The Space of the Nation: An Examination of the Spatial Productions of Hindu Nationalism

Abstract

Hindu nationalism has had a significant impact on Indian politics over the last few decades. A crucial aspect of this ideology has been its production of a means of understanding the physical world. Taken on as part of a Hindu national identity, this understanding has great political power. This article examines this spatial understanding, augmenting theories of nationalism with works from the "spatial turn" in cultural analysis to explore the "lived space" of the Hindu nationalist. It is suggested that this spatial method can tell us much about what the ideology means for individuals and about its sources power. Show more