In her book, doniger retells hindu stories and provides snarky interpretations. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. An alternative history panders to an orthodox, bourgeois view of. Wendy doniger tries to remedy the enduring impression of a unified hinduism created in large part by the first british scholars of india. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. Hinduism the history of hinduism the history of hinduism in india can be traced to about 1500 bce. An alternative history and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. An alternative history, which was published in 2009. The history of hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. We will be happy to have you on board as a blogger, if you have the. Mar, 2014 there has been much handwringing in india about wendy donigers book, the hindus. An alternative history, the wild misconceptions that most americans have of hinduism need to be counteracted precisely by making americans aware of the richness and human depth of hindu texts and practices page 653. Hinduism under the mughals 1500 to 1700 ce the hindus.
This was the civilization of the northern soan river valley. Wendy doniger is a preeminent historian of religions. Wendy doniger, a professor of history of religion at university of chicago, is a prizewinning author of book, the hindus. I had written this for facebook, reproducing it here.
Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity. The early history of hinduism is difficult to date and hindus themselves tend to be more concerned with the substance of a story or text rather than its date. An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions, the hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds. Hinduism is widely practiced in south asia mainly in india and nepal. There is hue and cry by the selfappointed intelligentsia, free media and secularists on the decision of penguin books deciding to withdraw a book the hindus an alternative history by wendy doniger an american author. Evidence of hinduisms early antecedents is derived from archaeology, comparative philology, and comparative religion. This britishbrahmin version of hinduism one of the many invented traditions born around the world in the 18th and 19th centuries has continued to find many takers among semiwesternized hindus. An alternative history book online at best prices in india on. The author is reported to be a great researcher and her books have been acclaimed by some indian scholars the hindus an alternative history, krishna fondling breast. The hindus an alternative history by wendy doniger. An alternative history, as part of the uncommon core. Hinduism temple complexes although early temples in south india may have been made of disposable materials as early as the first few centuries of the common era, permanent temple structures appear about the 3rd and 4th centuries, as attested in early tamil literature. Full text of the hindus an alternative history by wendy doniger. An alternative history by wendy doniger of the university of chicago is really not a history at all.
Knipe tells a slightly different version of it, hinduism, 2. The history of hinduism in india can be traced to about 1500 bce. History of hinduism james mill 17731836, in his the history of british india 1817, distinguished three phases in the history of india, namely hindu, muslim and british civilisations. Wendy doniger is one of the foremost scholars of hinduism in the world. From the gupta period onward, hindu temples became larger and more prominent, and their architecture developed in. Scholars regard hinduism as a combination of different indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots.
Dinanath batra has armtwisted publisher penguin india into recalling and destroying american scholar wendy donigers book, the hindus. In the following discussion we will briefly examine the distortions that crept into the construction of indias religious history during the british rule, how the historians of those times ignored the fundamental similarities that existed among different native faiths, how it influenced the thinking of later generations of scholars, and what we can do to reconstruct an alternate view that. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Several books of each of those sorts exist, some of them quite good, which you might read alongside this one. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and hindus refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. It is widely accepted that hinduism is the oldest of the worlds religions, but there is no known historical figure credited with being its founder. Apr 11, 2018 it is widely accepted that hinduism is the oldest of the worlds religions, but there is no known historical figure credited with being its founder. An alternative history kindle edition by wendy doniger author visit amazons wendy doniger page. Around 500 bce, several new belief systems sprouted from hinduism, most significantly buddhism and jainism.
An archive of fiction, poetry, memoirs, polemical tracts sourced from magazines, newspapers, literary society newsletters, activist writings, no alphabet in sight might well be the alternative. Search the history of over 411 billion web pages on the internet. One story is about fusing the head of a brahmin woman onto the body of a dalit woman. Scholars and intellectuals across the board are critical and worried about penguins. The washington postan engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth, the hindus offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological. With immense skill wendy doniger illuminates those moments within the hindu tradition that resist forces that would standardize or establish a canon. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Part of my agenda in writing an alternative history is to show how much the groups that conventional wisdom says were oppressed and silenced and played no part in the development of the traditionwomen, pariahs oppressed castes, sometimes called untouchablesdid actually contribute to hinduism. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Dont miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher. This periodisation has been influential, but has also been criticised, for the misconceptions it has given rise to. Its different worldview and its tolerance for diversity in belief made it an attractive alternative to.
