The Hindus: An Alternative History by Wendy Doniger (English) Paperback Book

Description: The Hindus by Wendy Doniger An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions from one of the worlds foremost scholars on Hinduism. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds.Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account: many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated even within a century; its central tenets karma, dharma, to name just two ariseat particular moments in Indian history and differ in each era, between genders, and caste to caste; and what is shared among Hindus is overwhelmingly outnumbered by the things that are unique to one group oranother. Yet the greatness of Hinduism - its vitality, its earthiness, its vividness - lies precisely in many of those idiosyncratic qualities that continue to inspire debate today.Wendy Doniger is one of the foremost scholars of Hinduism in the world. With her inimitable insight and expertise Doniger illuminates those moments within the tradition that resist forces that would standardize or establish a canon. Without reversing or misrepresenting the historicalhierarchies, she reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion toward women and lower castes; how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence, and tolerance; and howanimals are the key to important shifts in attitudes toward different social classes.The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkers - many of them far removed from Brahmin authors of Sanskrit texts - have kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms from which to consider theironies, and overlooked epiphanies, of history. Notes A rich and comprehensive narrative account of the history and myth of Hinduism, from the earliest Stone Age cultures of the Indus Valley through to the present day. Focuses on those usually ignored by conventional histories, such as women, low castes and animals. Staggeringly comprehensive. New York Times Author Biography Wendy Doniger is Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of the History of Religions at the University of Chicago. She has also translated "The Kama?sutra" (with Sudhir Kakar), "The Rig Veda: An Anthology", "Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook" and "The Laws of Manu" (with Brian K. Smith), and is the author of nine more books about Indian culture. Table of Contents Preface: The Man or the Rabbit in the Moon1: Introduction: Working with Available Light2: Time and Space in India: 50 Million to 50,000 BCE3: Civilization in the Indus Valley: 50,000 to 1500 BCE4: Between the Ruins and the Text: 2000 to 1500 BCE5: Humans, Animals, and Gods in the Rig Veda: 1500 to 1000 BCE6: Sacrifice in the Brahmanas: 800 to 500 BCE7: Renunciation in the Upanishads: 600 to 200 BCE8: The Three (or Is It Four?) Aims of Life in the Hindu Imaginary9: Women and Ogresses in the Ramayana: 400 BCE to 200 CE10: Violence in the Mahabharata: 300 BCE to 300 CE11: Dharma in the Mahabharata: 300 BCE to 300 CE12: Escape Clauses in the Shastras: 100 BCE to 400 CE13: Bhakti in South India: 100 BCE to 900 CE14: Goddesses and Gods in the Early Puranas: 300 to 600 CE15: Sects and Sex in Tantric Puranas and the Tantras: 600 to 900 CE16: Fusion and Rivalry Under the Dehli Sultanate: 650 to 1500 CE17: Avatar and Accidental Grace in the Later Puranas: 800 to 1500 CE18: Philosophical Feuds in South INdia and Kashmir: 800 to 1300 CE19: Dialogue and Tolerance Under the Mughals: 1500 to 1700 CE20: Hinduism Under the Mughals: 1500 to 1700 CE21: Caste, Class, and Conversion Under the British Raj: 1600 to 1900 CE22: Suttee and Reform in the Twilight of the Raj: 1800 to 1947 CE23: Hindus in America: 1900-24: The Past in the Present: 1950-25: Inconclusion, or, the Abuse of HistoryChronologyGuide to Pronunciation and SpellingGlossary Review `This is history as great entertainment! Unlike the usual, arid accounts of dynasties, Wendy Donigers double vision of Hinduism is about women, merchants, lower castes, animals, spirits and , of course, Dead Male Brahmins. This lively, earthy account explains why ancient India is the worlds richest storytelling culture.Gurcharan Das, author India Unbound`Wendy Donigers enthralling and encyclopaedic book reveals her vision of a Hindu culture that is plural, varied, generous, and inclusive. Hinduism, in her view, is an intricate weave of the diverse localities and communities of Indian culture. This is a rich text that will encourage dialogue and conversation among a wide range of scholars.Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities, Harvard University`With her vast erudition, insight, and graceful writing laced with gentle wit, there is no one better than Wendy Doniger to convey the richness, depth, and diversity of Hindu texts and traditions to international audiences. The Hindus is destined to become a classic that will be discussed and debated for many years to come.Sudhir Kakar, author of Indian Identity Long Description An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the worlds oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds.Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account: many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated even within a century; its central tenets karma, dharma, to name just two ariseat particular moments in Indian history and differ in each era, between genders, and caste to caste; and what is shared among Hindus is overwhelmingly outnumbered by the things that are unique to one group oranother. Yet the greatness of Hinduism - its vitality, its earthiness, its vividness - lies precisely in many of those idiosyncratic qualities that continue to inspire debate today.Wendy Doniger is one of the foremost scholars of Hinduism in the world. With her inimitable insight and expertise Doniger illuminates those moments within the tradition that resist forces that would standardize or establish a canon. Without reversing or misrepresenting the historicalhierarchies, she reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion toward women and lower castes; how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence, and tolerance; and howanimals are the key to important shifts in attitudes toward different social classes.The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkers - many of them far removed from Brahmin authors of Sanskrit texts - have kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms from which to consider theironies, and overlooked epiphanies, of history. Review Text `This is history as great entertainment! Unlike the usual, arid accounts of dynasties, Wendy Donigers double vision of Hinduism is about women, merchants, lower castes, animals, spirits and , of course, Dead Male Brahmins. This lively, earthy account explains why ancient India is the worlds richest storytelling culture. Gurcharan Das, author India Unbound`Wendy Donigers enthralling and encyclopaedic book reveals her vision of a Hindu culture that is plural, varied, generous, and inclusive. Hinduism, in her view, is an intricate weave of the diverse localities and communities of Indian culture. This is a rich text that will encourage dialogue and conversation among a wide range of scholars. Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities, Harvard University`With her vast erudition, insight, and graceful writing laced with gentle wit, there is no one better than Wendy Doniger to convey the richness, depth, and diversity of Hindu texts and traditions to international audiences. The Hindus is destined to become a classic that will be discussed and debated for many years to come. Sudhir Kakar, author of Indian Identity Review Quote You will learn a huge amount about both the main thoroughfares and neglected byways of Hindu history. Feature National Book Critics Circle Prize Nominee 2010A rich and comprehensive narrative account of the history and myth of Hinduism, from the earliest Stone Age cultures of the Indus Valley through to the present dayFocuses on those usually ignored by conventional histories-such as women, low castes, and animalsExpertly crafted prose by a world renowned expert on Hinduism, makes sense of complex multi-stranded narratives and vividly brings to life the people, events, dieties, and myths described on the pageAccompanied by four detailed maps that help to illustrate Indias changing history and a glossary explaining unfamiliar terms Details ISBN0199593345 Author Wendy Doniger Pages 800 Year 2010 ISBN-10 0199593345 ISBN-13 9780199593347 Format Paperback Media Book Subtitle An Alternative History DEWEY 294.509 Short Title HINDUS Language English Residence US Affiliation University of Chicago Imprint Oxford University Press Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom Publisher Oxford University Press Publication Date 2010-09-30 UK Release Date 2010-09-30 NZ Release Date 2010-09-30 Illustrations 4 maps, 12 black and white illustrations Audience General AU Release Date 2010-12-29 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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