Kenneth Jones begins with an overview of the socio-political
climate of 20th century India, and identifies three crucial
modifications that affected the way socio-political movements functioned,
succeeded, or failed. Later, he identifies five
socio-religious movement that began in 19th century and extended
into the 20th century: Ramakrishna Mission and Math, The Radhasoami Satsang, Arya Samaj, Ahmadiyas, Swaminarayan Guru of Kerala
First, the secular nationalism introduced by Indian National
Congress that came in waves of Gandhian movements. Second, is a contrasting
communalism and severe religious conflicts that arose as a counter-design to
nationalist peak. The third major modification in Indian society was th
allocation of sepereate electorates to muslim population. The census (as
Anderson has theorized) defined religious communities, counted them, and
presented them as social and economic units. He identifies this constitutional
reform as the factor that stimulated and reinforced a new form of political
institution. These led to the formation of the first ‘religio-political’ groups
in India. Muslim league was founded on the basis of Muslim nationalism, and
expressed a concept of Pakistan. Hindu Mahasabha was formed under the
leadership Savarkar and expounded a Hindu nationalism opposing secular
nationalism of INC. Similarly, Sikhs too moved towards their own religious
nationalism. Jones argues that while in 19th century most new ideas
and symbols would turn into some form religion, in the 20th century,
the ideologies that travelled from the west.
Ramakrishna Math and Mission:
-Expanded across India and to the US after Vivekanada’s
death.
- Managed by Swami Brahmananada and the trustee board of
Belur Math
- Often the mission carried out local initiatives without
involvement from the central board. But the activities of mission and math
often overlapped.
- Spread to US cities through Vedanta society – but the role
here was different since there was no social service involved – only teaching
of Vedanta doctrines.
