Golwalkar : The Myth Behind The Man

Golwalkar: The Myth Behind the Man; The Man Behind the Machine by Dhirendra K. Jha is a political biography examining the life, ideology, leadership, and lasting influence of Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. Drawing on archival material, historical records, and interviews, the book examines Golwalkar's role in the development of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the evolution of its ideological and organizational influence in modern India.

Jha traces Golwalkar's rise to the leadership of the RSS in 1940 and examines how the organization developed from a relatively small, regionally concentrated movement into a nationwide network of affiliated organizations. The book also considers Golwalkar's writings and the political debates surrounding nationalism, secularism, identity, religion, and state-building.

About This Book

The book places Golwalkar's intellectual and political development within the wider history of post-independence India. It examines his leadership of the RSS over three decades and considers the organization's expansion and growing presence across India's social, cultural, and political spheres.

Particular attention is given to Golwalkar's ideological writings, including We or Our Nationhood Defined, and their place within the development of the RSS's ideological framework. Drawing on documentary evidence and historical research, Jha also revisits established narratives about Golwalkar and presents a critical examination of his political thought, organizational approach, and legacy.

What You'll Discover

• Golwalkar's rise to leadership of the RSS following K. B. Hedgewar's death
• The expansion of the RSS and its affiliated Sangh Parivar organizations
• Golwalkar's intellectual development, political ideas, and leadership approach
• The historical context of We or Our Nationhood Defined
• The relationship between ideology, nationalism, identity, and political organization
• Debates surrounding secularism, religion, and state-building in modern India
• Historical narratives surrounding Golwalkar's life, influence, and legacy

Perfect For

• Readers interested in Indian political history
• Students and readers of political science
• Readers interested in Hindutva and the RSS
• Readers of political biographies and historical biographies
• Those studying nationalism and modern Indian history
• Readers interested in contemporary Indian political thought

Why You'll Love This Book

Golwalkar: The Myth Behind the Man; The Man Behind the Machine combines biography, documentary research, and political history to examine a major figure in modern Indian political thought. Its focus on Golwalkar, the RSS, and the ideological debates surrounding nationalism and identity makes it particularly relevant to readers seeking a historically researched perspective on an influential and controversial period of Indian political history.