REVIVAL OF TRADITION AS A POLITICAL STRATEGY: INDIA’S MODEL OF “GREAT CIVILIZATION”

This article explores the role of traditional Indian culture in shaping the modern political discourse of India.The relevance of the topic stems from the increasing influence of religious and cultural factors on political identity in postcolonial states, particularly in the context of global civilizational shifts.Special attention is given to the reinterpretation of key elements of religious, philosophical, and social heritage -such as satyagraha, swaraj, narratives of "Hinduness", and the concept of the "Great Civilization".The aim of the study is to analyze how these elements were reimagined during India's political modernization and how they contributed to the formation of a new ideological paradigm in contemporary India.The article employs interdisciplinary methods -historical-analytical, discourse and content analysis, comparative and sociocultural approaches -to examine the transformation of traditional elements of Indian society within the context of contemporary politics.Special attention is given to the role of cultural symbols in shaping national identity and political rhetoric.The findings.In the search for effective ways to establish dialogue between tradition and modernity in postcolonial India, three main approaches have emerged, each supported by proponents within philosophical and political discourse.The first approach rejects tradition as outdated and incompatible with contemporary realities.The second, in contrast, dismisses all external and imposed influences, idealizing indigenous cultural heritage and often viewing ethnic Indian religions as the core of national identity.The third, reformist approach advocates for constructing a new postcolonial identity rooted in national culture while incorporating and adapting various elements from Western European philosophy, politics, and culture.It is within this reformist approach that the concept of "Great Civilization" is being formed, which integrates elements of tradition and modernity in response to the challenges of globalization and postcolonial self-determination.This model serves as a political tool that combines cultural diplomacy, soft power, and a civilizational narrative.It allows India to position itself as a world spiritual leader (vishwaguru), maintain geopolitical neutrality and form a new type of nationalism -a synthesis of traditional heritage and modern state-building.