India, Sept. 27 -- Modern Indian nationalism has, from its earliest days, been built on three pillars - political freedom, social reform, and economic development.

The long history of the ideas that helped craft the third pillar has faded away from public memory. This is unfortunate, especially at a time when the old economic consensus is splintering.

Countries are trying to figure out alternative paths that are aligned to their specific circumstances, all against the backdrop of seismic changes in the global order.

Shining a light on the past may help illuminate the way forward. That is true of India as well.

Cut to 1892. The jurist, public intellectual and social reformer Mahadev Govind Ranade gave a speech in Pune on the principles...