Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Kim Knott

Very Short Introductions

Offers a succinct and accessible introduction to one of the world's major religions
Covers all aspects of Hinduism - its key texts, beliefs, and practices, both in the past and the present
Addresses contemporary concerns for Hindus such as changes in the use of IT and social media, and the ways in which this has transformed global communications in the Hindu diaspora and Hindu practice
Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series - millions of copies sold worldwide

New to this Edition:

Updated with analysis of recent debates on early India, Aryans, and the Veda, reflecting the increasing politicization of Hinduism and rise of identity politics

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Kim Knott

Description

Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of India's population, and by some seventy million people outside India. In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of this major religion, and analyses the challenges facing it in the twenty-first century. She discusses key preoccupations of Hinduism such as the centrality of the Veda as religious texts, the role of Brahmins, gurus, and storytellers in the transmission of divine truths, and the cultural and moral importance of epics such as the Ramayana.

In this second edition Knott considers the impact of changes in technology and the flourishing of social media on Hinduism, and looks at the presence of Hinduism in popular culture, considering pieces such as Sita Sings the Blues. She also analyses recent developments in India, and the impact issues such as Hindu nationalism and the politicization of Hinduism have on Hindus worldwide.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Kim Knott

Very Short Introductions

1. The Scholar and the practitioner
2. Revelation and the transmission of knowledge
3. Understanding the self
4. Divine heroes: the epic tradition
5. The divine presence
6. Hinduism, colonialism, and modernity
7. Challenges to Hinduism: women and Dalits
8. Crossing the black waters: Hinduism beyond India
9. Hindu Dharma, Hinduism, and Hinduisms
Further Reading
Index

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Kim Knott

Very Short Introductions

Author Information

Kim Knott is Professor of Religious and Secular Studies. Previously at the University of Leeds but now at Lancaster University, she teaches the study of religions, including Hinduism, and researches religious/secular controversies and religion in public life, focusing on the media, conflict and security. She has authored and edited a number of books, including Media Portrayals of Religion and the Secular Sacred (Ashgate 2013) with Elizabeth Poole and Teemu Taira, Diasporas: Concepts, Intersections, Identities (2010) with Sean McLoughlin and The Location of Religion: A Spatial Analysis (2005). She has also produced a website for young people and teachers of Global Education, Citizenship, History and Geography called Moving People, Changing Places.