Philanthropy and the Development of Modern India

This insightful work examines how India's economic elites have shaped and been shaped by evolving development concepts, particularly during tumultuous historical periods. Philanthropy and the Development of Modern India provides a nuanced perspective.

In Philanthropy and the Development of Modern India, Arun Kumar explores the evolution of philanthropic efforts among India's economic elites and how their perspectives on development have transformed over time. The author delves into the historical context, illustrating how the notion of development served as a moral foundation for safeguarding commercial interests during a period marked by significant upheaval in Indian society. This examination reveals the complex relationship between economic motives and the broader aspirations of development in the nation’s history.

Kumar goes beyond the conventional critiques of development linked to colonial legacies, instead focusing on the shifts in development paradigms in relation to modernity and the national question. He addresses the intertwined narratives of anti-colonial nationalism and post-colonial nation-building throughout the twentieth century, suggesting that development can be critically analyzed as a form of national-modern. The book identifies four key domains of development: civil society, community, science and technology, and selfhood, outlining how these areas have been influenced by the philanthropic endeavors of the elite.

By juxtaposing socio-economic nationalist reforms from the early twentieth century with post-colonial development initiatives, Philanthropy and the Development of Modern India uncovers the roots of contemporary ideas surrounding self-care, self-reliance, and meritocracy. Kumar posits that these elites, often perceived as obstructive to development, were in fact motivated by a desire to foster progress among various segments of society, using development as a rationale for their commercial pursuits amidst the complexities of the twentieth century.