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The Bible and the Making of Modern India

by Vishal Mangalwadi

A Bible-centered interpretation of India’s modern history

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A Bible-centered interpretation of India’s modern history

Vishal Mangalwadi frames the book around a contested historical question: how did the idea and name of “India” take shape, and what role did the Bible play in the making of the modern nation? The description points to changing European uses of the term, from the voyages associated with Columbus and Vasco da Gama to the formation of the English and Dutch East India Companies. Presented as the first book in a series, it advances a religious interpretation of India’s development and places that account in tension with Hindu political and secular historical perspectives. The subject is therefore both the history of India’s name and the debate over how religious ideas figure in national history.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in interpretations of India’s historical development through a Christian perspective.
  • Readers exploring debates about religion, nationalism, and historical narratives in South Asia.

Themes

India’s name and national identityThe Bible and nation-buildingReligion and historical interpretationEuropean engagement with South Asia

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Some politicians want to change the name "India." They are embarrassed by the fact that the name and the idea of "India" came from the Bible.

 

In 1492, Columbus sailed and failed to find the sea route to "India." Vasco da Gama reached Calicut (Kerala) in 1497, to learn that no native called his land, India. The British and the Dutch established their East India Companies in 1600 and 1602 in order to trade with Indonesia [Indian Asia]! Back then, not even the Europeans thought of the Mogul Empire as "India."

 

This book is first in a series that explains how the Bible created modern India. That fact is as unpalatable to Hindu politicians as to secular historians. They consider the Bible to be discarded childish stories: How could it possibly create, build and sustain great nations?

 

Author Info: In 1980 after threatening to murder philosopher VISHAL MANGALWADI for organizing a public prayer meeting for the victims of a hail storm a police officer threw him in jail. In 1987, Vishal was an eye-witness to a gathering of about 200,000 people demanding legalization of widow-burning (Sati) as a sacred Hindu tradition.These experiences triggered Dr. Mangalwadi's research into the creation of modern India and several of his 27 books. His work has earned him Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Distinguished National Service Award as well as the US Presidential Medal for a life-time of voluntary service.

 

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