Bengal Divided: Hindu Communalism and Partition, 1932-1947 (Cambridge South Asian Studies) [Hardcover]

Joya Chatterji (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521411289 | ISBN-13: 978-0521411288 | Publication Date: January 27, 1995

Whereas previous studies of the end of British rule in India have concentrated on the negotiations of the transfer of power at the all-India level or have considered the emergence of separatist politics amongst India's Muslim minorities, this study provides a re-evaluation of the history of Bengal focusing on the political and social processes that led to the demand for partition in Bengal and tracing the rise of Hindu communalism. In its most startling revelation, the author shows how the demand for a separate homeland for the Hindus, which was fuelled by a large and powerful section of Hindu society within Bengal, was seen as the only way to regain influence and to wrest power from the Muslim majority. The picture which emerges is one of a stratified and fragmented society moving away from the mainstream of Indian nationalism, and increasingly preoccupied with narrower, more parochial concerns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Chatterji weaves together an array of theoretical insights and scholarly reconstructions to trace the formation of an identity for the middle class in the nineteenth century." Lou Ratte, International Journal of Hindu Studies

Book Description

Bengal Divided relates how a large and powerful section of Hindu society in Bengal insisted that their province be divided to create a separate Hindu homeland. The picture which emerges is one of a fragmented society moving away from the mainstream of Indian nationalism, and increasingly preoccupied with more parochial concerns.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 323 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521411289
• ISBN-13: 978-0521411288
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,586,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great and brave work, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bengal Divided: Hindu Communalism and Partition, 1932-1947 (Cambridge South Asian Studies) (Hardcover)

being a bengali-muslim from kolkata, i read with fascination the unraveling of the second partition of my beloved homeland. growing up in present-day west bengal, i was always told of the great sacrifices made by a particular community to keep bengal united and the utter callous and parochial view of the muslim league anatagonists. this book is a strong testament of contrary evidence. armchair communal "bhadraloks" of present time should read this book to learn about "real" history!! this is a great work and long overdue.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Long Ignored Truth, November 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bengal Divided: Hindu Communalism and Partition, 1932-1947 (Cambridge South Asian Studies) (Hardcover)

Joya Chatterjee has admirably argued and documented an aspect of Bengali politics long ignored, and still often unacknowledged (see other customer reviews!), by most Hindu Bengalis. It is true that the Muslim governments of the 30s and 40s did little to win over their confidence, but the Hindus themselves have a much longer history of bearing contempt for the Bengali Muslims, whom they hardly recognized as Bengalis. In an acute irony of history, it is these "mlecchas" who have achieved the first and only Bengali state in the world, while the West Bengalis have become a virtual colony of the "Hind Raj." Both Bengals would be faring much better today if they could have found some way to remain together when there was a real opportunity for that. The failure lies as much with the people as with the leaders - not only political, but cultural as well. And Chatterjee brings all this out with fascinating new scholarly reserach.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, some truth, June 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bengal Divided: Hindu Communalism and Partition, 1932-1947 (Cambridge South Asian Studies) (Hardcover)

A carefully woven fantastic book. Not only should all bengalis read it, all south asians should learn from her research.