The Continent of Circe: Difference between revisions
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The book argues against the [[pacifism|"pacifist"]] theory of India as being a peace loving nation further cemented by the principles of [[nonviolence]] preached by [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Gandhi]] in his 30–40 year political career. The author holds a different view and points to what he sees as an inherent love for violence in Hindus stretching right from [[Ashoka|Emperor Ashoka]] (exemplified with the [[Kalinga War|battle of Kalinga]]) to the [[Gupta Empire|Imperial Guptas]], until the time India was invaded by [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] in the early 15th century. |
The book argues against the [[pacifism|"pacifist"]] theory of India as being a peace loving nation further cemented by the principles of [[nonviolence]] preached by [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Gandhi]] in his 30–40 year political career. The author holds a different view and points to what he sees as an inherent love for violence in Hindus stretching right from [[Ashoka|Emperor Ashoka]] (exemplified with the [[Kalinga War|battle of Kalinga]]) to the [[Gupta Empire|Imperial Guptas]], until the time India was invaded by [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] in the early 15th century. |
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In this book the author says that the Indians (or at least a majority of them) are descendants of the Aryans who originally came from the plains of lower Europe. Having stated this he then turns to describe how the heat and humidity of the new home of the Aryans began to change their behavior and how much a colonial British officer resembled those people in his transformation in the heat of the subcontinent. |
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The focal point of the book is that every major Hindu king/dynasty has followed the path of war to secure and capture new domains and violence is very much a part of life of Indian society. This is further corroborated by historical evidence as can be seen in [[Indian epic poetry|epics]] like the [[Mahabharata]], [[Ramayana]], the poems of [[Samudragupta]] etc. which gives graphic descriptions of wars fought on a colossal scale. |
The focal point of the book is that every major Hindu king/dynasty has followed the path of war to secure and capture new domains and violence is very much a part of life of Indian society. This is further corroborated by historical evidence as can be seen in [[Indian epic poetry|epics]] like the [[Mahabharata]], [[Ramayana]], the poems of [[Samudragupta]] etc. which gives graphic descriptions of wars fought on a colossal scale. |
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Revision as of 19:53, 25 August 2012
| Author | Nirad C. Chaudhuri |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Analysis of Indian society in the early 20th century from historical, sociological and cultural perspective |
| Genre | autobiographical,non fiction |
| Publisher | Jaico Books |
Publication date | 1965 |
| Publication place | India |
Published in English | 1965 |
| Media type | book |
| Preceded by | A Passage to England (1959) |
| Followed by | The Intellectual in India (1967) |
The Continent of Circe is a 1965 book of essays written by Indian author Nirad C. Chaudhuri. It won the Duff Cooper Prize. In this book, Chaudhuri discusses Indian society from a socio-psychological perspective. It has been described[by whom?] as one of the most brilliant display of command over a nations heartbeat by understanding the pulse of its natives, in this case Hindus who form 80% of the population of India.
In this collection of essays Nirad Chaudhari comments on Hindu society from prehistoric times to modern India post independence in 1947, described as displaying a militaristic attitude, which, the author states, is a way of life in India from time immemorial.
The author gives an account of various anthropological subgroups dominating the Indian subcontinent and inherent struggles between classes, in society etc. right from the immigration of Aryans to later settlements of Huns in western India.
The book argues against the "pacifist" theory of India as being a peace loving nation further cemented by the principles of nonviolence preached by Gandhi in his 30–40 year political career. The author holds a different view and points to what he sees as an inherent love for violence in Hindus stretching right from Emperor Ashoka (exemplified with the battle of Kalinga) to the Imperial Guptas, until the time India was invaded by Mughals in the early 15th century.
The focal point of the book is that every major Hindu king/dynasty has followed the path of war to secure and capture new domains and violence is very much a part of life of Indian society. This is further corroborated by historical evidence as can be seen in epics like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, the poems of Samudragupta etc. which gives graphic descriptions of wars fought on a colossal scale.
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