Tag: Punyabhumi


  • Vande Mataram Day: Through Savarkar’s Eyes

    Every year, 7 September is observed as Vande Mataram Day, commemorating the pivotal role of this iconic song in India’s struggle for independence. The date recalls the decision of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1905 to adopt Vande Mataram at the height of the Swadeshi Movement against the Partition of Bengal. More than a…

  • Savarkar on Punyabhu: Holy Land or Homeland?

    Savarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview, Part 7; Savarkar’s Agnosticism (4/4) In the ongoing exploration of Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s agnosticism, one of the most intriguing and misunderstood concepts is his use of the term Punyabhu or Punyabhumi, often translated as “Holy Land.” This term has sparked significant debate, with both critics and supporters misinterpreting its meaning.…

  • Savarkar’s Agnosticism: Punyabhu Explained

    Savarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview , Part 7; Savarkar’s Agnosticism, (3/4) In the ongoing exploration of Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s agnosticism, one of the most intriguing and misunderstood concepts is his use of the term Punyabhu or Punyabhumi, often translated as “Holy Land.” This term has sparked significant debate, with both critics and supporters often misinterpreting…

  • The Sacred Soil: Codeelement Punyabhumi, the Sanctity of the Territory

    Savarkar’s coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 4; Code Territory (3/6) The concept of Punyabhumi, or “sacred land”, is central to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s definition of the Hindu Rashtra. While he acknowledges the geographical and territorial aspect of the nation (Pitribhu), he further elevates it by embedding a religious dimension, defining it as a “sacred…

  • Code Territory: The Role of Space in Hindutva and Nation-Building

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 2 ; Code Territory (1/6) In the complex tapestry of Hindutva, the concept of Rashtra, the shared land, more specifically the Code Territory, plays a pivotal role. It’s more than just a map; it’s the foundation upon which the idea of a unified Hindu identity is built. To…

  • The Metacode Rashtra: Geographical Coding in Hindutva

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 1 The concept of Hindutva is deeply intertwined with geography, history, and a unique cultural identity. At its core, the idea of Rashtra – the first Metacode – serves as the constitutive element of the “common land.” This Metacode not only defines the territorial framework of Hindutva but…

  • Introduction: Defining and Conceptualizing Hindutva in the Context of Identity

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was the first to use the term Hindutva (literally “Hindu-ness”, the “quality of being Hindu”) in a comprehensive manner in his book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?, published in 1923. Savarkar (1999:72) defined Hindus as all inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent who met three criteria: These three elements—Rashtra…