Degree of emulation depends on what you have to offer
If what you have is perceived to be finer, then it gets emulated
Mongols conquered much of Central Asia in early 13th cen. But the Ilkhanate Mongols hardly "mongolized" local culture. Rather they got persianized themselves
If what you have is perceived to be finer, then it gets emulated
Mongols conquered much of Central Asia in early 13th cen. But the Ilkhanate Mongols hardly "mongolized" local culture. Rather they got persianized themselves
Not all cultures are the same
Nor are their merits and demerits
There's a reason Western ideas in 19th cen influenced Indian intelligentsia far more than Islamic ideas did in say 13th cen
Nor are their merits and demerits
There's a reason Western ideas in 19th cen influenced Indian intelligentsia far more than Islamic ideas did in say 13th cen
To put it crudely, the conquest of the Turko-Mongols was largely a political one. Not an intellectual conquest
So Indian thought was not greatly transformed
Whereas the encounter with the West ended in an intellectual setback. Thus transforming ideas more fundamentally
So Indian thought was not greatly transformed
Whereas the encounter with the West ended in an intellectual setback. Thus transforming ideas more fundamentally
With respect to Sanskritization -
There is no doubt the story of India is one of Sanskritization
The idea of India / Bharat begins with the early Vedic settlements in North West India.
With likely the earliest state formation being the ancient Kuru state
There is no doubt the story of India is one of Sanskritization
The idea of India / Bharat begins with the early Vedic settlements in North West India.
With likely the earliest state formation being the ancient Kuru state
At one point that was "India" - region around East Punjab / West UP / modern Haryana.
The rest was likely wilderness. Not Aryanized yet.
The story of India in one sense is the "spread" of that culture across the rest of the subcontinent
The rest was likely wilderness. Not Aryanized yet.
The story of India in one sense is the "spread" of that culture across the rest of the subcontinent
The process of that spread likely started around 1700-1500 BCE-ish
And likely had covered much of the subcontinent by around 200-300 CE
And likely had covered much of the subcontinent by around 200-300 CE
But that's the horizontal spread.
What was not complete is the "vertical spread". Percolation of ideas down the social order
That process I guess continues to this day
What was not complete is the "vertical spread". Percolation of ideas down the social order
That process I guess continues to this day
This would be a "brahminical" conception of what India is.
And I think there is some merit to it
And I think there is some merit to it
The fact that millions across the country are glued to TV today watching a TV serial (Mahabharata) that vaguely recalls v ancient legends set in that ancient "Brahmavarta" region (W.UP / Haryana) tells you something
It is the story of the genesis of the idea of India.
It is the story of the genesis of the idea of India.
It is quite likely those legends meant zilch to someone in Telengana or Maratwada back in 1000 BCE
Today it means a lot.
So that is sanskritization in one sense...the physical and intellectual colonization of Vedic culture starting from its core base in the "Brahmavarta" region
Today it means a lot.
So that is sanskritization in one sense...the physical and intellectual colonization of Vedic culture starting from its core base in the "Brahmavarta" region
I don't believe there is a competing "idea of India" besides the "brahminical" one I outlined
Until perhaps the 20th century - an alternative idea that grew out of the "nationalist" movement
One that attempts to position India as a new, culture-agnostic constitutional republic
Until perhaps the 20th century - an alternative idea that grew out of the "nationalist" movement
One that attempts to position India as a new, culture-agnostic constitutional republic
That to my mind is a worthy and valid counterpoint to the narrative I first outlined.
Modern Indian politics is basically a conflict between these two ideas of India
And it must be said the former idea has made a great deal of concession to the latter
Modern Indian politics is basically a conflict between these two ideas of India
And it must be said the former idea has made a great deal of concession to the latter
