The religious landscape of South Asia is complex and fascinating. While existing literature tends to focus on the majority religions of Hinduism and Buddhism; much less attention is given to Jainism; Sikhism; Islam or Christianity. While not nelecting the majority traditions; this valuable resource also explores the important role which the minority traditions play in the religious life of the subcontinent; covering popular as well as elite expressions of religious faith. By examining the realities of religious life; and the ways in which the traditions are practised on the ground; this book provides an illuminating introduction to religion in South Asia.
#462809 in Books 2007-10-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .88 x 6.34 x 9.13l; 1.35 #File Name: 0415326079408 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read and got me through a course titled the ...By EricThis book provides much needed history of the Middle East region to fully understand the dynamics and challenges. Great read and got me through a course titled the same.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. PERFECTBy rss2407I received the textbook in great time and the same condition as stated on the advertisement. Keep up the great work!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. good overview of political islamBy BruceThis is a first rate overview and summary of political islam; mainly in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. It summarizes the main movements in numerous countries/areas; and attempts to draw out themes with respect to the various interations between "Islamic" movements and political interaction within these areas and countries; as well as in the broader approach taken by the more global Islamic movements. It is an overview; and while it cites basic readings; secondary and occasionally primary sources; it does not delve deeply into the theoretical basis of political islam; or into the minutia of the history of these movements. However; the bibliography does provide a good source of references for furthur reading. The book is is not exhausive: for example there is not much on the Islamic movements of India or what was Soviet Central Asia. It does presuppose a familiarity with Islam; in its various forms; and the recent (18th through 21st)century history of the Middle East and Islamic World. I detect no major bias: this is not a polemic; but a serious attempt at organizing and synthesizing a large body of information into a concise and readable form. With these caveats; I strongly recommend this book as a suitable introduction to Political Islam.
