Hindu nationalism

This article is about various Hindu nationalist mobilisations in the last two centuries. For present day Hindu nationalism, see Hindutva.

Hindu nationalism has been collectively referred to as the expression of political thought, based on the native social and cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is better described as seeking a "Hindu polity".

The native thought streams became highly relevant in Indian history when they helped form a distinctive identity about the Indian polity and provided a basis for questioning colonialism. These also inspired Indian nationalists during the independence movement based on armed struggle, coercive politics, and non-violent protests. They also influenced social reform movements and economic thinking in India.

Today, Hindutva (meaning 'Hinduness') is the dominant form of Hindu nationalist politics in India. As a political ideology, the term Hindutva was articulated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923. Hindutva is championed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindutva paramilitary organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Sanatan Sanstha, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and other organisations in an ecosystem called the Sangh Parivar.

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