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Indophobia is essentially the opposite of Indomania: It often refers as antipathy towards of Indian concepts, in particular Hindu culture, especially in the Western world. It can also extend to include phobias and prejudices against other people from the Indian Subcontinent, such as Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

Historical Indophobia

Trautmann (1997) argues that British Indophobia was constructed by Evangelicalism and Utilitarianism and its chief architects were Charles Grant and James Mill.

The words of first Mughal emperor Babur which he wrote in the Bāburnāma mirror the despise with which India and its people were seen by others:

Hindustan is a place of little charm. There is no beauty in its people, no graceful social intercourse, no poetic talent or understanding, no etiquette, nobility or manliness. The arts and crafts have no harmony or symmetry. There are no good horses, meat, grapes, melons or other fruit. There is no ice, cold water, good food or bread in the markets. There are no baths and no madrasas. There are no candles, torches or candlesticks".

Academic Indophobia

Contemporary Societal Indophobia

Contemporary Indophobia has risen in the western world, particularly the United States, on account of the rise of the Indian American community and the increase in offshoring of white-collar jobs to India by American multinational corporations. Societal prejudices against South Asians in the west manifest through isolated instances of intimidation and harrassment, such as the case of the Dotbusters street gang.

Other countries with persistent prejudice against Indian Nationals include Pakistan, on account of the Indo-Pakistan rivalry since the Partition of India. Prejudices against Pakistani nationals exist in some spheres of Indian society as well.

With the rise of Islamic terrorism and, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Indian and Pakistani nationals in the United States, frequently misidentified as middle-easterners, have become collateral victims of anti-Arabism.

In Malaysia, the Ketuanan Melayu Malay-supremacist movement also expresses hostility to Indian immigrants to Malaysia.

See also

• Indology
• Indomania
• Indologist
• Anti-Hindu

References

• Thomas R. Trautmann, Aryans and British India, University of California Press (1997), ISBN 0-520-20546-4, chapter 4: British Indophobia
• Idi Amin & indophobia:

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1. The Baburnama Ed. & Trans. Wheeler M. Thackston (New York) 2002 p352

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