Temple Desecration in Pre-modern India and Indo-Muslim States: A Discussion Beyond Historiography

Recent articles on temple desecration in pre-modern India and Indo-Muslim states by Richard M. Eaton published in Frontlilne have contributed to the popular Western narratives about India and Indian history. There are many contested areas, misunderstandings and misinterpretations in Eaton’s delibera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inIndian historical review Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 159 - 192
Main Author Roy, Babul
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New Delhi, India SAGE Publications 01.06.2023
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Circumstantial evidence
Historiography
India
Iconoclasm
historiography
Hindu temple
caste system
conversion
anthropology and history
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Summary:Recent articles on temple desecration in pre-modern India and Indo-Muslim states by Richard M. Eaton published in Frontlilne have contributed to the popular Western narratives about India and Indian history. There are many contested areas, misunderstandings and misinterpretations in Eaton’s deliberations on the problem arising out of the conventional historiographic method. Here, an attempt has been made to critically review some of the arguments of Eaton on temple desecration in pre-modern India in a wider methodological perspective, that is, beyond historiography. The historiographic evidence alone in interpreting Indian history may not be enough in view of the complexity of Indian situation, thus necessitating validation of historiography by careful application of contemporary ethnological evidence, circumstantial material evidence and specific Indian contextual situation.
ISSN:0376-9836
0975-5977
DOI:10.1177/03769836231174662