Growth of Hindu Nationalism in India (1858-1947)

    In the 21st century, where the rest of the world is progressing, not in terms of economics and technology but ideologically, India is sweeping towards the deep pits of guant nationalism. But this is not something abrupt. It is a phenomenon that began after the complete disintegration of the Mughal Empire. In this write-up, we will inspect and explore Hindu nationalism and the factors that contributed to it.

    Before delving deep into the evolution of Hindu nationalism in India, first we will understand Hindu nationalism. Hindu nationalism is a political ideology that promotes the idea of making India more Hindu-centric. The belief is that Hinduism is the primary defining characteristic of Indian identity and that the state should be structured based on Hindu principles.

    The elements of Hindu nationalism include:

1. The idea that Hinduism is the religion that has been practised in India the longest and that has the greatest level of authenticity.
2. The notion that Hinduism encompasses a way of life, beyond being merely a religion.
3. There is a belief that Hinduism is being threatened by other religions, such as Islam and Christianity.
4. The conviction that the state should make an effort to preserve and advance Hindu culture and values.
5. The idea that India ought to have a Hindu population that predominates in its population.

    The evolution of Hindu nationalism in India during the period spanning from 1858 to 1947 was a multifaceted and intricate process that encompassed a diverse range of factors and dimensions.

    The emergence of Hindu nationalism in India can be attributed to the period of British colonialism in India. The British colonialists employed the strategy of divide and rule in order to sustain their control over India. By showing favouritism towards one group over the other, they caused a division between the Hindus and Muslims. The perceived Muslim dominance resulted in the rise of Hindu nationalism as a response. The British introduced communal electorates, which exacerbated the division between the two communities.

    Besides, the waning of the Mughal Empire resulted in a resurgence of fascination in Hindu culture and customs. Hindus started seeking inspiration from their cultural heritage and discovered a diverse and lively culture that filled them with pride. The resurgence of Hindu culture played a significant role in promoting the expansion of Hindu nationalism. The decline of the Mughal Empire resulted in a power vacuum in India, providing an opportunity for Hindu nationalists to assert themselves. Hindu nationalists contended that safeguarding Hindus from the danger of Muslim rule was solely their responsibility, and as a result, they initiated the process of arranging and rallying support.

    Additionally, Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875, which was one of the earliest forms of Hindu nationalism. The Arya Samaj aimed to revive Vedic Hinduism and disavowed several practices of later Hinduism, including caste discrimination and idol worship. The Arya Samaj played a significant role in the Swadeshi movement, advocating for the use of Indian-made products and the avoidance of British goods.

    Furthermore, the rise of the Hindu Mahasabha, which was founded in 1915, was another significant development in the growth of Hindu nationalism. The Hindu Mahasabha was established in 1915 with the primary objective of representing the concerns of conservative Hindus both during the British Raj and within the Indian National Congress. The Hindu Mahasabha believed that Indian nationalism should be synonymous with Hindu nationalism. The emphasis on Hindu identity could have negative effects not only on religious minorities but also on linguistic minorities, including Hindus who value their native language as much as their religion. The ideology of fascism, which was gaining popularity in Europe at the time, also had an impact on the Hindu Mahasabha.

    The rise of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims also contributed to the growth of Hindu nationalism. Religious disputes often triggered the violence, but the British policy of divide and rule worsened the situation. The British intentionally emphasized religious distinctions to undermine the Indian independence movement. The Vellore riots that occurred between 1930 and 1931 were a sequence of communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims. On June 8, 1930, the initial communal riots occurred due to a confrontation between a group of Muslims who were leading a Muharram procession and Hindu worshippers at a temple. A member of the procession allegedly made an offensive gesture towards the Hindu deity at the temple, which was claimed to be the reason for the outbreak. After the riot, a small conflict occurred between Christians and Muslims in Udayandiram, North Arcot. There were concerns about a potential riot in Madras city, prompting increased security measures throughout the Madras Presidency.

    A communal riot occurred in Vellore for the second time in 1931. The incident occurred when a procession of Indian National Congress members clashed with a Muslim procession celebrating Milad-un-Nabi. A group of more than 200 Hindus reportedly attempted to set fire to the residence of Muslim leader Janab Abdul Jabbar, who is accused of inciting the rioters. However, the house was ultimately spared from destruction. In August 1931, a third riot occurred during a Hindu festival.

    In the 1940s, as India was approaching independence, the rise of Hindu nationalism reached its pinnacle. The Hindu Mahasabha and other Hindu nationalist organizations advocated for a state with a Hindu majority and were against the division of India into India with a Hindu majority and Pakistan with a Muslim majority. The partition of India resulted in extensive violence, with an estimated death toll of over a million people.

    The issue of the growth of Hindu nationalism in India has been a topic of controversy. There are individuals who contend that this ideology poses a risk to the peace and stability of India.
The ideology of Hindu nationalism poses a threat to the principles of secularism. India is a secular nation, and there are concerns among some that Hindu nationalism may pose a risk to this secularism. Hindu nationalism discriminates against minorities. Accusations have been made against Hindu nationalists for discriminating against minority groups, including Muslims and Christians.

    Some people believe that Hindu nationalism is a valid way of expressing Indian nationalism. Hinduism is facing a threat from other religions. Religious violence has been on the rise in India in recent years. Some Hindus perceive a threat to their religion from other religions, including Islam and Christianity. It is essential to safeguard Hinduism from the potential danger of Islamization.

    In fine, it can be stated that between 1858 and 1947, Hindu nationalism in India experienced various factors, including British colonialism, the decline of the Mughal Empire, the rise of the Arya Samaj, and some other. The growth of Hindu nationalism in India has been a topic of controversy, with some arguing it poses a threat to secularism and discriminates against minorities. In fine, it can be stated that between 1858 and 1947, Hindu nationalism in India experienced various factors, including British colonialism, the decline of the Mughal Empire, the rise of the Arya Samaj, and some other. The growth of Hindu nationalism in India has been a topic of controversy, with some arguing it poses a threat to secularism and discriminates against minorities.