Gods Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity by Manu S. Pillai, Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar

The narrative unfolds through centuries of ideas and power, showing how missionary perspectives intersected with Hindu practice, sometimes clashing, sometimes catalyzing deeper insight. Gods, Guns & Missionaries weaves together the voices of maharajahs, poets, reformers, revolutionaries, and philosophers, painting a rich picture of the social forces that shaped religion and politics under colonial rule. The chapters move with clear pace, balancing milestones with thematic threads—identity, nationalism, reform—so readers gain both a broad view and meaningful details.

• Thorough exploration of how European missionaries influenced and tested Hindu identity from the 16th century onward
• Vivid portraits of maharajahs, poets, revolutionaries, and philosophers shaping ideas and culture
• A nuanced account of colonial influence and the birth of Hindu nationalism
• Narrative-driven, readable prose that blends political history with cultural analysis
• Accessible scholarship that invites students and general readers to rethink religion, empire, and identity

After turning the final page of Gods, Guns & Missionaries, readers are better equipped to understand how modern Hindu identity was forged at the crossroads of belief, empire, and culture. It leaves you with a nuanced perspective that respects complexity, invites curiosity, and offers lasting insight into how religion and history shape the world today.