Attempt an answer in between 800 and 1200 words of either one of the following questions.

To be submitted by 11.59 pm on 20 Oct 2020 (No extension request will be entertained)

1. How does education in “invented” modern vernaculars explain nationalism in
   India?

   You are expected write on the use of Hindi, but if you want you can also take up any other modern Indian vernacular as your example. You have to engage with the ideas of Benedict Anderson, Ernest Gellner, and Eric Hobsbawm for this assignment.

   You are also expected to read relevant portions from

   • Thomas Babinton Macaulay, Minute on Education, 1835
   • Arthur Howell, Education in British India, 1872
   • Christopher King, One Language Two Scripts - Hindi Movement in 19C North India, OUP, 1995
   • Alok Rai, Hindi Nationalism, Orient Blackswan, 2018

   Keep in mind that you are not expected to read the entire books but parts of it based on what your requirements are.

2. Explain the concept of “invented traditions” in your own words. How does it link with nationalism and the nation-state? Use examples of invented traditions which have become a part of national cultures, and some invented traditions which have not.

   You are expected to read

   • Eric Hobsbawm, “Mass Producing Traditions: Europe, 1870-1914” in his book The Invention of Tradition.
   • Eric Hobsbawm, “The Nation as Invented Tradition” in Oxford Nationalism Reader

Final Submission: 19/25

Overview of ideas

• Some explanation on “Invented tradition” in itself. My definition, how it is created, what “invented” changes, types of invented traditions
• Elaborating slightly more to emphasise the point: On the interplay of tradition with customs as a prelude to Invention for Continuity
• Now, Invention for Continuity: still about Invented traditions, but is in direct relation to how it links to nationalism and the nation state.
• The central link: Hobsbawm’s views on nationalism as constructed from above, and how continuity enables the people to follow that line.
• Demonstrating said link with the Invented Traditions of various nations, and the circumstances they arise in:
  • France as a model of general national symbolism, and minimization of history
  • German as a model of unification against some ‘enemy’
  • The United States as a model of expressing nationalism in a heterogeneous immigrant-heavy environment

