Synopsis Communalism, in Modern India, emerged in the backdrop of colonialism. Multi-religious, cultural and linguistic society became the bedrock for the communal politics. Modern politics was different from the medieval times and was based on middle class in every group tried to polarize the masses on communal lines to serve their parochial politico economic interests.
 
This book based on archival sources and contemporary vernacular periodicals traces the roots of communal politics from the late nineteenth century when religious identities were being constructed and institutionalized in the backdrop of colonial challenges. This process just not happened in socio cultural domain but also in political realm where political institutions were used as leverage to enhance specific community interests.