The Myth of the Holy Cow by D N Jha
The growth of religious fundamentalism in India is symbolized by the existence of a BJP government committed to the Hindutva. There is growing pressure to declare the cow a sacred, national animal and to ban its slaughter. This illuminating work is a response to this crazed confessionalism. It challenges obscurantist views on the sanctity of the cow in Hindu tradition and culture. Dwijendra Narayan Jha, a leading Indian historian, argues that beef played an important part in the cuisine of ancient India, long before the birth of Islam. It was very much a feature of the approved Brahmanical and Buddhist diet. The evidence he produces from a variety of religious and secular texts is compelling. His opponents, including the current government of India and the fundamentalist groups backing it, have demanded that the book should be ritually burned in public. It has already been banned by the Allahabad High Court and the author's life has been threatened.
A meticulously researched, strongly worded, persuasively articulated challenge to long-held religious beliefs, The Myth of The Holy Cow is a unique and iconoclastic contribution to the study of Hindu beliefs, practices, history and customs* Wisconsin Bookwatch *
A well-argued and soundly documented study ... * Choice *
Jha draws on an amazingly wide range of material ... an enlightening endeavour, demonstrating a critical understanding of a popular misconception. * Journal of Asian Studies *
The pen might still be, if not mightier than the nuclear arsenal, at least a weapon worth scanning for, like knives at airports, a weapon capable of subversion. * Times Literary Supplement *
This book may not please Hindu fundamentalists, but its research is impeccable. * The Telegraph, Calcutta, India *
While cow veneration and vegetarianism may be the hallmarks of Hinduism today, Mr. Jha compiles copious evidence that this has hardly always been the case. * New York Times *
A well-argued and soundly documented study ... * Choice *
Jha draws on an amazingly wide range of material ... an enlightening endeavour, demonstrating a critical understanding of a popular misconception. * Journal of Asian Studies *
The pen might still be, if not mightier than the nuclear arsenal, at least a weapon worth scanning for, like knives at airports, a weapon capable of subversion. * Times Literary Supplement *
This book may not please Hindu fundamentalists, but its research is impeccable. * The Telegraph, Calcutta, India *
While cow veneration and vegetarianism may be the hallmarks of Hinduism today, Mr. Jha compiles copious evidence that this has hardly always been the case. * New York Times *
Dwijendra Narayan Jha is Professor of History at the University of Delhi. His books include Ancient India in Historical Outline and Feudal Social Formation in Early India.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781859846766 |
| ISBN 10 | 1859846769 |
| Title | The Myth of the Holy Cow |
| Author | D N Jha |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Verso Books |
| Year published | 2002-06-17 |
| Number of pages | 184 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |