Synopsis Since Vasco da Gama’s so called “discovery of India” (1498) the formulation of identities in India has been inextricably linked to Western conceptualizations. Containing contributions by Indian and Western scholars side by side and covering the period from da Gama’s arrival in India to the present day, this book attempts to explore the complicated processes of Indian identity formation from both an Indian and a Western perspective. Not only the history, language and literatures of India, but also more specific aspects of modern India are analysed as markers of this process. Thus The Avatars of Modernity includes studies of multiculturalism, secularism, Indian film, communalism and even the vastu shastra.