Introduction

Abstract

The introductory chapter contextualises the rise of nationalism in India in recent times and examines how nationalism has constituted a problematic ever since its inception in the Indian context. The chapter briefly examines the Eurocentric discourse on nationalism and its effects on Indian politics, economy and culture. It also examines the numerous challenges created by the European model of nationalism in multi-ethnic India and shows how such challenges have been engaged by different litterateurs (poets, novelists, dramatists and short story writers) in the past two centuries. The chapter concludes with a brief overview of the individual contributors’ interpretations of studies of different facets of nationalism in India such as language, religion and culture through their analyses of literary works.