Constructing ‘Alternative Masculinity’

Abstract

This paper examines evidence from the 19th century in support of the argument that the reformation of Hinduism was a strategy to persuade Indian Christians (and Muslims) to consider ‘homecoming’ (gharvāpasī). It focusses on ‘Hindu masculinity’ and highlights Lekhram’s distinctive perspective which undermines traditional patriarchy and offers relative equality to women through ‘positive discrimination’. This is argued with evidence from strī śikśā, rāmcandarjī kā saccā darśan and śrī kriṣṇa kā jīvancaritr as well as Shraddhananda’s editorial in kulliyāt-e ārya musāfir and Dayananda Saraswati’s satyārtha prakāsh.