Реферат: Hindu Revival Essay Research Paper Hindu revivalism

the violence on the Malabar coast was a covert attempt to enhance the political

influence of Muslims at the expense of the Hindu community. It was difficult for

many to conceive how a country comprised of 85% Hindus could be unable to defend

themselves in that situation. Many Hindus feared that similar outbreaks would

occur elsewhere, and these apprehensions fuelled revivalist sentiments. The

challenge from Islam in the early 1920s was viewed by many Hindus as a threat to

their self-esteem. The proliferation of Hindu sabhas, and other ?defensive?

Hindu associations, were reactions to the growing communal violence, the

increasing political articulation of Muslims, the cultural ?Islamization? of

the Muslim community, and the failure to achieve independence. Thus, this set

the stage for the emergence of the RSS within the historical setting of modern

India. The RSS?s discipline and ideological framework were shaped by Dr.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a medical doctor who had abandoned a potentially

lucrative practice to participate in the struggle against colonialism. As a

youth, Hedgewar was keenly interested in history and politics. During the early

1920s, Hedgewar became deeply engaged in Congress Party activities. At the 1920

annual Congress session in Nagpur, Gandhi had promised freedom within the year

through peaceful non-cooperation. Many including Hedgewar, decided to give the

experiment, in non-violent disobedience, a chance to prove its effectiveness.

The year 1921 ended without the promised swaraj. Gandhi called off the much

heralded non-cooperation campaign in early 1922, because a mob had killed a

number of policemen in the United Provinces. Hedgewar felt Gandhi had made a

serious tactical mistake. Hedgewar became increasingly disenchanted with Gandhi

and politics. (Malkani 10) The outbreak of communal rioting in 1923 caused

Hedgewar to question the previously attempted methods used to rid India of

colonial rule. The riots in his view, were the signs of a deeper social

problem?disunity among Hindus?that would have to be addressed if India were

to become independent. During this period of escalating Hindu-Muslim animosity,

Hedgewar began to develop the intellectual foundations of the RSS. A major