not nationalism that is evil, it is the narrowness, selfishness, exclusiveness which is the bane of modern nations which is evil."
5/5 from my side !
April 26, 2018
Essential collection of essays from thinkers and historical figures ranging from the late colonial period to independence containing the major streams of nationalist thought in India from liberal nationalism, religious nationalism to composite and cosmopolitan thinkers and revolutionary as well as radical ones.
December 27, 2019
This book is actually a collection of writings by some of the well known faces of indian freedom struggle. What comes out as an undisputed reality is everybody had a vision of the nation in front of them. And actually this is the inherent diversity of our nation. Also one thing is very clear that none of them whether its gurudev or mahatma or frontier Gandhi or nehru or Patel had a vision which proposed an aggressive nationalism. Aggresive nationalism or the excessive pride does only damage in the long run to the very citizens of the nation.
October 14, 2021
Organized, thorough writing by Historian, Habib.
This helped me to understand different views of Nationalism in India.
Essays from early Indian Writers on Nationalism.
Views span from Religio-Centric Nationalism to Cosmopolitan vision and Integrated Nationalism.
Essays from, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Sri Aurobindo, Iqbal, Tagore, Gandhi, Nehru et al.
The following line was funny,
British historian Elie Kedourie stated: ‘Nationalism is also sometimes described as a new tribalism’
Anyone who is interested in Indian Politics, probably would like this work.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
This helped me to understand different views of Nationalism in India.
Essays from early Indian Writers on Nationalism.
Views span from Religio-Centric Nationalism to Cosmopolitan vision and Integrated Nationalism.
Essays from, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Sri Aurobindo, Iqbal, Tagore, Gandhi, Nehru et al.
The following line was funny,
British historian Elie Kedourie stated: ‘Nationalism is also sometimes described as a new tribalism’
Anyone who is interested in Indian Politics, probably would like this work.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
November 17, 2018
In the age of hyper nationalism, not just in India but countries around the world,
this was a great and timely read.
Coincidentally I finished reading this book on First World War Centenary,
the day on which first terrible world war , driven by nationalists of many nations ended .
100 years are passed but we do not seem to learn.
The book presents views of prominent leaders of freedom struggle, whom are currently being
discussed and projected as symbols of nationalism. Ironically those same leaders be first one to staunchly oppose it today.
It is not that all the opinions condemn nationalism or praise it. Many have contradictory views on whether or not,if yes then
in which way it is beneficial or limiting. But mostly have condemned the version which we are witnessing currently.
You will get new perspective for questions being debated lately.
1) What is nation and nationalism ?
2) Was India always the nation?
3) Whether and/or What is role of religion in nationalism ?
4) Is nationalism in itself is good or bad ?
Ambedkar's view was most rational.
Bhagat Singh asked very difficult questions to cultural and communal views.
Rabindranath Tagore's was most universal, closed to the planetary phase of civilization.
Some quotes which I found worthy of mention:
"Nationalism is a double edged sword: It can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument.", Nehru.
Even the two full-fledged wars with Pakistan did not evoke such a combative nationalism as we are witnessing today.
The ultimate aim of the original right wing nationalism that emerged in already established nation states was to claim the monopoly on patriotism , and thereby
everyone else as some sort of a outsider, traitor.
Communal-ism is not self-sustaining and requires a clearly defined enemy at all times.( You definitely know the current one.)
"It is not nationalism that is evil, it is the narrowness, selfishness,exclusiveness which is the bane of modern nations which is evil.", Mahatma Gandhi.
It was surprising to know the problem we are facing currently are not at all new.
The same were addressed accurately by great men of time but it seems that we learn nothing from history, it repeats itself.
this was a great and timely read.
Coincidentally I finished reading this book on First World War Centenary,
the day on which first terrible world war , driven by nationalists of many nations ended .
100 years are passed but we do not seem to learn.
The book presents views of prominent leaders of freedom struggle, whom are currently being
discussed and projected as symbols of nationalism. Ironically those same leaders be first one to staunchly oppose it today.
It is not that all the opinions condemn nationalism or praise it. Many have contradictory views on whether or not,if yes then
in which way it is beneficial or limiting. But mostly have condemned the version which we are witnessing currently.
You will get new perspective for questions being debated lately.
1) What is nation and nationalism ?
2) Was India always the nation?
3) Whether and/or What is role of religion in nationalism ?
4) Is nationalism in itself is good or bad ?
Ambedkar's view was most rational.
Bhagat Singh asked very difficult questions to cultural and communal views.
Rabindranath Tagore's was most universal, closed to the planetary phase of civilization.
Some quotes which I found worthy of mention:
"Nationalism is a double edged sword: It can be a binding force or a deeply divisive instrument.", Nehru.
