Debating Nationalism: Aurobindo, Gandhi, Pal, Tagore And Savarkar

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Anil Dutta Mishra is a distinguished Gandhian scholar and writer. He started his career as Assistant Professor in the Department of Non-violence and Peace Studies, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan, became Deputy Director of National Gandhi Museum and Honorary Professor, Centre for Gandhian Philosophy and Human Development, Gayatri Vidya Parishad Degree College [Autonomous], Visakhapatnam and Professor Research, U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad. Presently, Treasurer IIPA, Delhi Regional Branch, New Delhi.

Mishra has held the post of General Secretary of Indian Society of Gandhian Studies, Alliance for Sarvodaya, Member Board of Studies, Nagpur and Punjab Universities and is Member of Gandhian Studies Centre of different colleges and universities across India sponsored by UGC. He is author of Reading Gandhi.

Prem Anand Mishra well established Gandhian scholar teaches at Department of Gandhian Studies and Peace Research Centre, Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad. He has contributed to the renowned Journal Gandhi Marg, Journal of Gandhian Studies and The Indian Journal of Political Science. His latest book is Hind Swaraj: A Deconstructive Reading.

This book deals with how Nationalism was debated in the early decades of the twentieth century India. The book focuses on the five texts of five nationalist thinkers written during the period of 1905 to 1923 and chronologically. these are: Sri Aurobindo's Bhawani Mandir (1905), Gandhi's Hind Swaraj (1909), Bipin Chandra Pal's The Spirit of Indian Nationalism (1910); Rabindranath Tagore's Nationalism (1917) and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's Essentials of Hindutva (1923).

The study shows that the themes that most prominently come up in these texts are: a particular essential nature of India in contrast to colonial Britain, notion of typical nature of Indian civilization, idea of nation as well as idea of India, and specific methods needed for solidarity among Indians. All these nationalist thinkers viewed these themes in their own fashion. Although, there were similarities among them on these issues, however underneath the treatment of these themes, there also exist serious differences in their thinking. These differences form multiple discourses. These discourses are not only the matter of past but they also provide substantial lessons for our present.

Nationalism is a modern phenomenon. Nationalism has been considered essential to "the establishment of a modern industrial society" and "the sole vision and rationale of political solidarity today". Nationalism gives legitimacy to the state, and inspires its citizens to feel an emotional attachment towards it. It can be a source of creativity in the arts, and enterprise in the economy. Its power to mobilise political activity is unsurpassed, especially in the vital activity of nation-building.2

The manifestations of nationalism are widespread and complex. Very large and contradictory literature on the subject, with works by philosophers, historians, sociologist, writers, activists, freedom-fighters and by political scientists is available, although, there is no integrated theory of the politics of nationalism in India. This is especially needed, as it is politics which gives the most powerful expression to nations and people. In fact nationalism is both an ideology and a form of behaviour. Nationalism is come back with vengeance. The Developed Nations have rejected globalization. We are living in the decay of lunacy, right wing extremism and violence. Humanity is taken a back seat in the name of nationalism and that is too of a particular type. Therefore, it is essential to debate nationalism in Indian context by different ideologues.

Two major dimensions need to be considered when analyzing nationalism. We must look at the ways in which nationalism both shapes and attempts to cope with the rise of the modern state; and because the study of nationalism cannot be limited to its political character, we have to also acknowledge fully the role nationalism plays as one of the major sources of identity for contemporary individuals.' Nationalism originated from the assumption that nations are the primary focus of political allegiance. The spread of nationalism has been the result of Europeanization and modernization of non-western and pre- modern societies. Its rise is linked to numerous phenomena, important among these are: "origins of popular sovereignty; the theory of government by the active 'consent' of the governed; the growth of secularism; the lessening of the older religious, tribal, clannish, or feudal loyalties; and, the spread of urbanization, industrialization and improved communications".

A Dictionary of Political Thought defines nationalism as "The sentiment and ideology of attachment to a nation and to its interests". Dictionary of Contemporary English defines nationalism as "desire by a group of people of the same race, origin, language etc. to form an independent country." In other words, love for your own country and the belief that it is better than any other country.

**Contents and Sample Pages**