Indian Political Thought: A Reader

Editors: Aakash Singh, Silika Mohapatra

(London & New York: Routledge, 2010).

It is a comprehensive introduction, tracing the development of the discipline and offering a clear presentation of the most influential literature in the field, bringing together contributions by outstanding and well-known academics on contemporary Indian political thought. The Reader weaves together relevant works from the humanities & social sciences — sociology, anthropology, law, history, philosophy, feminist and postcolonial theory — which shape the nature of political theorization in India today. Themes both unique to the Indian political milieu as well as of universal significance are reflected upon, including tradition, secularism, communalism, modernity, feminism, justice and human rights.

In our time of globalization, people in the West are increasingly looking beyond the limits of the West for insights and teachings. It is very important and fascinating to find out what is happening today in India in terms of political philosophy. This Reader is timely and very much needed as there is simply no comparable text available...it is in fact a 'who's who' in contemporary Indian political thought.

Fred Dallmayr

A significant attempt to construct a foundational text for contemporary Indian political thought, this volume meets a deeply felt need.

Shashi Tharoor