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| The
Hindu Phenomenon |
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THE
CIVILIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
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British ruled over India as representatives of Western civilization.
Christianity was doubtless a major constituent of that civilization.
But with Renaissance in the fifteenth century and Enlightenment in
the eighteenth, Christianity ceased to be its informing
principle. The Graeco-Roman heritage took its place. This
heritage was pagan; it provided for plurality in every sphere of
human activity; and it therefore promoted acceptance of a relativist
approach. As such, Hinduism could easily come to terms with it and,
in fact, accommodate it. And precisely for the same reason, Islam
could not come to terms with it. By virtue of being a legatee of
Western civilization (rooted at least as much in an ancient pagan
civilization, similar to India's, if not India's sister or daughter
via Egypt, as in Christianity), the Raj constituted a challenge to
Islam, while it served as a stimulus to Hindus for self- discovery
and recovery.
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The
Civilizational Perspective |
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