Outline

• What invented traditions are:
  • Invented traditions are traditions that are claimed to be old, or are perceived as old, but are in fact new(er than people assume them to be). They have supposed links to actions of the past, even if there were none.
  • Invented traditions are either intentionally created through political directive, or originate organically over time through regular practice of certain customs among people.
  • It is not entirely clear how Traditions are invented, either intentional or organic, as it has not been studied in too much detail. [@hobsbawm_invention_1992, pp. 4]
  • Difference from old tradition: vague construction, strict adherence.
• Three types of:
  • Those establishing/symbolizing social cohesion or group membership in real or artificial communities
  • Those establishing/legitimizing institutions/status/relations of authority
  • Those with the purpose of socialization, and the inculcation of beliefs, value systems, and conventions of behaviour
• Quickly, traditions vs customs:
  • Customs are not tradition, although it is linked to tradition - the decline of a custom changes the tradition around it. How a lawyer’s wig is not a matter of ‘tradition’ until it is no longer customary to wear a wig.
  • Customs come by repeated practice. The reason for their existence is often practical and not ideological, existing for bureaucratic efficiency, which can be changed as practically seen fit. In Marxist terms, they belong to the “base” and not the “superstructure” [@hobsbawm_invention_1992, pp. 3]
  • “Customs” are used often to give the sanction of precedence and social continuity to demands for protection and defence of practices [@hobsbawm_invention_1992, pp. 2]. This plays into a key feature of Invented Traditions.
• The value of Invented Tradition in Continuity
  • A key feature is that Invented traditions are often used to establish continuity with some suitable historic past. Even for invented traditions built on revolutions/progressive movements, there is some historic past that is (has to be) constructed for acceptance (elaborated later). This historic past does not need to be real, and is almost always embellished. [@hobsbawm_invention_1992, pp. 7]. This is something we will see often with its usage in nations.
  • This allows invented traditions to be held as symbols of “invariance” in times of rapid change in social patterns - establishing “time immemorial customs” that can, as we saw earlier, give the sanction of precedence and legitimize change in the eyes of masses. Nominal continuities that have a major impact.
  • “Hobsbawm’s point, however, is not to mock such fictions, but to highlight the ideological importance of at least the perception of continuity with the past.” [@buchanan_dictionary_2018]
  • The use of Invented Traditions for such reasons is not limited to “traditional” societies alone, but also extends to “modern ones”. Traditions are also given up, not due to need, but by intention.
  • How traditions can be invented - parties can make their own ones, co-opt existing traditions in a new light, or rework older traditions outside the boundary of their original imagination. They can even be completely made up.
  • Sometimes, these invented traditions - even those espoused by self-defined ‘traditionalists’ - have a clear break in continuity.
• Hobsbawm’s theory of the nation aligns with Gellner’s.
• The Nation preludes the Nation-State.
• Small group of pioneers, intellectuals are politically motivated about the existence of a state, for whatever reason. Nation has been constructed from above.
• Need to get the masses in the picture too. The new state needs to justify its legitimacy as a ruler (especially when no suffrage). National identification of the people of the state as “of the nation” can’t be forced from above with ideological arguments, do not assume the rational calculation of Individual members. Invented traditions can fake a past. Give abstract markers to shout for without any clear definition on what they are.
• Invented traditions aren’t all, but focusing on only that. Also they don’t guarantee success for the inventor, but the nation lived on.
• Lot of the construction thus is to justify consolidation of political power by classing under “nations”. Requires the linking of National, Political, Social.
• Essentially, introducing Gemeinschaft into the Industrial society, status into a world of contract, normalising the change for people.
• Also used for spreading nationalism, of course.

General Points

• What are Invented tradition:
  • Commonly, claim to be old/are perceived as old but are actually new
  • Can be invented, either intentionally or organically
  • Symbolic use as traditions once no longer practical
• Tradition vs Custom:
  • Traditions come from custom
  • Tradition seems invariant, but depends on custom. Which is variant
  • Consider the customs of a conservative regimented army vs traditions of big game hunters
• Invented tradition for Continuity - intro to nationalist uses:
  • All the time, there is a past for continuity. It is factitious
  • Invention as a thing accompanying any change in society. Tradition used for invariance
  • Can make their own, co-opt, or expand

• …

• Nationalism of the few preludes the Nation-State, ‘from above’. Invented traditions do not guarantee, but provide some support for, convincing the view from below.
• Invented Tradition and Nationalism:
  • Nationalism gets its history wrong to create the Nation.
  • This requires linking of National, Political, Social. Once that is done, nationalists can make use of Invented Traditions to:
    • bring Gemeinschaft into Industrial society, normalising it for people.
    • “make nationalists” through propaganda embedded into new institutions and systems. “peasants into frenchmen”
  • New traditions are dressed up with the garb of “ancient links”.
  • French - alternate civic religion:
    • Secular eq of the church, education for creating masses
    • Public-facing ceremonies, Expression of state power and pomp
    • Public monuments mass-produced as symbols - Marianne.
  • Imagery sans history:
    • Tricolour
    • Monogram
    • Motto
    • Marseillaise
    • Marianne, statues
    • Bastille Day
  • French: non-historic imagery. Nation constructed by education and utilising love for the Revolution.
  • German: only commonality as being unified; extensive “historic” imagery. Nation constructed as in opposition to an “other”
  • USA: propaganda for americanising immigrants
  • India:
    • Nagari script
    • Cultural: Chai, Paneer, Sweets
    • Celebration of religions:
      • Ganesh Chaturthi
      • Durga Puja
      • Santoshi Mata
    • From French Marianne: Bharat Mata
    • From French Flag: National Flag
    • From British: National Anthem