The Many Meanings of Indian Nationalism
The Many Meanings of Indian Nationalism Nationalism, as how we look upon the term today, saw its beginning in the 18th-19th centuries in the European political and cultural landscape. It was at this time that the nation states of Germany, France etc came into being. A common language or a common belief system or a common ethnicity provided adequate background for the formation of such nations. This sort of a nationalism is totally an alien concept when it comes to India. And the beginning of such a nationalism in India can be seen sprouting with the spread of the Indian national movement to overthrow the foreign yoke. So, what was the basis of our nationalism when 'India' as a nation state came into existence integrating the landmass extending from Kashmir to Kanyakumari (mainland) and from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat? A common language,of course, was not the factor that brought the people of India together because India is home to an array of diverse languages. Neith...