The book Akhand Bharat explores the ideological, cultural, historical, and geopolitical vision of a unified Indian subcontinent, often referred to as ""Undivided India."" Rooted in the philosophy of cultural nationalism, the book revisits ancient civilizational ties that once bound together the regions now divided into modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Afghanistan and Myanmar. Drawing from the epics, Vedic literature, and historical records, the author argues for the idea of Bharat as not just a territorial entity but a spiritual and cultural continuum that transcends political borders. The book delves into pre-partition history, colonial manipulation, the trauma of the 1947 partition, and the challenges of national identity post-independence. It critically analyzes the role of foreign invasions, British divide-and-rule policy, and the religious-political factors that led to fragmentation. Emphasizing unity through shared heritage, language families, festivals, and values, the book advocates for a revival of the civilizational ethos of harmony and dharma. While not necessarily calling for political reunification, it promotes deeper regional integration, mutual respect, and cultural reconnection. Akhand Bharat is both a historical analysis and a vision document for a future shaped by unity in diversity across South Asia.
Dr. S.K. Singh, M.A., Ph.D. in Political Science is currently Associate Professor Deptt. of Higher Education Madhya Pradesh Gwalior. He has throughout brilliant academic career with First Class. He possesses a prolong academic career of twenty eight years, attended a number of national and international seminars and conferences and presented Research papers. He has several articles to his credit published in reputed journals recognized by UGC.
The concept of Akhand Bharat, or ""Undivided India,"" refers to a vision of the Indian subcontinent as a unified cultural and spiritual entity. It imagines a time when the present-day nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and even parts of Afghanistan and Myanmar were part of one civilizational whole. Rooted in ancient history, the idea finds its foundations in the period of the Maurya and Gupta empires, and later during the reign of powerful Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms, when much of South Asia was united under a shared cultural, religious, and economic fabric.
The idea of Akhand Bharat is not merely geographical-it carries deep civilizational significance. Proponents believe that despite political divisions, the people of the subcontinent share common traditions, languages, values, and religious roots, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, temples, sacred rivers, and pilgrimage routes connect regions beyond modern borders. For supporters, Akhand Bharat symbolizes unity in diversity, with a hope to revive the shared spiritual and historical legacy of the Indian civilization.
In the modern era, the idea gained prominence during India's freedom struggle. Some nationalists and thinkers such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and M. S. Golwalkar envisioned Akhand Bharat as a post-independence reality. After the partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan and later Bangladesh in 1971, the vision of Akhand Bharat became more ideological than practical. For many, it represented a lost unity and a yearning for healing the wounds of partition that caused immense human suffering and displacement.
Organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates continue to advocate for Akhand Bharat as a cultural and spiritual goal rather than a political one. Their interpretation emphasizes cultural integration, people-to-people ties, and spiritual oneness rather than annexation or redrawing boundaries. According to this view, Akhand Bharat can exist when the people of the subcontinent acknowledge their shared history and cultural identity, even while maintaining sovereign states and separate governments.
Critics, however, argue that the idea of Akhand Bharat-especially when politicized-can be seen as expansionist and offensive to neighboring countries. It may undermine regional diplomacy and mutual trust, especially with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Such criticism is heightened when maps or symbols depicting a unified India are circulated in political or public forums. Detractors stress the importance of respecting international boundaries, democratic values, and the sovereignty of each nation formed after independence.
In academic and intellectual circles, Akhand Bharat is often discussed as a cultural and historical memory rather than a political blueprint. Scholars emphasize the shared roots of South Asian civilizations in language, art, philosophy, and commerce. Movements for regional cooperation like SAARC and BIMSTEC are seen as more realistic ways to foster unity and collaboration among the South Asian countries without undermining national identities. The idea of Akhand Bharat in this context becomes a metaphor for unity, peace, and mutual respect.
Ultimately, Akhand Bharat remains a complex and emotionally charged concept-part cultural nostalgia, part civilizational aspiration. For some, it symbolizes unity and shared identity; for others, it raises concerns about nationalism and political overreach. In a region marked by deep historical ties but also modern political divisions, the concept continues to evoke reflection on how the nations of South Asia can coexist peacefully while honoring their intertwined heritage.
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