Mein Kampf has sold more copies in India over the years than Churchill's History of Second World war, or his history of the English Speaking Peoples
Though Churchill was a better writer, and also his subjects should be of more interest to the general public
Though Churchill was a better writer, and also his subjects should be of more interest to the general public
How do we rationalize this -
1. "Extremes" appeal to people more. As simple as that
2. Indians are more inclined to fascist, authoritarian politics than we assume (I don't buy this)
3. There is an aversion to Churchill (for obvious reasons) that doesn't exist w.r.t. Hitler
1. "Extremes" appeal to people more. As simple as that
2. Indians are more inclined to fascist, authoritarian politics than we assume (I don't buy this)
3. There is an aversion to Churchill (for obvious reasons) that doesn't exist w.r.t. Hitler
4. India has traditionally had a weak state for millennia
We live with the reality of a weak state, and are too familiar with its shortcomings
So there is a craving for a "strong" state/leader who can "get things done"
There's less worry about the downsides of a strong state
We live with the reality of a weak state, and are too familiar with its shortcomings
So there is a craving for a "strong" state/leader who can "get things done"
There's less worry about the downsides of a strong state
1 and 3 and 4 all seem plausible to me
On that note a related thread on the Indian fascination with Germany, Japan, USSR
On that note a related thread on the Indian fascination with Germany, Japan, USSR
