Discus the relationship between religion ideology and society what role did ideology play in post gupta society
Answers
SOME BASIC DEFINITIONS
An ideology describes an ideal political system and prescribes the rules for achieving and maintaining it. Those in power preserve and promote the ideology. Ideological writings and principles are a source of law.
A religion explains the creation and working of the universe and sets guidelines for human behavior. Many religions have rules about who should rule and how they should rule. Sacred texts and beliefs are a source of law.
Politics determines "who gets what and why." Policies change over time as sources of power, rulers and institutions change. Laws are made by whoever rules.
Ideology, religion and politics in the 21st century.
Francis Fukuyama proclaimed in his book The End of History that the close of the Cold War marked the world's turning away from ideology. With the exception of Maoist beliefs that continued to guide rebel groups in a few far-flung countries like Peru and Nepal, the age of ideology did seem to be at an end.
However, at the same that ideology was declining, religion began reasserting itself in the form of revivalism in most of the world's major faiths.
Fundamentalism stressed early religious practices and the strict interpretation of sacred texts as the basis not just for religion but politics as well. Groups claiming sacred authority for their political actions now seek to take power and influence politics and policies. Religion is being used in the same way that ideology had been used earlier. Fundamentalists' beliefs resemble ideologies because they claim absolute authority and do not allow for competing ideas or sharing power.
Though Iran is an overwhelmingly Shiite Muslim country (Shiites make up roughly 20% of the world's Muslims), the 1979 Iranian Revolution energized all Muslims. Lead by bearded and robed Shiite clerics, the revolution dramatically marked the return of religion to discussions about ideology and politics. Earlier revolution like those in France, Mexico, Russia and China had all sought to drive religion out of public life. In Iran, the regime of Shah Reza Pahlavi that was overthrown was thoroughly Western and secular and this revolution sought to create an Islamic state. The new leaders were clear about the relationship between religion and politics. Senior clerics had the power to censure politicians whom they thought were misguided and to veto laws that they deemed to be "un-Islamic."
Sunni fundamentalist groups became more visible in the 1990s. The Salafist movement is the most significant fundamentalist movement in the world today. The names of some groups associated with it, including al-Qaeda, regularly appear in the headlines of major newspapers.
Islamic fundamentalism is not unique. Other major religions have produced their own powerful fundamentalist movements. Militant Hinduism has had a large impact on India's politics. And like the Salafists, this movement seeks to increase its influence over India's public life and to spread its message. The rise of Hindu fundamentalism gained attention with the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 1990s. The BJP's promotion of Hindutva (Hindu-ness or rule according to Hindu principles) and aggressive posture toward India's non-Hindu minorities has softened somewhat but it continues to enjoy the support of militant groups that wield considerable power at the regional level in India.
Two important realities about the relevance of religion to understanding comparative government and politics must be noted. First, religion has played a role in politics dating back to the earliest times.The second important fact is that the impact of religion on politics is not limited to the Third World.
The Gupta Empire always provoked about the religion and culture. Gupta family belonged from Royal Family. So they always wanted to improve their culture, art, and religion. That time Hinduism and Buddhism were the main two religions. These religions played a major role over society. Society always maintained every rituals. Women maintained their rituals. They spread ideal culture a month the people.