Was Hinduism Invented? (Hardcover)

Brian K. Pennington

ISBN 10: 0195166558 / ISBN 13: 9780195166552

Published by Oxford University Press Inc, New York, 2005

About this Item

Hardcover. Drawing on a large body of previously untapped literature, including documents from the Church Missionary Society and Bengali newspapers, Brian Pennington offers a fascinating portrait of the process by which "Hinduism" came into being. He argues against the common idea that the modern construction of religion in colonial India was simply a fabrication of Western Orientalists and missionaries. Rather, he says, it involved the active agency and engagement of Indianauthors as well, who interacted, argued, and responded to British authors over key religious issues such as image-worship, sati, tolerance, and conversion. Drawing on a body of literature, including documents from the Church Missionary Society and Bengali newspapers, this book offers a portrait of the process by which Hinduism came into being. It argues against the common idea that the modern construction of religion in colonial India was simply a fabrication of Western Orientalists and missionaries. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780195166552

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Was Hinduism Invented? (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, New York
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195166558
• ISBN 13: 9780195166552
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Drawing on a large body of previously untapped literature, including documents from the Church Missionary Society and Bengali newspapers, Brian Pennington offers a fascinating portrait of the process by which "Hinduism" came into being. He argues against the common idea that the modern construction of religion in colonial India was simply a fabrication of Western Orientalists and missionaries. Rather, he says, it involved the active agency and engagement of Indian authors as well, who interacted, argued, and responded to British authors over key religious issues such as image-worship, sati, tolerance, and conversion.

About the Author

Brian K. Pennington is Associate Professor of Religion at Maryville College in Tennessee.