Hindu nationalism has been collectively referred to as the expression of social and political thought, based on the native spiritual and cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent. "Hindu nationalism" is a simplistic translation of Hindū Rāṣṭravād. It is better described as "Hindu polity".[1]
The native thought streams became highly relevant in Indian history when they helped form a distinctive identity about the Indian polity[2] and provided a basis for questioning colonialism.[3] These also inspired Indian nationalists during the independence movement based on armed struggle,[4] coercive politics,[5] and non-violent protests.[6] They also influenced social reform movements and economic thinking in India.[5]
^Peter van der Veer, Hartmut Lehmann, Nation and religion: perspectives on Europe and Asia, Princeton University Press, 1999 p. 90
^Li Narangoa, R. B. Cribb Imperial Japan and National Identities in Asia, 1895–1945, Published by Routledge, 2003 p. 78
^ abBhatt, Chetan, Hindu Nationalism: Origins, Ideologies and Modern Myths, Berg Publishers (2001), ISBN978-1-85973-348-6. P. 55
^Vidya Dhar Mahajan; Savitri Mahajan (1971). Constitutional history of India, including the nationalist movement (6th ed.). Delhi: S. Chand. pp. 27–38.