Religion And Personal Law In Secular India

Most of the papers presented at a conference held at Bloomington in 1999; some previously published.

Contributed papers presented at a Seminar on WTO and Agriculture with Special Reference to Gujarat held at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, 20-21 Jan. 2001.

Throughout India's history, religion has been the most powerful single factor in the development of her civilization. Today, despite her religious tradition, India is emerging as a secular state. In this book, Donald E. Smith explores the origin of the concept of secularization as it is found both in Indian culture and in the example of the western nations. He emphasizes the important role of secularization in India’s total democratic experiment and points out that the degree of its realization will undoubtedly affect the eventual character of democracy in India. In addition, the success or failure of the secular state in India cannot fail to influence the attitudes of her neighbors. Professor Smith considers the many aspects and implications of India’s attempt to secularize her government. Originally published in 1963. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

This important volume is a major contribution to the interface between religion and law in independent India. The result of a cooperative International project, this multidisciplinary volume includes essays by eminent jurists, legal scholars, historians of religions, political scientists and Sanskritists from India and abroad. This revised and updated edition has new essays on subjects such as the structure of religion and law in India; legal issues affecting the Sikh community; public endowments; and issues relating to caste and conversions.

A unique study of how a deeply religious country like India acquired the laws and policies of a secular state, highlighting the contradictory effects of British imperial policies, the complex role played by Indian Christians, and how this highly divided community shaped its own identity and debated that of their new nation.

This book highlights the relationship between the state and religion in India and Europe. It problematizes the idea of secularism and questions received ideas about secularism. It also looks at how Europe and India can learn from each other about negotiating religious space and identity in this globalised post-9/11 world.