Manu Pillai, "Gods, Guns and Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity" (Allen Lane, 2025)
Mar 6, 2025
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Manu Pillai, a prominent historian and author, dives into the complexities of Hindu identity throughout history. He explores how Hinduism evolved amidst colonial encounters and interactions with missionaries, illuminating the cultural shifts in Goa under Portuguese rule. Pillai discusses key figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who advocated for reform, and delves into the intricate ties between caste, nationalism, and modern Hindu identity. His insights reveal how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary understandings of Hinduism.
The definition of Hinduism evolved through history, influenced by cultural practices and colonial interactions, illustrating its complex identity formation.
European missionary encounters led to significant misunderstandings of Hindu practices, prompting Indian intellectuals to redefine and assert Hindu identity amidst colonial pressures.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a crucial era for modern Hindu identity, driven by reformers who intertwined religious beliefs with emerging nationalism.
Deep dives
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Historical Perspectives on Hinduism
The complexities surrounding the definition of Hinduism reflect its long historical evolution and the diverse cultural practices within India. Unlike religions founded on central texts, Hinduism is characterized by a flexible framework that incorporates various sects and traditions, resulting in a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices. This complexity is illustrated through the emergence and the adoption of the term 'Hinduism' during the 18th century, which was initially coined by foreign observers yet embraced by the Indian populace as part of their identity. The metaphor of a river is used to describe Hinduism's development, flowing from multiple streams and continuously reshaping itself while maintaining a connection to its roots.
Encountering Colonialism
The interaction between European powers and Indian societies during colonial times led to significant shifts in the understanding and practice of Hinduism. Early European missionaries misinterpreted Hindu rituals, often labeling them as satanic due to their unfamiliar cultural frameworks, leading to conflicts over religious identity. In response, local intellectuals and leaders began to redefine Hinduism, drawing from its scriptures to assert its validity while resisting Western ideologies. This tension highlighted how colonial influences not only challenged traditional beliefs but also prompted Hindu thinkers to reevaluate their cultural narratives and identities.
Shaping Modern Hindu Identity
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were pivotal for the emergence of a modern Hindu identity, especially through the efforts of key figures such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Dayananda Saraswati. Roy sought to reform Hinduism by advocating for a return to the intellectual core of the Upanishads, aiming to purify the religion from practices viewed as superstitious. Conversely, Dayananda emphasized the need for a more vigorous and unified response to colonial pressures and encouraged communal identity through the Arya Samaj movement. This period laid the groundwork for addressing not only religious identity but also socio-political issues, setting the stage for contemporary discussions around nationalism and Hindu identity.
Hindu Nationalism and Identity Politics
The intersection of Hinduism and nationalism became increasingly prominent as Indian leaders navigated their identity under colonial rule. Figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak capitalized on religious symbols and festivals to mobilize support for anti-British sentiment, intertwining cultural and religious identity with political motivations. Savarkar's definition of Hindutva further solidified this connection by emphasizing ethnicity and territorial allegiance as defining characteristics of Hindu identity, independent of religious practice. Consequently, this political framing has persisted, influencing modern governance and societal dynamics in India, especially in the context of contemporary Hindu nationalist movements.
For centuries, that question was particularly thorny, both for local Indians and for colonial outsiders. People inside and outside the country tried to define what Hinduism was. Missionaries grappled with Hindu practices, finding both similarities and dangerous differences with their own Christian faith. The East India Company adopted several Hindu rituals to keep the peace, much to the chagrin of officials back in London.
And, increasingly, Indians began to define what Hinduism meant as part of a broader political awakening.
Manu Pillai is the author of the critically acclaimed The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore (HarperCollins: 2016), Rebels Sultans: The Deccan from Khilji to Shivaji (Juggernaut: 2018), The Courtesan, the Mahatma, and the Italian Brahmin: Tales from Indian History (Context: 2019) and False Allies: India's Maharajahs in the Age of Ravi Varma (Juggernaut: 2021). Former chief of staff to Shashi Tharoor MP, Pillai is also a winner of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar (2017) and holds a PhD in history from King’s College London. His essays and writings on history have appeared in various national and international publications.
