CANCELED: Hindu Rajas and Biblical Time: How Christianity and Colonialism Shaped an "Ancient" Hindu Lineage

Everyone is invited to attend a free, public lecture with Dr. Caleb Simmons on "Hindu Rajas and Biblical Time: How Christianity and Colonialism Shaped an 'Ancient' Hindu Lineage."

When the British captured the Mysore kingdom from its Muslim ruler, they claimed to have triumphantly restored the “Line of Ancient Hindoo Rajahs” to their rightful throne. In this presentation, we dive into 19th century South India and this colonial encounter to see how this narrative of restoration was a complex negotiation of colonial and Hindu politics and Biblical historiography. Primarily, we will examine the narrative about the lineage of the kings that was recreated in this moment modeled on the lineages found in the Christian Bible that reformed Hindu time to create a “Line of Ancient Hindoo Rajahs."

Simmons, assistant professor at the University of Arizona, is an MSU religious studies alumnus specializing in religion in South Asia, especially Hinduism.

Free