This book presents three case studies on the construction and politics of religious identity in the Indian regions during the 19th century. It explores the leadership of three religions: the Hindus of Bengal, the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, and the Svetambara Jains of western India. Part 1 presents a discussion on Hinduism and focuses on Swami Vivekananda. Part 2 presents a discussion on Buddhism and focuses on Anagarika Dharmapala. Part 3 presents a discussion on Jainism and the history, archaeology, and politics of religion.
Keywords: India, religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sri Lanka
| Print publication date: 2002 | Print ISBN-13: 9780199252367 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: January 2005 | DOI:10.1093/019925236X.001.0001 |