Harold Coward (Ed.) - Indian Critiques of Gandhi
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Indian Critiques of Gandhi (Suny Series in Religious Studies) Paperback – October 23, 2003
by Harold Coward (Editor)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating
Through examinations of Gandhi's critics, both individuals and groups, this book shows the complexity of Indian society and opinion at the time of the Indian Independence Movement.
Although Gandhi has been the subject of hundreds of books and an Oscar-winning film, there has been no sustained study of his engagement with major figures in the Indian Independence Movement who were often his critics from 1920–1948. This book fills that gap by examining the strengths and weaknesses of Gandhi's contribution to India as evidenced in the letters, speeches, and newspaper articles focused on the dialogue/debate between Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Annie Besant, and C. F. Andrews. The book also covers key groups within India that Gandhi sought to incorporate into his Independence Movement—the Hindu Right, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs—and analyzes Gandhi's ambiguous stance regarding the Hindi-Urdu question and its impact on the Independence struggle.
“…a valuable contribution to the study of Gandhi and Indian nationalism. Indian Critiques confirms the pluralism of Indian opinion that existed in the pre-Independence decades and, in fact, evinces the basis of the future pluralistic nation.” — Canadian Journal of History
“…a useful volume for any course on Gandhi and modern Indian religion and society.” — Religious Studies Review
"Too many books on Gandhi give the impression that he was a solitary hero who had no critics or allies. This book places Gandhi in context, that is, the context of his contemporaries and peers in the struggle for Indian independence, adding new insights and raising new questions. This is an important work." — Fred Dallmayr, author of Beyond Orientalism: Essays on Cross-Cultural Encounter
Contributors include Robert D. Baird, Harold Coward, Joy Dixon, Timothy Gorringe, Hussein Keshani, Julius Lipner, Roland E. Miller, Robert N. Minor, Ronald Neufeldt, Daud Rahbar, T. S. Rukmani, and Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh.
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"Too many books on Gandhi give the impression that he was a solitary hero who had no critics or allies. This book places Gandhi in context, that is, the context of his contemporaries and peers in the struggle for Indian Independence, adding new insights and raising new questions. This is an important work."
From the Back Cover
Although Gandhi has been the subject of hundreds of books and an Oscar-winning film, there has been no sustained study of his engagement with major figures in the Indian Independence Movement who were often his critics from 1920-1948. This book fills that gap by examining the strengths and weaknesses of Gandhi's contribution to India as evidenced in the letters, speeches, and newspaper articles focused on the dialogue/debate between Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Annie Besant, and C. F. Andrews. The book also covers key groups within India that Gandhi sought to incorporate into his Independence Movement-the Hindu Right, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs-and analyzes Gandhi's ambiguous stance regarding the Hindi-Urdu question and its impact on the Independence struggle.
About the Author
Harold Coward is Emeritus Professor of History and Fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. He is the author or editor of many books, including most recently Yoga and Psychology: Language, Memory, and Mysticism, also published by SUNY Press.
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Book Tracy
4.0 out of 5 stars A good book on GandhiReviewed in the United States on March 28, 2010
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Most books on Gandhi are extremely flattering and are based on only one point of view....i.e. Gandhi was a saint who brought freedom to India. This idea is one that needs to be revised. Gandhi was no saint and he has committed enough mistakes that have resulted in the present sorry state of India. Also, Gandhi, credit to his charisma, only appealed to the baser lazy self in the Indian people which has resulted in the lethargy of the country. It is thanks to the non-gandhians in Indian society that we are developing at such a fast pace!It has also been documented that the main reason for India's independence was not Gandhi but Subhash Chandra Bose and his INA.
Overall, this book presents a well needed critique of Gandhi from different people, from large religious and political groups as well as other famous personalities involved in the freedom struggle. It is a recommended read for anyone who is interested in Gandhi since it gives a refreshingly different perspective from people who actually lived in the same era!
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