In the 20th century colonial India, Hindutva started as a reaction against Western cultural dominance and the inroads that had been made by Christian missionaries under European political control.
This movement also aspired to restore Hinduism to a central place in society after centuries of Muslim rule, under which Islamic ways had impacted Indian Hindu society and Hinduism had become subservient.
Therefore, Hindutva exalts a vision of ancient Hindu cultural glory.
In Hindutva, popular ancient gods such as Rama and Hanuman from the epic Ramayana are therefore promoted as ideals of timeless principles of devotion, faithfulness, chastity, and bravery