Oriental Languages and Cultures

MARIO PRAYER

General aims: knowledge of historical evolution of India after 1947.
Specific aims: at the end of the course, the student – 1) knows the political, social and cultural dynamics of the period under study; 2) is able to contextualize single events within a general frame of historical dynamics; 3) is able to deal with critical and interpretative literature on the basis of notions taught by the teacher; 4) can present an argument related to the period under study both orally and in writing, also on the basis of oral and written exercises; 5) is able to autonomously continue his studies also on the basis of exercises in formulating research projects.

General expected results: knowledge of historical evolution of India in the period 1964-2014.
Specific expected results: at the end of the course, the student – 1) knows the political, social and cultural dynamics of the period under study; 2) is able to contextualize single events within a general frame of historical dynamics; 3) is able to deal with critical and interpretative literature on the basis of notions taught by the teacher; 4) can present an argument related to the period under study both orally and in writing, also on the basis of oral and written exercises; 5) is able to autonomously continue his studies also on the basis of exercises in formulating research projects.

Students are expected to have a general knowledge of 20th-century history, and to be conversant with basic terminology related to political and social institutions.

General framework: The evolution of the Indian state after Nehru. From Indira Gandhi’s centralization to the rise of caste and communal politics.
Teaching structure: 1) The years of Lal Bahdur Shastri, 4 hours; 2) Indira Gandhi’s early years and the rise of regional parties, 10 hours; 3) centralization under Indira Gandhi, the birth of Bangladesh, the Emergency, 8 hours; 4) the Janata Regime, 4 hours; 5) Indira Gandhi’s last period and the problem of Panjab, 4 hours; 6) from Rajiv Gandhi to V.P. Singh, the Mandal-Mandir issue, 6 hours; 7) the rise of BJP, caste and communal movements, emergence of political society, 4 hours; 8) structure of research projects, 2 hours (theory and methodology in historical research).

Ramachandra Guha, India After Gandhi, Harper Perennial, New York, 2007, pp. 387-759.

Jaffrelot, Christophe. The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics. London: Penguin Books, 1996.
Khilnani, Sunil. The Idea of India: reflections on India's past and future. London: Penguin Books, 2004.
Chatterjee, Partha. The Politics of the Governed. Reflections on Popular Politics in Most of the World. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.

Classroom and/or remote teaching, seminar, documentaries and visual documents (specific aims 1-3); oral and written tests and exercises (specific aims 4-5).

Attendance is not compulsory. It is, however, strongly recommended as a large majority of students are not familiar with the themes dealt with.
Teaching schedule:
Mondays 16-18 Lab. Didattico Aula 2 (Marco Polo Bdg., 3rd floor)
Fridays 14-16 Lab. Didattico Aula 3
Beginning on: 2 Oct. 2026

Attending students: Two written tests relating to parts 1-5 of the course (specific aims 1-2, 4). Final oral examination with marks up to 30/30, relating to the remaining parts (specific aims 3-5).
Non-attending students: oral examination with marks up to 30/30, relating to the exam reading list.
Marks are given based on:
- ability to identify and contextualize historical processes and events;
- knowing the subject matter;
- ability to approach themes and issues both analytically and synthetically;
- ability to use adequate language.
Attaining the above abilities fully will result in excellent marks. Attaining the above qualities partially will result in medium to good marks. Failure in some of the abilities will result in only sufficient marks. Failure in most or all the above abilities will result in negative marks.

Change in the political system under Indira Gandhi.
Rise of regional parties.
The Panjab issue.

• Attending students, part 1 (22 hours): Change in the political system.
  • Books: Notes from classes.


• Attending students, part 2 (20 hours): from the succession to Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi.
  • Books: Notes from classes.


• Non-attending students, part 1: from the 1962 war to Rajiv Gandhi's death.
  • Books: Chapters 18-25 of the textbook.


• Non-attending students, part 2: society, ecnomics and culture in late 20-th-c. India.
  • Books: Chapters 26-30 of the textbook.