INDIAN IDEAS OF FREEDOM Paperback

"Indian Ideas of Freedom" by Dennis Dalton is an illuminating and scholarly examination of how the concept of freedom was understood and articulated by seven pivotal Indian thinkers: Swami Vivekananda, Aurobindo Ghose, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy, and Jayaprakash Narayan. This book meticulously analyzes their extensive writings and speeches to demonstrate that their pursuit of freedom was both individual and political, drawing heavily on indigenous cultural resources and thus offering perspectives distinct from purely Western liberal thought. Dalton argues that despite their apparent differences, a profound similarity runs through their ideas – a belief that true freedom transcends mere political liberation, encompassing individual self-realization and a radical transformation of society rooted in ethical and spiritual conduct. This revised and expanded edition, lauded by scholars like Ramachandra Guha, provides a critical yet compassionate reading, offering a profound contribution to the understanding of Indian political thought and its enduring relevance.