It has been unanimously declared by the critics that Rabindranath had rejected the notion of nationalism in general and its Indian manifestation in particular, even though he happens to have composed the national anthems for three nations: India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This refusal of nationalism, however, was a very complex enactment. This complexity of Tagore’s rejection of nationalism as an ideology can be best understood in the very complicated response of both the Indians and the Westerners towards him. For the British, he was a mystic and a mildly rebellious Oriental, who on the basis of his English writings seemed to be affable with the Anglophone world, could be yet never be at ease in the long run with the prolonged companionship …show more content…
Rabindranath himself has confessed: “I took a few steps down the road, and then stopped”. With the chaotic and negative expressions of Indian struggle for independence that generated hatred towards the British in particular, paving way for an abhorrence against the Occident in general, along with the obvious impacts of the World War, Tagore in post-1917 emerged out as the critique of the modern idea of nation/ nation-state which was central to the aspiration of nationalism, sharing the common suspicion that one might find in Romain Rolland and Albert Einstein. In his book Nationalism, published in 1917, Tagore, along with criticising the “organizing selfishness of Nationalism” in the West, even criticised the Indian nationalists’ replication of this alien concept of nationalism, for according to him, “India never had a real sense of nationalism”: India’s reverence for ‘God’ and ‘the ideal of ‘humanity’ should not get replaced by the European concept of a limited ‘national identity’. The Indians felt betrayed by his anti-nationalism in such an extent that even poets like Satyen Datta mocked him in one of his
Not only did the inequality and separation of the Indian society frustrate the citizens of India, but the imperialism Britain had upon them as well. In the early 20th century, Indian nationalists wanted to take a stand against the British rule and make India independent. The British created unfair laws that created a nationalist movement in India to regain their freedom. He believed that there should not be a Caste System because of one’s birth.
Throughout the years, humans have constructed many unique civilizations; all which follow a distinct social, economic, and political structure. Even so, there is one characteristic that prevails among these societies, the concept of nationalism. In short, nationalism refers to the feelings people have when identifying with their nation. This simple notion possesses the ability to divide or unite collective groups, and has played an important role in many historical events.
All over the world and in history, countries and nations have expressed pride towards their nations through spirit and have unified together as one. Nationalism is the force behind the unification, strength, and cooperation of these nations. First, nationalism is a powerful force that helps to unite all different people into a single nation. It is also important for nations to use nationalism to claim justified independence from one another. Finally, nationalism can be taken too far if it is used unjustly or incorrectly. Nationalism is important and necessary for beneficial political changes, but can become harmful and unproductive when used for a country’s personal agenda and lust for power.
During World War I, many national militaries took control and the initiative to go into war and many citizens took pride in going to the war, they felt it was an honour to serve their country. The war was thought as a way to end all conflict in the future, but that was not true.This belief of the early 20th century would contradict the perspective shown in Arthur Schopenhauer because he believes it is foolish to think laying your life for a nation is preposterous, and undeniable absurd. A historic figure that would disagree with Schopenhauer’s views is Napoleon Bonaparte because his whole reputation was to conquer and he was a militant man, his whole persona was identified by his militant accomplishments and he believes that it was proud great nationalistic pride to his nation. “ To conquer a nation first disarm its citizens,’ Adolf Hitler’s quote here is a similar view that connects to the one Schopenhauer believes in. Both say that the be a successful it should not be a militant based foundation, but a calm and peaceful nation is the way to be prosperous. This national force could be deemed as a civic opinion. Schopenhauer civic values could be seen as peace, unity, or even pacifism. Nationalism is about a nation being connected to one another, one who sees pride in their nation, and has a sense of belonging thorough culture, geography, and in this case civic nationalism, and it is just one of the view driving forces in nationalism in the past, or modern
James, Lawrence. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. New York: St. Martin's, 1998. Print.
Nationalism has a long history although most scholarly research on Nationalism only began in the mid-twentieth century. Some scholars point to the French Revolution of 1789 as the birth of Nationalism. The French Revolution is seen...
