Covers nationalism and Rabindranath tagore of nationalism

1. Unit 6 Nationalism
Kamlesh Singh

2. • In recent years, nationalism in India has witnessed a gradual shift from multiculturalism,
inclusive and fraternal model to the European idea of nationalism which has a more ethnic
distinctiveness bias.
• This notion ofeuropean nationalism sits at the polar opposite end to what was envisaged by
the founding fathers of the Indian constitution.
Europe Idea Of Nationalism :-
• Evolved During the French Revolution
• sense of ethnic distinctiveness and the desire to preserve it.
• basis of the formation of many nation-states
- generated by creating a feeling of ours by finding an external enemy with in its territory to
be despised as the "other.“

3. Definition
• Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a
nation or nation-state and holds that such obligations outweigh other individual or
group interests.
• Nationalism is a powerful force in the world but it is difficult to arrive at
agreement regarding the definition of terms like nation or nationalism.
Nationalism has emerged as one of the most compelling political creeds which has
helped to shape history, During the last two centuries or more.

4. India’s model Of Nationalism
• Unlike Europe, nationalism in India has been the fallout of anti-colonialism.
• discarding the dominance of the rigid Hindu - Brahmanical system that was prevalent in
India, Indian nationalism envisages in establishing inter-faith tolerance and pluralism.
• Pluralistic idea is depicted from Mahatma Gandhi's notion of independent India
• In the last two centuries, nationalism has emerged as the most powerful political force to
shape the history of countries.It takes centuries to build a nation but only a few years to
destroy it and it is the feeling of nationalism that binds the country and its people in one
thread of Unity. To build a nation people have a sense of belongingness and belief. They
must have a common history and must have a shared political ideals. Common political
thoughts is the most important factor. For example, one community believes in autocracy
and the other community believes in democracy, they never share a feeling of
belongingness and sense of unity.

5. • In the last two centuries, nationalism has emerged as the most powerful political force to
shape the history of countries.
It takes centuries to build a nation but only a few years to destroy it and it is the feeling of
nationalism that binds the country and its people in one thread of Unity.
• To build a nation people have a sense of belongingness and belief.
• They must have a common history and most importantly; they must have a shared
political ideals.
• Common political thoughts is the most important factor. For example, one community
believes in autocracy and the other community believes in democracy, they never share a
feeling of belongingness and sense of unity.
• Nationalism can be based on religion, race, pride, anger or any emotional factor which is
present in the socio-cultural environment of a nation.

6. Tagore Idea Of Nationalism
I will never allow patrotism to truimph over humanity as long as I live ; Humanity
should be above .

7. • A collection of his speeches on nationalism was published in 1917 with the same title and
one of the speeches in it denotes Tagore’s unconventional, integrated views on Indian
nationalism
• Nationalism as an idea is criticse by rabindranath tagore ( criticse here is an constructive
criticsm)
• He was against the collonial rule and have asserted India’s Right to Independence because
he felt that british administartion in colonies were not having the idea of upholding the
dignity of the human relationship ; an idea which was otherwise cherished by the british
civilization
• Tagore critique of nationalism :-
• He has made a clear distinction betwen opposing western Imperalism and rejecting
western civilization while India should be rooted in their own culture they shouldn’t resist
learninf free form abroad
• Eg:- Don’t Buy goods form foregin state but don’t reject chinese idea of making goods

8. • He was very critical of the narrow expression of the nationalism that he found in the work
part of the independence movement
• He was affraid that agression of west in favour of what looked the Indian tradation was not
only limiting on itself . it could easily turn hoistility to other influence
• Nationalism was based on the conflict and conquest not on coperation He belived that
Imperalism was an outcome of nationalism and cold blooded terrorism
• Tagore deep idea has made him relaise the danger of aggresive nationalism the nation of
status into demi god
• Tagore was deeply concern with the form of nationalism that India acquired durin g the
fredeom struugle because India being a diverse nation . It cannot act as a unifying force
this will also create many diffrent political movement which will unwillingly weaken the
anti colonial strugle .