New Books in Islamic Studies Ankur Barua, "The Hindu Self and Its Muslim Neighbors: Contested Borderlines on Bengali Landscapes" (Lexington, 2022)
Jul 30, 2025
Ankur Barua, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, explores Hindu-Muslim dynamics in Bengal. He discusses how histories of amicability and antipathy shape contemporary identities, countering the notion of unbroken hostilities. The podcast dives into the literary contributions of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, highlighting their visions of cultural unity and religious humanism. Barua elaborates on socio-political influences transforming these relationships over centuries, revealing a rich tapestry of coexistence that challenges simplistic narratives.
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Hindu Self's Dual Visions
- The Hindu self has two competing visions: austerity rooted in strict boundaries and abundance emphasizing universal spiritual connection.
- These visions coexist and create an uneasy tension shaping Hindu-Muslim relations in Bengal.
Colonial Policies Sharpen Divides
- Hindu-Muslim relations in Bengal polarized under colonial policies like communal electorates and socioeconomic shifts.
- Census operations and land reforms exacerbated religious identities causing strains in social harmony.
Language Shapes Religious Identity
- Bengali emerged as a shared cultural medium synthesizing Hindu and Muslim traditions despite contested religious identities.
- Language debates intensified with claims over Urdu's primacy for Muslims, influencing nationalist movements.