Even the two full-fledged wars with Pakistan did not evoke such a combative nationalism as we are witnessing today.
The ultimate aim of the original right wing nationalism that emerged in already established nation states was to claim the monopoly on patriotism , and thereby
everyone else as some sort of a outsider, traitor.
Communal-ism is not self-sustaining and requires a clearly defined enemy at all times.( You definitely know the current one.)
"It is not nationalism that is evil, it is the narrowness, selfishness,exclusiveness which is the bane of modern nations which is evil.", Mahatma Gandhi.
It was surprising to know the problem we are facing currently are not at all new.
The same were addressed accurately by great men of time but it seems that we learn nothing from history, it repeats itself.
October 30, 2019
This is an excellent and very important book. While Irfan Habib does not hide his distress when it comes to recent events in India, he has made the effort to present us with a wide-ranging selection of writings on the topic of nationalism. To make it better balanced, he could have added in a few writings of Veer Savarkar, the founder of the RSS.
However, Savarkar has been quoted, and his views can be seen to be radically different from most of the people who's writings are in the book.
It is a book that needs to be read by many Indians, as they will see how far we seem to be drifting from the vision of many great Indians who lived during the early part of the last century, and who played a significant role in shaping India.
To end with the writings of JP Narain is masterly. I am forced to reassess my own views on JP and to put him on a very high pedestal indeed.
This is an excellent book. In many ways, it is timeless.
However, Savarkar has been quoted, and his views can be seen to be radically different from most of the people who's writings are in the book.
It is a book that needs to be read by many Indians, as they will see how far we seem to be drifting from the vision of many great Indians who lived during the early part of the last century, and who played a significant role in shaping India.
To end with the writings of JP Narain is masterly. I am forced to reassess my own views on JP and to put him on a very high pedestal indeed.
This is an excellent book. In many ways, it is timeless.
December 9, 2020
Indian Nationalism - This book defines the term Nationalism, Cultures & Patriotism through the context of our prominent leaders (Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Allama Iqbal, Bipin Chandra Pal, Sri Aurobindo, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, B. R. Ambedkar) and what they meant and sought about these terms.
Are you an anti-national if you criticize or question the government? These are the question you would seek to find the answers to in this read. Definitely a fact prevailing and interesting read.
Are you an anti-national if you criticize or question the government? These are the question you would seek to find the answers to in this read. Definitely a fact prevailing and interesting read.
August 31, 2022
A great book that explains the reader on What is Nationalism regarding to various Freedom fighters like Ambedkar, Bose, Tilak, Sri Aurobindo.
It defines on how different leaders with various background defined the nationalism by picking out extracts of their work author tries to put a meaning or an understanding of Indian Nationalism for the readers.
Its good book to read on the topic
It defines on how different leaders with various background defined the nationalism by picking out extracts of their work author tries to put a meaning or an understanding of Indian Nationalism for the readers.
Its good book to read on the topic
Want to read
October 26, 2019This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2019
An interesting collection of perspectives from earlier visionary leaders of pre- and post-Independence India.
December 30, 2025
unlike any entries by professor Irfan habib on left leaning or communist writing this book just gives u lean history of nationalism from gwalakar to iqbal ,irrespective of religious influence or any communist influence great collection of essays in the pure need of time where nationalism grows like fires and shows patriotism in a differnt endeavour
June 26, 2022
With the cacophony around the idea of 'nationalism', we ought to understand how the idea of nationalism evolved from the early 1900s to independence; the only anchor which can help us understand where we want to take the nation to...
The editor has taken a monumental effort by compiling essays on nationalism by - Tagore, Patel, Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Ranade, Surendranath Banerjee, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo, Maulana Madani, Iqbal, Ambedkar, Sarojini Naidu, Rajagopalachari, Maulana Azad, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, MN Roy and JP Narayan...
This compilation of essays on nationalism have been so wonderfully compiled at one place from stalwarts of India's independence struggle.
This is one hell of a collection. Exhaustive in its scope and an eye-opener. Breathtaking, if you care for the nation. And heartbreaking too.
The editor has taken a monumental effort by compiling essays on nationalism by - Tagore, Patel, Gandhi, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Ranade, Surendranath Banerjee, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo, Maulana Madani, Iqbal, Ambedkar, Sarojini Naidu, Rajagopalachari, Maulana Azad, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, MN Roy and JP Narayan...
This compilation of essays on nationalism have been so wonderfully compiled at one place from stalwarts of India's independence struggle.
This is one hell of a collection. Exhaustive in its scope and an eye-opener. Breathtaking, if you care for the nation. And heartbreaking too.
June 18, 2018
If you want to understand the views of Indian Leaders/intellectuals on what Nationalism is, have a read. It has views from across the spectrum.
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