RS121 Lecture Notes - Indian Nationalism, Religious Pluralism, Dharma
Document Summary
Mohandas gandhi; widely known as mahatma gandhi ( great soul - meaning of mahatma (a title)) Studied law in england and became a lawyer; england power in india, educated indians sent children to england for education trying to become modern, upward mobility. From 1893-1915 worked as legal consultant in south africa where he first encountered racism. Three tier system; white- had full rights, coloured (asians)- in between, blacks- few rights. Organizes first fight against racial discrimination; discovers that racism is very widespread. This is tied to imperialism- racism in india and england too. Europeans have convinced themselves that they"re intellectually, morally, and physically superior to the people they"ve conquered- don"t see themselves as bad people who have conquered these people, but think they"re raising them up. See themselves as good people rising up these lower humans. - they think it is moral. Gandhi"s response is rooted in his hindu identity; reformulation of classic teachings- criticizes traditional hinduism.