For more than fifty years; students and teachers have made the two-volume resource Sources of Indian Traditions their top pick for an accessible yet thorough introduction to Indian and South Asian civilizations. Volume 2 contains an essential selection of primary readings on the social; intellectual; and religious history of India from the decline of Mughal rule in the eighteenth century to today. It details the advent of the East India Company; British colonization; the struggle for liberation; the partition of 1947; and the creation of Pakistan; Bangladesh; and contemporary India.This third edition now begins earlier than the first and second; featuring a new chapter on eighteenth-century intellectual and religious trends that set the stage for India's modern development. The editors have added material on Gandhi and his reception both nationally and abroad and include different perspectives on and approaches to Partition and its aftermath. They expand their portrait of post-1947 India and Pakistan and add perspectives on Bangladesh. The collection continues to be divided thematically; with a section devoted to the drafting of the Indian constitution; the rise of nationalism; the influence of Western thought; the conflict in Kashmir; nuclear proliferation; minority religions; secularism; and the role of the Indian political left. A phenomenal text; Sources of Indian Traditions is more indispensable than ever for courses in philosophy; religion; literature; and intellectual and cultural history.
#912521 in Books 2002-06-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .88 x 6.20l; 1.20 #File Name: 0231123337400 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Where are the Byzantines in all This?By Stefano NikolaouWhile I found Tolan's book to be full of useful information and references to medieval authors I was very disappointed that he did not devote adequate space to the Byzantine Empire. He lumps all the 'Eastern' Christians into one chapter of 30 pages in length. This includes various confessional groups like (Monophysites; Nestorians and Orthodox) and authors who lived under Islamic rule and those who didn't.Chapter 3 deals with some important authors and texts. There is Dionysius of Tel-Mahre; Anastasius of Sinai; the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius; John of Damascus (of course!); the Passion of Anthony Ruwah; Gregory of Decapolis; Theodore Abu Qurrah; Timothy of Baghdad; the Risalat al-Kindi and Theophanes the Confessor. All these deserved more discussion. They are all lumped together without any attempt to distinguish any confessional bias that might distinguish them from other groups.As a rule; authors living in Byzantine territory (thus safe from Muslim wrath) tended to be more critical and harsh than their contemporaries living under Islamic rule. These authors also tended to say more inaccurate things (like accusing Muslims of crypto-paganism).I was especially disappointed that Tolan didn't discuss Nicetas of Byzantium (also referred to as Niketas Byzantos). Tolan knows who he is. He is mentioned twice but you would never know that this 9th century author wrote a full length polemic against Islam. Nicetas tried to be thorough so he used a Greek translation of the Quran (he didn't know Arabic). This work is virtually unknown. Tolan missed a perfect opportunity to introduce this work to a wider audience. Tolan also ignores the correspondence between Byzantine Emperors and Caliphs and the depiction of Muslims in Byzantine historians/chroniclers (with the exception of Theophanes the Confessor).For Tolan; Western encounters are more important. This reflects the intended market for this book. For such an obvious bias of omission I have to deduct some stars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Elegant; thorough; and substantive investigation of a complex topicBy A. J. MorrisTolan's _Saracens_ and his follow-up; _Sons of Ishmael_; are sophisticated; meticulous; and elegant investigations into a complex and shifting collective of medieval attitudes; texts; and sources. His preference for utilizing less-regularly cited primary documents is a marvelous gift; and he readily references other; more 'mainstream' works; which enables a scholar to follow his research trail in a logical and clear fashion. He avoids over-theorization in favor of summation and presentation; both needed and appreciated steps taken while he is writing formational texts in a growing field of study. Any student or scholar working on or interested in the formulation of medieval visions and attitudes towards Islam will be indebted to Tolan's careful scholarship. Highly recommended.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great Introduction to the topicBy AradorSaracens by John Tolan provides a good introduction to the literate medieval person's mindset. Most literate people in the Middle Ages were religious leaders; so the majority of the sources he cites are church leaders. Tolan shows how beginning in the 8th C Syrian Christians were overrun by followers of Islam; most often referred to as Saracens; Ishmaelites; or Arabs.Isadore of Spain had three categories for non-Christians: Jews; pagans and heretics. His typology was taken as truth for early medieval Christians and they spent much time and energy trying to force Islam to fit one of the pre-existing molds.The original dhimmis (second class conquered peoples; Jews and Christians) took a very Old Testament approach. Islam was viewed as a temporary trouble; a punishment sent by God to purge Christians of their sins. They thought that it was just another barbarian invasion which would soon run itself out and dissolve. They saw no reason to learn anything about Islam; but focused more on internal divisions and problems.Once Islam conquered Spain in 711 Western Europe began to pay attention; and saw Islam as a new religious threat to be refuted. Some attempt was made to learn about Islam; and a few tracts and treatises were written against it. But the Westerners who were safe beyond the Alps still had no idea what they were talking about. However when fear of the 'other' was added to half-truths and misperceptions Islam was distorted by church leaders. Muhammad was portrayed as a trickster; false prophet and a practitioner of black magic. The sexual and worldly treasures to be found in paradise were denounced as sin by celibate Church leaders.The Christian dhimmis in Spain and Syria living under Islam and daily interacting with it tended to view it as a heresy; while the intellectuals living in safety branded it pagan idolatry. Finally the Qur'an was translated into Latin and Westerner leaders could actually study it. Gradually a more accurate view of Islam was developed and arguments through reason were enacted to convert the Saracen. Even with the best minds of the times trying to refute Islam through conventional means they were more often than not unsuccessful. Franciscan and Dominican missionaries went to Spain; North Africa; and the Holy Land in attempts to either gain a martyrs crown and a heavenly reward (typically Franciscan) or gain converts through special schooling and training in order to dialogue with them(Dominicans).As arguments through reason failed Saracens were viewed as less intelligent than normal pagans or heretics. If reason was not enough to persuade them then force was deemed necessary. Christian leaders became disillusioned as missionary attempts failed; and as crusade after crusade failed to gain permanent possession of the Holy Land. Islam did not fit into their nice little categories; and finally some scholars began to accept it as a separate religion. Hostility continued to rise as Christian's vilified Islam and the centuries old stereotypes persisted in later arguments. The tensions and rivalries founded by misrepresenting a new religion have impacted future generations down to our own day.
