The Myth of the Holy Cow

Hugely controversial upon its publication in India, this book has already been banned by the Hyderabad Civil Court and the author’s life has been threatened. Jha argues against the historical sanctity of the cow in India, in an illuminating response to the prevailing attitudes about beef that have been fiercely supported by the current Hindu right-wing government and the fundamentalist groups backing it.

History

Jha, Dwijendra Narayan

Jha, D.N.

Americas

Verso

The growth of religious fundamentalism in India is symbolized by the existence of a BJP government committed to the Hindutva. There is growing pressure to declare the cow a sacred, national animal and to ban its slaughter. This illuminating work is a response to this crazed confessionalism. It challenges obscurantist views on the sanctity of the cow in Hindu tradition and culture. Dwijendra Narayan Jha, a leading Indian historian, argues that beef played an important part in the cuisine of ancient India, long before the birth of Islam. It was very much a feature of the approved Brahmanical and Buddhist diet. The evidence he produces from a variety of religious and secular texts is compelling. His opponents, including the current government of India and the fundamentalist groups backing it, have demanded that the book should be ritually burned in public. It has already been banned by the Allahabad High Court and the author’s life has been threatened.

Religion & Spirituality

Hinduism

Ancient India: An Introductory Outline surveys the major developments in India's social, economic and cultural history up to the end of the ancient period and the beginning of the early middle ages and explains the rise and growth of states with reference to their material basis. The book demolishes the popular historiographical stereotypes created by the Hindu-chauvinist communal writings. It also gives the lie to the view that the Indian society has been stagnant and changeless--a view which was propagated by Western scholars in the heyday of British imperialism and continues to be peddled ingeniously in our own times.

Ancient India in Historical Outline

D.N. Jha

Manohar Publishers & Distributors

Substantially modified and enlarged version of Author's Ancient India: An Introductory Outline (1977). Surveys the major developments in India's social, economic and cultural history up to the end of the ancient period and the beginning of the early Middle Ages and explains the rise and growth of states with reference to their material basis.

Ancient India: in Historical Outline

Ancient Civilizations

Manohar Publishers

Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History

Drink of Immortality: Essays on Distillation and Alcohol Use in Ancient India

Asia

Manohar Books

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Books by Jha, D.N.