The Hindus: an alternative history

TLDR

The book offers a narrative account of Hinduism’s history and myth, emphasizing its complex, non‑chronological nature and the diverse, often conflicting beliefs that shape the religion. The study aims to clarify how recorded history, myth, inner life, and social history interrelate among Hindus. The authors weave historical records, mythic narratives, and sociological analysis to explore these interconnections.

Abstract

Don't miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher. -The Washington Post An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth, The Hindus offers a new way of understanding one of the world's oldest major religions. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account. Many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated within a century; its central tenets arise at particular moments in Indian history and often differ according to gender or caste; and the differences between groups of Hindus far outnumber the commonalities. Yet the greatness of Hinduism lies precisely in many of these idiosyncratic qualities that continues to inspire debate today. This groundbreaking work elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds, the inner life and the social history of Hindus.