Battleground India

Battleground  India: Prognosis of Hindu-Muslim Exclusivism  is an  interpretive

study of  the historical spectrum of  India  from 10  Century  to  the present period. 

This period witnessed rise and collapse of Muslim politico-military powers in 

India  and  gradual  sprouting  of  Hindu  nationalism  and  later  germination  of Muslim 

nationalism. Hindu aspirations to assert nationalism, cultural and religious identity, and 

achieve  self-rule;  and  Muslim  endeavour  to  assert  separate  identity  as  a  distinct 

linguistic, cultural and religious and political entity; have been projected. Initial Hindu 

reaction  to  treat  the  British  as  deliverer  and  Muslim  attitude  of  aversion  led  to 

disproportionate growth of Hindu and Muslim  fortunes. The book  interprets how  the 

Ashraf Muslims and British connived to thwart the Hindu nationalists and perpetuated 

the Two Nation concept on  the basis of  religion, which  finally  fruited  in dividing  the people 

irreconcilably. The evolution of Muslim separatism since 1857 has been scientifically 

studied and discussed. Growth of Hindu majoritrainism and assertion of  identity has also 

been chronicled.

The  aspect  of  'living  together  separately'  psychology  persisted  even  after 

Independence. The Indian Muslims continued to carry the burden of minority identity 

crisis. The ambience of exclusivism continued unabated. Alleged minorityism practised 

by the state and Muslim clamour for better share has generated sharp Hindu reaction. 

Battleground India has examined all these aspects both at macro and micro levels. The 

first unbiased projection of the deteriorating grassroots conflict situation prognosticates 

bad news  for national unity and  integrity.