Dharmashiksha and swadeshbhakti at the Santiniketan ashram

Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan ashram uniquely blended spiritual cultivation (dharmashiksha) with a form of patriotism (swadeshbhakti), distinct from conventional nationalism. This study reveals how Tagore's curricular design fostered creative devotion to one's 'own country' (swadesh) rather than mechanical national identity, diverging from the political nationalism prevalent in Bengal during his time. By analyzing Tagore's tracts on 'desh' and 'samaj,' the research demonstrates that swadeshbhakti aimed to cultivate a personal, empathetic connection to place and society, contrasting with the impersonal machinery of nation-states. The ashram itself served as a microcosm of this ideal, offering a model for broader societal transformation.

Banerjee, A. (2026). Dharmashiksha and swadeshbhakti at the Santiniketan ashram. Pedagogy as Politics in Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan Ashram, 90–113. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003363965-4