The Conundrum Of National Identity: Naturalisation Of India As A National Collectivity - A Postcolonial Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61841/09qfjx37Keywords:
Imagined Homogeneity, Postcolonial Context, British Colonial Rule, Identity-based Politics, Naturalisation in Post-colonial IndiaAbstract
This paper critically examines the concept of 'imagined homogeneity' and its implications for understanding India as a national collectivity in a postcolonial context. It scrutinizes the impact of British colonial rule on the formation of India's national identity, detailing how colonial strategies reinforced an oversimplified perception of India, a diverse and multifaceted country. It explores how this 'imagined homogeneity' has been questioned in the postcolonial era, leading to the emergence of regional and identity-based politics and resulting in numerous conflicts. The challenges and complexities of achieving national cohesion in post-colonial India, particularly given its cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity, are also addressed. The study's findings emphasize the need for a more nuanced understanding of India's diverse identities and the implications for the nation's attempts at naturalization in the postcolonial era.
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