About the book
How can religious freedom be granted to people who do not have a religion? While Indian indentured workers in colonial Trinidad practiced cherished rituals, “Hinduism” was not a widespread category in India at the time. On this Caribbean island, people of South Asian descent and African descent came together—under the watchful eyes of the British rulers—to walk on hot coals for fierce goddesses, summon spirits of the dead, or honor Muslim martyrs, practices that challenged colonial norms for religion and race. Drawing deeply on colonial archives, Alexander Rocklin examines the role of the category of religion in the regulation of the lives of Indian laborers struggling for autonomy.
Gradually, Indians learned to narrate the origins, similarities, and differences among their fellows’ cosmological views, and to define Hindus, Muslims, and Christians as distinct groups. Their goal in doing this work of subaltern comparative religion, as Rocklin puts it, was to avoid criminalization and to have their rituals authorized as legitimate religion—they wanted nothing less than to gain access to the British promise of religious freedom. With the indenture system’s end, the culmination of this politics of recognition was the gradual transformation of Hindus’ rituals and the reorganization of their lives—they fabricated a “world religion” called Hinduism.
Editions of The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469648705
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469648712
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469648736
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890855626
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469648729
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890855619
Read an Excerpt
How can religious freedom be granted to people who do not have a religion? While Indian indentured workers in colonial Trinidad practiced cherished rituals, “Hinduism” was not a widespread category in India at the time. On this Caribbean island, people of South Asian descent and African descent came together—under the watchful eyes of the British rulers—to walk on hot coals for fierce goddesses, summon spirits of the dead, or honor Muslim martyrs, practices that challenged colonial norms for religion and race. Drawing deeply on colonial archives, Alexander Rocklin examines the role of the category of religion in the regulation of the lives of Indian laborers struggling for autonomy.
Gradually, Indians learned to narrate the origins, similarities, and differences among their fellows’ cosmological views, and to define Hindus, Muslims, and Christians as distinct groups. Their goal in doing this work of subaltern comparative religion, as Rocklin puts it, was to avoid criminalization and to have their rituals authorized as legitimate religion—they wanted nothing less than to gain access to the British promise of religious freedom. With the indenture system’s end, the culmination of this politics of recognition was the gradual transformation of Hindus’ rituals and the reorganization of their lives—they fabricated a “world religion” called Hinduism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad about?
How can religious freedom be granted to people who do not have a religion? While Indian indentured workers in colonial Trinidad practiced cherished rituals, “Hinduism” was not a widespread category in India at the time. On this Caribbean island, people of South Asian descent and African descent came together—under the watchful eyes of the British rulers—to walk on hot coals for fierce goddesses, summon spirits of the dead, or honor Muslim martyrs, practices that challenged colonial norms for religion and race. Drawing deeply on colonial archives, Alexander Rocklin examines the role of the category of religion in the regulation of the lives of Indian laborers struggling for autonomy.
Gradually, Indians learned to narrate the origins, similarities, and differences among their fellows’ cosmological views, and to define Hindus, Muslims, and Christians as distinct groups. Their goal in doing this work of subaltern comparative religion, as Rocklin puts it, was to avoid criminalization and to have their rituals authorized as legitimate religion—they wanted nothing less than to gain access to the British promise of religious freedom. With the indenture system’s end, the culmination of this politics of recognition was the gradual transformation of Hindus’ rituals and the reorganization of their lives—they fabricated a “world religion” called Hinduism.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Religion: general > Comparative religion
Where can I read a sample of The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469648705
How long is The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad and how many pages does it have?
The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad has 310 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad?
Alexander Rocklin
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469648705) and paperback(ISBN 9781469648712) and ebook(ISBN 9781469648736) and ebook(ISBN 9798890855626) and ebook(ISBN 9781469648729) and pdf(ISBN 9798890855619)
Where can I buy The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Regulation of Religion and the Making of Hinduism in Colonial Trinidad?