Hinduism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a charismatic leader, hinduism is simply the religion of the people of india, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. Many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated within a century. She does not seem to be much enamoured of the nomenclature hinduism, which is merely a poker game for her. The real reason wendy donigers book on hindus was banned in. East of eden is what was in ancient times the indus valley civilization and thats where cain ended up. Indologist kees bolle has observed that donigers approach lacks philosophical vigor that is. In particular, it provokes anxiety in those hindus who are sometimes called hindu nationalists, or the hindu right, or rightwing hindus. Wendy doniger speaks about hinduism and her upcoming book, the hindus. About hinduism this guide provides an introduction to databases, books and other resources relating to the hindu religion. Try searching these terms using the resources linked on this page. The hindus alternative history krishna fondling breasts. A sanskrit scholar, doniger is one of the most qualified authors to write about indian religions and culture.
Pdf the hindus an alternative history wendy doniger. Hinduism s roots are diverse and are likely a synthesis of various regional tribal beliefs. Hindus nowadays are diverse in their attitude to their own diversity, which inspires pride in some, anxiety in others. Since doniger does not follow the established canons of historiography, her book, the hindus cannot be called a work of history. Apr 26, 2009 wendy doniger tries to remedy the enduring impression of a unified hinduism created in large part by the first british scholars of india.
My own version of the history of the hindus could be used as a basic. Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity, not an insult. There has been much handwringing in india about wendy donigers book, the hindus. Full text of the hindus an alternative history by wendy. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account. Aug 24, 2009 the early history of hinduism is difficult to date and hindus themselves tend to be more concerned with the substance of a story or text rather than its date. A significant alternative view on the history of hinduism. Similarly, the history of hinduism suggests a creative tension between asceticism and sensuality, and yields a range of female. Hinduisms roots are diverse and are likely a synthesis of various regional tribal beliefs. Beginning with the prehindu indus valley civilisation and ending in the.
Mar 27, 2019 a significant alternative view on the history of hinduism. An alternative history quickly became a lightning rod for hindu anger. Sep 30, 2010 an engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions, the hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds. Its very difficult to recommend one book which will serve this purpose. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. An alternative history description dont miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher. Which are the best books on origin and history of hinduism. An alternative history is a book by american indologist, wendy doniger which the author describes as an alternative to the narrative of hindu. Although the name hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by british writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition. Feb 12, 2014 wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduism s complexity, not an insult vijay prashad penguins decision to destroy the hindus. The washington post an engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth, the hindus offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions. Assuming that hinduism means sanatan dharma for you, because the term hindu has very controversial meaning and origin. An alternative history differs from those books in several ways.
Her punch line is whether or not there really is a hinduism, there certainly are hindus 32. Hinduism the history of hinduism students britannica. May 18, 2015 wendy doniger speaks about hinduism and her upcoming book, the hindus. Sanatana dharma an alternative religious history of india. Unlike the usual, arid accounts of dynasties, wendy donigers double vision of hinduism is about women, merchants, lower castes, animals, spirits and, of course, dead male brahmins. Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity, not an insult vijay prashad penguins decision to destroy the hindus. An alternative history is a book by american indologist, wendy doniger which the author describes as an alternative to the narrative of hindu history that they tell.
It saddens me that one of the appeals of this book to american readers is the dropping of references to pop culture. Mar 17, 2015 the history of hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. An alternative history mircea eliade distinguished. With her inimitable insight and expertise doniger illuminates those moments within the. The book was initially published by viking penguin in 2009 and later in india by penguins indian subsidiary, penguin india. The earliest literary source for the history of hinduism is the rigveda, consisting of hymns that were composed chiefly during the last two or three centuries of. According to historians, the origin of hinduism dates back to 5,000 years or more. An alternative history book online at low prices in. Pdf the hindus an alternative history wendy doniger ripu. An alternative history from the worlds largest community of readers. The real reason wendy donigers book on hindus was banned.
An alternative history, i doubt that americans who read this book without prior introduction to hinduism would come away with any admiration for hinduism. Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity, not an. Hinduism and history, hinduism and practice, hinduism and india, hinduism and beliefs, hinduism and america, hinduism and vedas. Hinduism is an umbrella under which different school. Hinduism temple complexes students britannica kids. It is towards countering the contemporary straitjacketing of hindu beliefs that she offers this alternative history.
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