CDS 2019 (I)

Post-Colonial Social Theory

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which Indian social theorist had argued that the idea of a homogenised Hinduism was constructed through the 'cultural arrogance of post-enlightenment Europe?'

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept This question explores the 'Post-colonial' critique of how Indian religious identity was re-defined during the British colonial encounter.

Explanation Ashis Nandy argues in his works (like *The Intimate Enemy*) that Hinduism was historically a fluid, pluralistic tradition. It was the colonial gaze, driven by Enlightenment rationality and 'cultural arrogance', that tried to categorize and 'homogenise' it into a single, unified religion like Christianity.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Option A is correct. Nandy is famous for examining the psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism on the Indian self.

Logic 2: While Chatterjee (B) and Kothari (D) are also theorists, this specific phrase regarding 'cultural arrogance' and the 'construction' of Hinduism is a hallmark of Nandy's critique.

Active Recall

Question

What is 'homogenisation' in the context of religion?

Answer

It is the process of ignoring diverse local traditions and sects to create a standardized, uniform version of a religion.

Core Insight

Nandy suggests that modern communalism is partly a result of this colonial attempt to turn a diverse set of practices into a rigid, singular identity.

Which Indian social theorist had argued that the idea of a homogenised Hinduism was constructed through the 'cultural arrogance of post-enlightenment Europe?'

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

Practice Navigation