Indian Modernity - Contradictions, Paradoxes and Possibilities

Indian Modernity critiques a techno-militaristic model of modernization, and visualizes alternative possibilities to give a distinctively new definition to our modernity.

List of contents

Preface to the New Edition
Preface
Introduction-Critical Engagement with Modernity
I. Sociology and Modernity
II. Advent of Postmodernity
III. Modernity and Indian Social Reality
1. Intellectual Traditions in Modern India
I. Intellectuals and Their Ideals: A Conceptual Clarification
II. Birth of Modern Intellectuals: Colonialism and the Vision of New India
III. Intellectuals and the Project of Modernity in Post-Independence India
IV. Need for Self-Introspection
2. Limits to Secular Modernity: Religiosity and its Possibilities
I. Soft Secularism and its Gains
II. Beginning of a Militant Agenda: Secularism an Modernity
III. Religion and its Altered Modes of Functioning
IV. Discontents of Secular Thinking and Necessity of Spiritual Religion
V. Religion, Secularism and Contemporary India
3. Assertion of Femininity: Modernity and its Ambiguities
I. Cultural Ideals of Indian Womanhood
II. Imagining a New Woman
III. Feminist Challenge
IV. Feminist Journey to Emancipation: Overcoming Communalism
V. Consumerism: Yet Another Obstacle
VI. Towards an Alternate Agenda
4. Culture as an Arena of Struggle: Debates on Tradition, Modernity and Revival
I. Understanding Culture
II. Great Cultural Ideals
III. Onslaught of Modernity
IV. Globalization, Consumerism and Mass Culture
V. Colonization of Religion
VI. Limits to Cultural Relativism
5. Conflict of Worldviews: Imagining an Emancipatory Vision
I. Mythologization of Development
II. Cultural Narcissism
III. Dalit Assertion
IV. Emerging Conflicts
V. Alternative Worldview
Conclusion-Spiritualizing Modernity
Index

About the author

Avijit Pathak is Professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Product details

• Authors: Avijit Pathak, Pathak Avijit
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 06.05.2025
• EAN: 9781032666655
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3266665-5
• No. of pages: 254
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; Sociology, Cultural Studies, Political Ideologies, Asia, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Gender studies: women, Gender studies: women and girls, Political ideologies and movements, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / Asian Studies