Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that 'an underdevelopment of macro historical comparativism' remains a blind spot in the theory and practice of cosmopolitanism. It begins with the Irish writers James and Margaret Cousins and examine their Indian journey in pursuit of aesthetics and spirituality. The book traces the footsteps of the world figure and throws light on some of the unknown aspects of this outstanding genius. It explores the issue of cosmopolitan modernity through art, and our figures here are the Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) aesthetician and art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy and the philosopher mystic Sri Aurobindo. The book captures up the life and work of a completely forgotten cosmopolitan, Taraknath Das, the intellectual-revolutionary who strode the world stage for half a century.