After the end of French Revolution, as the empires slowly diminished, countries wished to become independent and develop nation-states. Possibly one of the first nationalists was Johann Gottlieb Fichte, who attempted to urge Germans to be individual from people of other nation-states. Many years later, more people became interested in nationalism, some in more positive ways than others. Ernest Renan questioned the definition of an actual nation, and what constituted a nation. However, not everyone agreed with nationalism. John Acton strongly opposed nationalism and maintained that its primary goal was not freedom. Unfortunately, the negative connotations and slight misinterpretation of the works of each of the pro-nationalist authors gave rise to war, both the Great War and Second World War. Acton was right to oppose nationalism, as early thinkers such as Fichte, Mazzini and Renan gave unclear notions of nationalism, which contributed to misinterpretation of literary texts.
Nationalism was the strongest political force during the 19th century. During this time people of the same ethnicities came together to fight for their own causes. As a political idea, our textbook states, “Nationalism is based on the relatively modern concept that a nation is composed of people who are joined together by the bonds of common language, customs, culture, and history, and who because of those bonds should share the same government” (The Heritage of World Civilizations pg. 700). In 1835 the Italian nationalist and patriot, Giuseppe Mazzini explained his understanding of the concept in our textbook titled “Mazzini Defines Nationality” (pg.703). Although nationalism served as the stepping stone for the political consolidation of Europe and North America, it was also described to sever the liberties of other minor ethnic groups. Lord Action was a major nineteenth-century English historian and commentator on the contemporary religious and political events. In all of his writings, he was deeply concerned with the preservation of liberty. In the source, “Lord Action Condemns Nationalism” he voices to warn against the political dangers of Nationalism. (pg. 726)
Nationalism has played a crucial role in world history over the past centuries. It continues to do so today. For many, nationalism is indelibly associated with some of the worst aspects of modern history, such as the destructive confidence of the Napoleon’s army and the murderous pride of Nazi Germany. Large numbers of people, descent in their hearts, have carried out unbelievable atrocities for no better reason than their nation required them to. Authoritarian and totalitarian regime have crushed dissent, eliminated opposition, and trampled on civil liberties in the name of the nation.
Nationalism can take on many different forms such as racial nationalism and imperialism. It is easy to see this by looking at the definition of nationalism that George Orwell gives and compromising it to document wrote about racial nationalism and imperialism. George Orwell’s definition of nationalism can be applied to not just these document or points in history but many other points in history as well because it is so broad and unspecific to a certain time or place. In George Orwell’s Notes on Nationalism, he defined nationalism as identifying with a single nation or group, whom has a desire of power to further the nation or group, and view their nation or group above the moral standard .
There is a distinct difference between popular Indian nationalism, that is the nation believing in a state independent of Britain, and Indian nationalist movements, for example the Muslim League or the Hindu revivalist movement. These movements fought for independence but were far more religiously orientated and were fighting in their own interests. Although Indian nationalism initially found expression in the Mutiny of 1857, its deve...
The nature and meaning of the term ‘nationalism’ has many different facets and dimensions. At times, deconstructing the different theoretical literature can become confusing and complicated process. These ambiguities arise from the different meanings scholars attribute to the term, while also the nature and meaning of nationalism is constantly being contested. To Primordialists, the *path to nationalism
A Bengali mystic and artist, Rabindranath Tagore was a great poet, philosopher, music composer and a leader of Brahma Samaj who became a prominent voice of the Indian heritage. Best known for his poems and short stories, essays, novels articles etc., Tagore largely contributed to the Bengali literature in the late 19th and early 20th century and created his masterpieces such as Ghare- Baire, Yogayog, Sandhya Sangeet, Naibedya, Gitanjali and Gitimalya. As a Bengali polymath, he redesigned his region’s literature and music and became the first Non- European to win the Nobel Prize for literature for “Gitanjali” the book of poems.
Of the themes which dominate the representative writings of the forth world literatures include the theme of resistance, rebellion, opposition, assertion, challenge, sacrifice, suffering and displacement. All these general ideas are interconnected with the common concept of ‘freedom’ and an aspiration for which is truly a driving force for the indigenous people. In this paper an attempt has been made to look into the theme of resistance and how it contributes to the development of the spirit of self-determinism as it is reflected and re-presented in the Fourth World literatures with special reference to dalits’ writings in India in order to appreciate and advance the common cause of freedom in the larger interest of Humanity.
According to Sri Aurobindo ,”Nationalism is itself no creation of individuals….It is a force which God has created hence nationalism is a religion that has come from God……..It has not been crushed .It is not going to be crushed….Nationalism is immortal,cannot die because it is not human being ,it is God who is