Section Article

Hindu Nationalism and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s Contribution
Author(s): Prisha Gupta

Abstract
The emergence and evolution of Hindu nationalism in modern India represents a complex interplay of cultural political and historical factors that have shaped the nation’s socio-political landscape. Among the foremost figures in conceptualizing and articulating this ideological framework Vinayak Damodar Savarkar stands as a pivotal intellectual and political actor whose ideas continue to influence contemporary discourse on national identity cultural cohesion and political mobilization. This research provides a comprehensive examination of Hindu nationalism through a historical and analytical lens exploring Savarkar’s contribution to the formulation of Hindutva as both a cultural and political ideology. Drawing on archival sources including primary writings speeches organizational documents and correspondences as well as extensive secondary literature from 2021 onwards this study investigates the philosophical foundations historical context and political significance of Savarkar’s thought. The paper analyzes how Savarkar conceptualized Hindu identity beyond religious boundaries framing it as a civilizational and territorial construct that could unify diverse communities under a shared sense of nationhood. It examines the intellectual influences on Savarkar including nineteenth-century reformist movements anti-colonial nationalism and global trends in nationalist thought demonstrating how these factors shaped his understanding of cultural identity citizenship and political agency. Additionally the research critically evaluates the reception and interpretation of Savarkar’s ideology across different political and academic domains considering both its instrumental role in mobilizing nationalist movements and the critiques regarding its potential implications for pluralism and constitutional secularism. By employing a multidisciplinary approach that combines historical analysis political theory and cultural studies the study situates Savarkar’s ideas within the broader trajectory of Indian nationalist thought highlighting the continuities and transformations that have occurred from the colonial period to the present day. This abstract also addresses the enduring relevance of Savarkar’s conceptual framework in contemporary India where debates on citizenship national identity and cultural representation continue to reference his ideological formulations. Furthermore the research explores the ways in which Savarkar’s legacy has been institutionalized through political organizations educational curricula commemorative practices and public policy discourse illustrating the ongoing influence of Hindutva as both a symbolic and operational paradigm. By synthesizing contemporary scholarship with empirical evidence drawn from textual archival and discursive sources this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the intellectual historical and political dimensions of Hindu nationalism emphasizing the centrality of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in shaping its theoretical underpinnings and practical manifestations. The findings underscore the significance of Savarkar’s work in interpreting nationalism as a multidimensional phenomenon that integrates cultural heritage territorial belonging and collective identity while also engaging with the complexities and debates surrounding pluralism democratic governance and constitutional frameworks. Ultimately the research provides a balanced and critically informed perspective on Hindu nationalism situating it as a dynamic and evolving ideology whose conceptualization by Savarkar remains a crucial reference point for scholars policymakers and observers of India’s political and cultural development. This study’s analytical framework facilitates a deeper comprehension of the ideological historical and sociopolitical processes that underpin Hindu nationalism offering insights into the mechanisms through which Savarkar’s ideas have influenced political mobilization cultural assertion and identity formation. By examining the interplay between historical context philosophical orientation and contemporary relevance the research contributes to ongoing academic discussions about the role of ideology in shaping national narratives identity politics and the governance of pluralistic societies emphasizing both the transformative potential and contested dimensions of Savarkar’s conceptualization of Hindutva.