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Ireland and Islam: James O’Kinealy and Wahhabism in India
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Date
2025-01-23
Authors
McNamara, Brendan
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
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Abstract
The purpose of this article is to explore James O’Kinealy’s (1838–1903) contribution to scholarship around Islamic movements in India, while a functionary of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) from 1862 to 1899. It seeks to recover from obscurity a little-known personage and his involvement in significant episodes in the history of Islam and British colonialism in India. O’Kinealy’s situatedness as an Irish Catholic in the ICS, and how this influenced his approach to Islam and his study of Wahhabism, will be closely examined. Serving the same imperial system in India that prevailed in Ireland presents a complex and entangled history. O’Kinealy’s background, it will be argued, influenced his activities as a senior official in the colonial administration. His writings (and translations), directed towards preserving the status quo against the fear of Muslim revolt, evidence a nuanced perspective when set against that of his ‘Anglicist’ contemporaries. Juxtaposing his approach and attitudes against that of the influential colonialist and scholar, W.W. Hunter (d.1900), will highlight his discreet approach and serve to foreground the intricate nature of this history. Though his publications are few, O’Kinealy’s work is unique, and represents one of the earliest engagements with the Wahhabi movement in the English language.
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Keywords
O’Kinealy , Ireland , Islam , India , Wahhabi Ireland and Islam , James O’Kinealy and Wahhabism in India
Citation
McNamara, B. (2024) 'Ireland and Islam: James O’Kinealy and Wahhabism in India', Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 35(3), pp. 263–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2024.2442808