Communalism & the Intelligentisa in Bihar, 1870-1930

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This volume gives an account of the rise of Hindu communalism in Bihar in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its relationship with the nationalist ideology, through the activities of the intelligentsia. It shows how a Hindi-speaking intelligentsia emerged, carrying with it notions of history, identity and visions of a new social order where caste, national and religious loyalties co-existed. While Hindu communal forces were unable to match the dominance of the Congress with its view of a composite nationalism, the presence of the former in the political spectrum was significant. Hitendra Patel narrates the Bihari intelligentsia s efforts to mobilise people and disseminate Hindu symbols and stereotypes, while trying to give legitimacy to a communal view of their nationalism. He discusses two movements that aroused widespread passions: one for the use of Hindi, replacing Urdu, in education and the law courts from the 1860s, and the other for cow protection . The growth of the Hindi press and anti-Bengali sentiments are outlined. Patel also analyses intra-community discourses on lower-caste inclusion, revealing divisions within the Hindu fold. Contents: Acknowledgements Introduction Nationalism and Communalism in Modern Bihar Rise and growth of the Intelligentsia in Bihar The Intelligentsia of Bihar: Anti-Bengali Campaign and the Hindi Movement The Hindi Press and the Creation of Communal Stereotypes The Intelligentsia and the Search for a New Order for National Regeneration The Intelligentsia, Their Socio-political Forums and Communalism Cow Protection Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Dr Patel teaches at the Department of History at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata