This course will introduce students to the myriad visions of India that have been expressed through historical, social, economic, political, religious and cultural movements and debates over the past two centuries. It will focus on the crucial question: what is India? In the multiplicity of dynamic and often ephemeral answers, the course will offer glimpses of the many Indias that are at play.

It will begin during a critical period of the British Raj and survey the complex processes, events and ideologies that went into the shaping of India. It will follow the progression of colonialism and the emergence of anticolonial and national movements as well as struggles that slipped under the radar of popular national movements. The course will explore the violent moment of Independence and the contending aspirations of a newly minted nation-state.

1. Evaluate and discuss the role of critical events in Indian history with significant empirical data
2. Use models of knowledge construction to identify the kinds of information available for historical research
3. Develop informed views on the place of South Asia in world history.
4. Identify the main controversies in South Asian history and the evidence and arguments that are applied to those debates.
5. Apply critical skills in the identification and use of historical sources
6. Creatively employ non traditional sources or demonstrate a plan for the use non traditional sources to the understanding of Indian history

Two hours lectures and one hour tutorial each week.

Incompatible with ASIA2271

Undergraduate degree

Readings provided on Wattle.