Nation Nationalism and social Structure in Ancient India

ISBN: 9788186921296
Year Of Publication: 2005
Edition: 1st
Pages : xxx, 433
Bibliographic Details : Appendices; Bibliography; Index
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: Decent Books
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 825

The concepts of nation and nationalism are generally considered as having their genesis in western modes of thought. However, in this book, Dr. Shiva Acharya attempts to show that the theories of nation and nationalism can be traced to the Vedic era on the basis of a painstaking study of the Vedic culture and civilization. The book analyses the social, political, civil and military, economic, religious and philosophical aspects of the Vedic culture to explore the origin of the concepts of rashtra (nation), motherland and rashtrabhakti (patriotism), parliaments, the notion of all-round development, democratic educational system, equality of peoples and economic growth for prosperity in Vedic times. Citing from the Vedas and other Vedic literature and a host of modern scholarly researches on the subject, it presents the salient features of the nation and nationalism theories as found in ancient Indian culture such as their stress on culture-based nationalism rather than political. It points out that these features have enabled India to continue with its past traditions and culture and emerge as a successful nation in modern times. The volume will prove indispensable to all students and scholars of Indology and general readers as it unravels the immense contributions of ancient Indian thought to ideas and philosophies that hold great sway in modern times.

Foreword
by Thaneswar Sharmah
Preface
Key to Transliteration
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Nationa and Nationalism
Rashtra as it is defined
Nation and Nationalism: Foreign View
Characteristics of Rashtra: A Vedic View
Geographical Evidences
Evolution of Rashtra
Patriotism or Rashtrabhakti
Importance of Organization and Unity
How this Rashtra came into Existence
Vedic Nationalism: Outside India
Difference between Rashtra and Rajya
2. Political Aspects States and Kingship
Types of States
Kingship
The King
3. Political Aspects: Parliaments
Sabha
Samiti
Vidatha: A Very Important Unit of Administration
4. Social Aspects (Varnashrama Vyavastha)
Varna Vyavastha
Ashrama Vyavastha
Importance of Ashramas
Brahmacaryashrama
Grihasthashrama
Vanaprasthashrama
Samnyasashrama
5. Socio-Political Aspects
All-Round Development
Education
6. Socio-Cultural Aspects
Women in Vedic India
Marriage Institution
7. Vedic Economics
Theories
Agriculture
Industry
Trade and Commerce
8. Needs
Primary Needs
Secondary Needs
9. Religion and Philosophy
Religion
Yajnas or Sacrifices
Philosophy
10. Military Aspect
Formation of Army Troops
Uniform
Division of Army
Drum or Dundubhi
Protection
Types of Wars
Forts
11. Miscellaneous
Lipi in the Vedic Age
geography
Theory of Aryan Race
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix I: Culture — Definition and Aspects
Appendix II: Elements of Science in the Vedas
Appendix III: Christian Conspiracy of Misinterpreting Indian Literatures
Appendix IV: Range of the Vedic Literature
Bibliography
Index

Dr. Shiva Acharya, a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit and a recipient of various awards, has great knowledge of literary classics and Vedas. He has authored four books, of which two books deserves specific mention - Samskrita Margadarshini in Sanskrit and Ajako Digbhranta Samajsashta in Nepali. Besides, he has contributed more than a hundred valuable articles on history, nationalism, culture, religion and national integration in five different languages - English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Assamese and Nepali. All his books and articles have been extensively appreciated by Indologists, historians and sociologists.