Martin Hříbek

Violence in Modern Indian Thought in the Mirror of World War II

Introduction

Violence in modern indian thought in the mirror of world war ii . Examines modern Indian thought on violence during World War II. Analyze philosophies of Gandhi, Aurobindo, and Golwalkar, from non-violence to Hindu nationalism.

Abstract

The turmoil at the end of the long 19th century and the aftermath of the World War I inspired many Indian political thinkers to reflect upon violence as a means of attaining statehood. Revolutionary violence brought about abrupt social transformation in Russia, while the breakdown of the Austro-Hungarian Empire enabled the formation of several new states. Meanwhile, Germany, the other major European power, was reduced to shambles. The contradictory possibilities which the above developments proffered to the cause of India’s independence shaped Indian debates on violence during the interwar period, finding their most acute expression in references to the emerging developments of the World War II. Focusing on Indian responses to the violence of the World War II, this paper analyses writings of some nationalist figures—primarily Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar—to examine how different philosophies such as non-violence, revolutionary struggle, and Hindu nationalism intersected with European wartime developments. These perspectives are framed as tensions between spiritual morality and pragmatic realpolitik.

Review

This paper proposes a compelling examination of how Indian political thought on violence, particularly as a means to achieve statehood, evolved in conversation with major European events, culminating in World War II. The abstract effectively sets the stage by highlighting the formative influence of the late 19th and early 20th-century geopolitical upheavals, specifically the Russian Revolution and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, on Indian nationalist discourse. The core strength lies in its intention to analyze the writings of prominent figures like Gandhi, Aurobindo Ghosh, and M.S. Golwalkar, representing distinct philosophies of non-violence, revolutionary struggle, and Hindu nationalism, through the lens of European wartime developments. The framing of these perspectives as a tension between spiritual morality and pragmatic realpolitik promises a rich and nuanced analytical framework. The chosen scope and focus are highly commendable. By concentrating on Indian responses to the specific violence of World War II, the paper offers a unique perspective on a crucial period in both global and Indian history. The selection of Gandhi, Aurobindo, and Golwalkar is particularly astute, as these figures encapsulate the diverse and often conflicting ideological currents within Indian nationalism concerning the use of force. Investigating how these diverse philosophies "intersected with European wartime developments" and how the "contradictory possibilities" of post-WWI Europe shaped these debates provides a fertile ground for original insights into the complex intellectual landscape of India's independence movement. This approach has the potential to significantly contribute to studies in intellectual history, postcolonial theory, and the global reception of modern warfare. To further strengthen the paper, it would be beneficial to explicitly delineate the methodology by which the "intersection" and "tensions" between these Indian philosophies and European events will be unpacked. While the abstract lists key figures, a brief indication of the specific textual examples or arguments from each thinker that will be foregrounded to illustrate their engagement with WWII developments would be helpful. Furthermore, while the three chosen figures are excellent, a subtle acknowledgment within the introduction that their views represent a significant, but not exhaustive, spectrum of Indian thought on violence during this period could add nuance, perhaps by briefly contextualizing them against other contemporary voices, even if those are not the paper's primary focus. This would reinforce the paper's contribution as a focused and insightful analysis rather than a comprehensive survey.

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