The large scale advent of Christian Missions in India at the beginning of the nineteenth century had given a powerful push to the wheel of social change in the country. Consequently, the socio-political system built during the Mughal period was found too weak to withstand the sweep of the utilitarian Western thoughts and practices. In these circumstances, supported by their state, trade and philanthropy, the Christian Missionary Societies of Europe flooded this country with a large number of evangelical workers to win India for Christ'.
The fertility of land, martial traits of its population and proximity to Delhi were some of the factors that invested the Yamuna-Ganga Doab with a considerable significance. No wonder, therefore, that almost all important missions set up their establishments in the region. Incidentally, the Christian missionary not only preached a new faith but also propagated a different way of life. His methods comprised new techniques like the bazar and fair preachings, village perambulations and distribution of books and tracts as also founding of institutions for education, medicine and charity. Despite the feeble opposition of Hindus and Muslims, a good many people from the social elite found the rationalistic approach of the new faith quite attractive. Also, the missionaries endeared themselves to the depressed classes, whose cause of emancipation they chose to fight for.
The violence witnessed by the year 1857 only enhanced the zeal of the two sides instead of deciding the issues once and for all. Once the dust of the event settled down, the government of the day started siding with missions, though not openly. On their part, the missionaries also remained loyal to the Government.
The involved and dedicated work of these missions set apace a great social reaction throughout the country bringing forth a host of reformative and revivalistic movements which eventually laid the foundations of modem India. It is significant that the revised second edition of the book is being brought out when Christian missions and missionaries as well as the subject of conversions have been in the limelight for the last two decades giving it a new topicality.
R.B. SHARMA was commissioned in the Indian Army in 1962 wherefrom he retired in 1992 in the rank of Brigadier. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India on the Republic Day-1984.
Throughout his long service Brigadier Sharma worked in the field of Human Resource Development in the Army at various levels and served on the academic faculties of all the prestigious officers' training institutions; some of them affiliated to the Dr. Hari Singh Gour University of Sagar and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He also served as Principal of the Army Educational Corps Training College and Centre Pachmarhi (M.P.), an autonomous college of the Sagar University.
He has been a regular contributor to journals and magazines on educational and human resource management subjects. His work entitled 'Pearls from Upanisads' has been published. Presently, he is associated with a number of literary and social fora. His current interests transcend the mundane and reach out to matters spiritual.
The Christian missions and missionaries have been in news for the past two decades or so in the country. The November 1999 call of the Pope that the third millennium will see 'the Evangelisation of Asia' has raised many a hackle among the followers of the traditional faiths in the region, particularly in India. In perspective, the oft-discussed Huntington thesis of 'Clash of Civilisations' - civilisations being religion specific instead of being region specific - has initiated a debate among intellectual circles with regard to religious conversions in plural societies. These developments and several others of this ilk gradually have brought the missionary and his activities under focused lights. More and more people seek to know about their agenda, ways of working and sustenance base. No wonder the issue of proselytisation has moved centre stage from the periphery of societal relationships. The increased demand for literature based on ground work and objective studies resulted in the first edition of this work going out of print. On popular demand a second edition became necessary.
In the revised edition both the content and the language have been strengthened though not at the cost of the original flavour. The temptation to take positions on the involved issues has been resisted. That is the privilege of the reader alone. The book covers a century of mission endeavour in North India bringing the story up to the year 1913. Almost another century has gone by since during which India has taken long strides in the political and social fields. India of the twenty-first century is altogether a new nation, peopled by vibrant communities proud of their common heritage and confident of their collective destiny. No Charles Grant, Bentink or Macaulay, the heroes of the nineteenth century India, waking up from their Rip Van Winkle like slumber will be able to recognise the India of today.
A sea change has occurred in the Hindu community during the preceding century. Though it still remains a non- proselytising and mutually inclusive faith, nevertheless Hinduism has become increasingly competitive in preaching its creed and combative in defending its fellowship. Such an attitudinal change has resulted in enacting laws on religious conversions in a couple of States in North India prohibiting proselytising activities undertaken through 'force, fraud and inducements'. The propaganda for renouncing of Hinduism is viewed as goading for denouncing of Hinduism per se and is seen as an element of 'cultural arrogance'. Islam, too, has strengthened its fortifications against missionary nibblings.
The concerned new generation in India is desirous of knowing what conversions do to the national psyche, culture and security. And all this in the context of the national experience. It is my belief that the warp of the 'mission' remains the same while a new technology is inducted in the woof to weave some attractive designs. I am sure, this work will provide a peep into the past for a better understanding of the present. And, that would be my reward enough.
My thanks are due to Anil, my son, for his immense help in preparing the script and once more to M/s Mittal Publications for producing a smart edition.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
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