| The book is a systematic attempt at understanding and interpreting India
as a unique mosaic of pluralism. Countless parts and processes have contributed to the
making of contemporary India. This is an attempt to throw light on them so as to
comprehend the complexities involved in building a modern federal nation. India's
continental polity, subsumes gigantic pluralities of regions, languages, religions and
ethnicities. With such a formidable size, it has also a depth of history - a continuing
uninterrupted civilization spanning over 5000 years.
The study presents new formulations, different from the conventional assumptions. It
highlights five core themes of vital contemporary relevance -- nation-building process in
South Asia and national identity; dimensions of pluralism; critical aspects of the Muslim
reality in India; looming challenges of communalism, discord, and violence; and problems
of building a secular polity and national integration. The need to emphasis the values of
composite culture was probably never greater than it is today and this is exactly what the
author with erudition, rationality and patriotic passion, has tried to project in
Bewildered India. This should stimulate more systematic research and promote positive
inter-religious dialogue. The Indian canvas needs the colour of love, not that of blood,
for it to shine as a portrait of co-existence, compassion, humanism and collective
prosperity.
Har-Anand Publications, New Delhi: 1994
ISBN No. 81-241-0189-X Rs.350/-
Contents :
Identity and Pluralism
1. Political Mosaic of the Contemporary World
2. The Concept of Nation: Its European origin and its Third World context.
3. Nation-building in South Asia.
4. Socio-Ethnic dimensions of India's Pluralism.
5. The Context of Socio-Economic Transformation.
Muslims
6. Indian Muslims: Dimensions and Problems.
7. Pitribhumi-Punyabhumi: Muslim Perception of India.
8. Towards understanding Hinduism: Reflections of some eminent Muslims.
Communalism
9. Communalism: Its origin, Charactor, ramifications and challenges.
10. Violence and Communal riots in India.
11. The Ayodhya Episode: Communal belligerence.
Secular Polity
12. Problems and Aspects of Secular Polity in India.
13. The Imperative of National Integration.
14. The Heritage of Jawaharlal Nehru.
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