The research for this book was motivated by speculations about the religious movements that may have influenced the plans and arrangements of temples built by the Hoysaḷas of Karnataka in the period between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It investigates the causes for the accelerated pace of these constructions; enquires about what served as catalysts for the incorporation of multiple shrines within structures; examines the factors that gave momentum to the sanctification of a variety of deities within them; and studies the characteristics of their style as it was manifested in the temples they commissioned. Thought the finest of these are in the Imperial Hoysaḷa Style (in either the Haḷebīḍ or Koravañgala types), all of the architectural output does not necessarily fall into these categories, some displaying a plurality of characteristics from earlier regional idioms. However, the differences between the two are revealing as they serve to highlight the really ground breaking innovations introduced by the Hoysaḷas.

The book, "The History of Medieval India," aims to provide readers with a methodical and comprehensive understanding of Medieval India, aimed specifically for aspirants of competitive examinations across the nation. The content of this book is twofold: 1. Subjective knowledge on a range of events from ancient India, presented in an accessible and concise manner. 2. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) crafted to reflect the depth and breadth of each topic, aiding candidates in assessment and preparation. Designed with precision, the book aligns with the most recent UPSC syllabus and caters to the requirements of State PSC, SSC, and UPSC examinations. It provides clarity by presenting events in the sequence they occurred, allowing candidates to discern patterns, evolutions, and interrelations. It ensures discipline, enabling efficient study and revision. In essence, this book seeks to simplify the multifaceted journey of Indian history for its readers. With chronology and discipline as its foundational pillars, it offers a streamlined pathway through the diverse phases of India's past. To the aspirants aiming for excellence in their professional examinations, this book is a tool, a guide, and a companion. We trust it will serve you well in your endeavors. Best wishes.

The Milinda Panha is, with good reason, a famous work of Buddhist literature, probably compiled in the first century B.C. It presents Buddhist doctrine in a very attractive and memorable form as a dialogue between a Bactrian Greek king, Milinda, who plays the `Devil`s Advocate` and a Buddhist sage, Nagasena. The topics covered include most of those questions commonly asked by Westerners such as If there is no soul, what is it that is reborn? and If there is no soul, who is talking to you now? This abridgement provides a concise presentation of this master-piece of Buddhist literature.

Prologue : Shiʻism, sectarianism, modernity -- The incomplete nationalization of Jabal ʻAmil -- The modernity of Shiʻi tradition -- Institutionalizing personal status -- Practicing sectarianism -- Adjudicating society at the Jaʻfari court -- ʻAmili Shiʻis into Shiʻi Lebanese? -- Epilogue : Making Lebanon sectarian.

Description: The chief characteristic of the typical Indian Mystics of Medieval India was that they did not submit to the control of any sectarian, organization of scriptures, says the author. The freedom in the matter of spiritual culture was non-existant in medieval Europe gave Indian mystic experiences a richness and variety which is not available elsewhere. The author has constructed a true history of the religions and special efforts of Medieval India based on the materials enshrined in the sayings and doctrines of the Sadhus of the period and historical anecdotes about them.

"Sectarianism" is one of the most over-discussed yet under-analyzed concepts in debates about the Middle East. Despite the deluge of commentary, there is no agreement on what "sectarianism" is. Is it a social issue, one of dogmatic incompatibility, a historic one or one purely related to modern power politics? Is it something innately felt or politically imposed? Is it a product of modernity or its antithesis? Is it a function of the nation-state or its negation? This book seeks to move the study of modern sectarian dynamics beyond these analytically paralyzing dichotomies by shifting the focus away from the meaningless '-ism' towards the root: sectarian identity. How are Sunni and Shi'a identities imagined, experienced and negotiated and how do they relate to and interact with other identities? Looking at the modern history of the Arab world, Haddad seeks to understand sectarian identity not as a monochrome frame of identification but as a multi-layered concept that operates on several dimensions: religious, subnational, national and transnational. Far from a uniquely Middle Eastern, Arab, or Islamic phenomenon, a better understanding of sectarian identity reveals that the many facets of sectarian relations that are misleadingly labelled "sectarianism" are echoed in intergroup relations worldwide.

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2017 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: Cum laude, University of Erfurt (Department of Religious Studies), language: English, abstract: This study on the sectarian discourse in Jhang tries to understand the phenomenon by employing the cultural tools of inquiry. It seeks to investigate sectarianism by exploring those sectarian performances, which, inherently, are culture specific. These performances are the parts of discourse. Every discursive position in the shape of a particular viewpoint involves some practices and performances. These performances, according to the newly emerging theories of cultural performance, seek credibility from the audience to achieve a dominant position in a discourse. This credibility is a relationship between the performance and the audience in a particular culture. It is a subjective relationship which varies with the changing dynamics of time and space. Similar discursive formations have differences of structural building in different sets of cultural conditions. The hegemonic status of a particular viewpoint in a particular discourse depends upon the intensity of relationship between the act and the audience in the performances attached with that viewpoint. This relationship is relative, and this relativity keeps the discursivity alive in a discourse. This relativity rather than the absoluteness keeps the struggle alive and reduces the level of inertia in a society. Sectarian performances, in this study, include textual, oral and customary performances. It also includes the concept of cultural script for the examination of cultural sectarian performances. This categorization yearns to explore sectarian texts, sectarian oral traditions and some customary practices. This scheme of research will help to find the cultural roots of sectarianism and will be equally significant for the overall understanding of the issue, which till now, is understood dominantly as religious and to some partially socio-political. Pakistani society has been the victim of shia-sunni sectarian violence over the last four decades which has engulfed the peace of the country by appearing in various ways. Its appearance in both violent and non-violent ways, has affected almost the whole country but Jhang, a district of Punjab province, stands prominent. Sectarianism in Jhang attracted the attention of journalistic and academic analysis. The works of Khalid Ahmad, Tahir Kamran, and Mariam Abou Zahab cover the different aspects of the issue. Most of the works discuss historical, political and socio-economic aspects of sectarianism.