Pilgrimage, Politics, and Pestilence

The Haj from the Indian Subcontinent, 1860–1920

Nonfiction, History, Asian, India, Health & Well Being, Medical
Cover of the book Pilgrimage, Politics, and Pestilence by Saurabh Mishra, OUP India
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Saurabh Mishra ISBN: 9780199088379
Publisher: OUP India Publication: December 6, 2010
Imprint: OUP India Language: English
Author: Saurabh Mishra
ISBN: 9780199088379
Publisher: OUP India
Publication: December 6, 2010
Imprint: OUP India
Language: English

The epicentre of the Muslim universe, Mecca attracts hundreds of thousands of believers every year. Pilgrimage, Politics, and Pestilence studies the organization and meanings of the Haj from India during colonial times and analyses it from political, commercial, and medical perspectives between 1860, the year of the first outbreak of cholera epidemic in Mecca, and 1920, when the subject of holy places of Islam became a very powerful political symbol in the Indian subcontinent. Contrary to the general belief about colonial policy of non-intervention into religious subjects, the book argues that the state, in fact, kept a close watch on the pilgrimage. Saurabh Mishra examines the 'medicalization' of Mecca through cholera outbreaks and the intrusion of European medical regulations. He underscores how the Haj played an important role in shaping medical policies and practices, debates and disease definitions. The book explores how the Indian Hajis perceived, negotiated, and resisted colonial pilgrimage and medical policies in their quest of an intense spiritual experience. The author recovers the hitherto unexplored perspective of pilgrims' voices—in travelogues, memoirs, newspaper reports, and journals—to present a nuanced analysis of the interaction between religious faith and colonial public health policies during the age of steamships and empire.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The epicentre of the Muslim universe, Mecca attracts hundreds of thousands of believers every year. Pilgrimage, Politics, and Pestilence studies the organization and meanings of the Haj from India during colonial times and analyses it from political, commercial, and medical perspectives between 1860, the year of the first outbreak of cholera epidemic in Mecca, and 1920, when the subject of holy places of Islam became a very powerful political symbol in the Indian subcontinent. Contrary to the general belief about colonial policy of non-intervention into religious subjects, the book argues that the state, in fact, kept a close watch on the pilgrimage. Saurabh Mishra examines the 'medicalization' of Mecca through cholera outbreaks and the intrusion of European medical regulations. He underscores how the Haj played an important role in shaping medical policies and practices, debates and disease definitions. The book explores how the Indian Hajis perceived, negotiated, and resisted colonial pilgrimage and medical policies in their quest of an intense spiritual experience. The author recovers the hitherto unexplored perspective of pilgrims' voices—in travelogues, memoirs, newspaper reports, and journals—to present a nuanced analysis of the interaction between religious faith and colonial public health policies during the age of steamships and empire.

More books from OUP India

Cover of the book Images and Contexts by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Shifting Ground by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Surrogacy by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Talking Films and Songs by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Not War, Not Peace? by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Rethinking Public Accounting by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book In the Land of Buried Tongues by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Kashmir’s Contested Pasts by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Metro Rail Projects in India by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book The Muslims of India by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book The Hindi Public Sphere 1920–1940 by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Implications of the Philosophy of Kant by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book So Near, Yet So Far by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Arrest, Detention, and Criminal Justice System by Saurabh Mishra
Cover of the book Banking Strategy, Credit Appraisal, and Lending Decisions by Saurabh Mishra
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy