The California Textbook Controversy over the History of Ancient India 2005–2009: An Aspect of Hindutva in the United States

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Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • <論文>カリフォルニア州教科書の古代インド史記述をめぐる論争と訴訟--二十一世紀初頭アメリカにおけるヒンドゥー至上主義の一断面

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Abstract

This paper reviews the controversy over the description of ancient India in the history-social science textbooks for public schools in California, the United States. During the 2005–2006 textbook adoption process, two Hindu groups submitted lengthy suggested amendments regarding the portrayal of Hinduism, to which a number of scholars of South Asian studies objected from an academic perspective. The State Board of Education adopted the textbooks which were amended following the scholars' suggestions. The controversy developed into two lawsuits which lasted until 2009. The judges ruled that the challenged textbooks comply with the legal standards whilst the State Board of Education had not complied with the regulations regarding the adoption process, though the judgment did not require the approval of the adopted textbooks to be rescinded. The central issues of this textbook controversy were the Aryan invasion theory, the status of women, the caste system and the polytheistic conception of Hindu religion in ancient India. Though this controversy was concerned with ancient Indian history, it occurred against the social and cultural background of Indian Americans today and was a manifestation, linked with organized movements by Hindu nationalists, of the offended feelings amongst some Hindu Americans that they were being discriminated against by mainstream Americans because of the allegedly negative image of Hinduism in American society.

Journal

  • 現代インド研究

    現代インド研究 2 101-130, 2012-01

    人間文化研究機構地域研究推進事業「現代インド地域研究」

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1390853649769786496
  • NII Article ID
    120005122141
  • NII Book ID
    AA12520400
  • DOI
    10.14989/167509
  • HANDLE
    2433/167509
  • ISSN
    21859833
  • Text Lang
    ja
  • Data Source
    • JaLC
    • IRDB
    • CiNii Articles
  • Abstract License Flag
    Allowed

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