"Cosmopolitan Past: A Deconstructive Reading Of The Discovery Of India"

Abstract

This research article undertakes a deconstructive reading of Jawaharlal Nehru's "The Discovery of India," primarily examining the intricate cross-cultural dynamics, ideological tensions, and paradoxes reflected in Nehru's depiction of a cosmopolitan past. By utilising the deconstructionist approach, the paper aims to problematise Nehru's image of a syncretic India, shedding light on the complex intersections of past, present, and future and the entangled narratives of nationhood, identity, and culture. The study navigates through Nehru's idealistic representations, drawing attention to the inherent contradictions and ambiguities, while illustrating the profound impact of his vision in shaping India's national identity and postcolonial trajectory. The analysis transcends simplistic binary oppositions of the East and the West, tradition and modernity, instead underlining the inherent hybridity and fluidity in Nehru's imagining of India. This deconstructive critique offers a fresh lens to engage with the influential text and its continuing resonance in the discourses surrounding Indian history, culture, and global identity.