Document Type
Book Review
Abstract
Sohal's book explores early to mid-twentieth century Muslim thinkers who rejected communal separatism in favour of a secular nationalism that upheld a unified vision of India. But what was the ideological enemy of the Muslim secular in the high noon of anti-colonial nationalism? Crucially, secularism itself lacks a stable conceptual ‘other’. Often, this space is occupied by ‘communalism’, a unique and ambiguous Indian nomenclature that is pejoratively and variously ascribed to minority positions, exclusive majoritarianism, and anti-nationalism. As a result, despite Sohal’s careful identification of intellectual differences between the thinkers, the master noun he uses to organise them conceals more than it illuminates.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/23801883.2025.2449880
Publication Date
1-22-2025
Recommended Citation
Choudhuri S, ‘The Muslim Secular: Parity and the Politics of India’s Partition’ Global Intellectual History 1
Journal
Global Intellectual History