New Books in Islamic Studies Ankur Barua, "The Hindu Self and Its Muslim Neighbors: Contested Borderlines on Bengali Landscapes" (Lexington, 2022)
Jul 30, 2025
Ankur Barua, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, explores Hindu-Muslim dynamics in Bengal. He discusses how histories of amicability and antipathy shape contemporary identities, countering the notion of unbroken hostilities. The podcast dives into the literary contributions of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, highlighting their visions of cultural unity and religious humanism. Barua elaborates on socio-political influences transforming these relationships over centuries, revealing a rich tapestry of coexistence that challenges simplistic narratives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Musical Roots Inspire Scholarship
- Ankur Barua grew up in Assam where he noticed connections between Hindu devotional music and Indo-Islamic music styles.
- This childhood experience inspired his scholarly interest in Hindu-Muslim cultural synthesis in Bengal.
Bengali Language Bridges Divides
- Hindu identity in Bengal evolved through complex interactions with Muslim rulers and Persianized elites.
- Bengali language formed a shared cultural thread heavily infused with Sanskrit and Persian influences.
Hindu Self's Dual Visions
- The Hindu self has two competing visions: austerity rooted in strict boundaries and abundance emphasizing universal spiritual connection.
- These visions coexist and create an uneasy tension shaping Hindu-Muslim relations in Bengal.
