Indian nationalism

Abstract

This chapter discusses the peculiarities of the emergence of Indian nationalism and the chief features of the main state-building frameworks that emerged during the period. It highlights the relevance of the global and regional context regarding the appearance of Indian nationalism by describing some of the major differences and mutual interrelations between the emergence of Asian and European nationalisms. In historical terms, without ignoring the long-term evolution of Indian nationalist ideas and authors, we point out how the interwar years shaped the Indian National Movement and the main state-building frameworks needed to devise an independent India. The chapter contextualises the specific features of the emergence of Asian nationalisms, focusing on Indian nationalism and the main state-building frameworks that arose in India during the interwar period. It argues that a specific feature of Asian nationalisms is their reaction to European imperialism.