Volume II,Special Issue, April 10, 2026
Volume-II, Special Issue, April, 2026 |
Received: 05.04.2026 | Accepted: 09.04.2026 | ||
Published Online: 10.04.2026 | Page No: | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.specialissue.W. | |||
রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুরের জাতীয়তাবাদ ও আন্তর্জাতিকতবাদ: ঐতিহাসিক প্রেক্ষাপট ও বর্তমান
প্রাসঙ্গিকতা
অজিত মাঝি, গবেষক, রাষ্ট্রবিজ্ঞান বিভাগ, রবীন্দ্রভারতী
বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ভারত |
Nationalism and Internationalism of Rabindranath Tagore: Historical Context and Present Relevance Ajit Mjahi, Research Scholar, Dept. of Political Science, Rabindra Bharati University, West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
Rabindranath’s
thoughts on nationalism evolved during an era characterized by colonial
hegemony and the rise of aggressive nation-states. While he championed the
cultural and spiritual awakening of colonized societies, he nonetheless
subjected political nationalism to scathing criticism whenever it degenerated
into a narrow, exclusionary, and mechanistic form of collective identity. In
Rabindranath’s view, such nationalism jeopardized the very moral and human
foundations of society by prioritizing power, uniformity, and material progress
over moral and spiritual development. This paper analyzes the concept of
nationalism and internationalism embedded in the thought of Rabindranath
Tagore—situating it within its historical context—and evaluates its relevance
in the contemporary world. Writing during the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, Tagore witnessed the expansion of colonial rule, the
growing dominance of the modern nation-state, and the rise of nationalist
movements. While he supported the cultural and intellectual awakening of
colonial societies, he expressed deep skepticism whenever political nationalism
assumed an aggressive, exclusionary, or mechanistic form. This study analyzes
Rabindranath’s critique of nationalism and his view on internationalism, as
articulated in his essays, lectures, and literary works; in particular, it
highlights his profound concern that the ‘Nation’ or ‘Nation-State’—functioning
as an organized power structure—often suppresses individual liberty, moral
values, and cultural diversity. In Rabindranath’s view, true freedom did not
reside solely in political sovereignty, but rather depended upon the
cultivation of a humane, ethical, and spiritually enriched society. Underlying
this perspective was a far-reaching humanist philosophy that transcended
national boundaries, emphasizing harmony, mutual cooperation, and the unity of
all humanity. | ||
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