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Ancient Epics in the Television Age: Religious Identity and the Rise of Hindu Nationalism in India

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Dean

    (University of Michigan)

  • Saia, Alessandro

    (University of Bologna)

  • Kovvuri, Akhila

    (Stanford University)

  • Ahmed, Resuf

    (Stanford University)

  • Brimble, Paul

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

How does strengthened religious identity affect society and politics? We study the impact of "Ramayan," the massively popular televised version of the Hindu epic. We conduct difference-in-differences analyses, measuring Ramayan exposure with TV signal strength in Indian localities at the time of airing in 1987. Localities with higher Ramayan exposure saw persistently strengthened Hindu religious identity, measured by the names given to newborns; increases in Hindu-Muslim communal violence during the Hindu-nationalist mobilization of the early 1990s; and longer-run increases in electoral success for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. A battery of tests indicates these effects reflect exposure to Ramayan specifically, rather than television generally. Areas with greater exposure also saw increased presence of Hindu religious schools, a potential channel behind the long-run persistence of effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Dean & Saia, Alessandro & Kovvuri, Akhila & Ahmed, Resuf & Brimble, Paul, 2026. "Ancient Epics in the Television Age: Religious Identity and the Rise of Hindu Nationalism in India," IDEA Working Papers 2, International Development Economics Association (IDEA).
    • Handle: RePEc:idd:wpaper:2
    DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21904880
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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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