Caste, Colonialism and Counter-Modernity

Notes on a Postcolonial Hermeneutics of Caste

Nonfiction, History, Asian, India, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies
Cover of the book Caste, Colonialism and Counter-Modernity by Debjani Ganguly, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Debjani Ganguly ISBN: 9781134291373
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 7, 2006
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Debjani Ganguly
ISBN: 9781134291373
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 7, 2006
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

One prevalent socio-cultural structure that is peculiar to South Asia is caste, which is broadly understood in socio-anthropological terms as an institution of ranked, hereditary and occupational groups.

This book discusses the enigmatic persistence of caste in the lives of South Asians as they step into the twenty-first century. It investigates the limits of sociological and secular historical analysis of the caste system in South Asia and argues for ways of describing life-forms generated by caste on the subcontinent that supplement the accounts of caste in the social sciences. By focusing on the literary, oral, visual and spiritual practices of one particular group of ex-untouchables in western India called ‘Mahars’, the author suggests that one can understand caste not as an essence that is responsible for South Asia’s backwardness, but as a constellation of variegated practices that are in a constant state of flux and cannot be completely encapsulated within a narrative of nation-building, modernization and development.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

One prevalent socio-cultural structure that is peculiar to South Asia is caste, which is broadly understood in socio-anthropological terms as an institution of ranked, hereditary and occupational groups.

This book discusses the enigmatic persistence of caste in the lives of South Asians as they step into the twenty-first century. It investigates the limits of sociological and secular historical analysis of the caste system in South Asia and argues for ways of describing life-forms generated by caste on the subcontinent that supplement the accounts of caste in the social sciences. By focusing on the literary, oral, visual and spiritual practices of one particular group of ex-untouchables in western India called ‘Mahars’, the author suggests that one can understand caste not as an essence that is responsible for South Asia’s backwardness, but as a constellation of variegated practices that are in a constant state of flux and cannot be completely encapsulated within a narrative of nation-building, modernization and development.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Warriors and Politicians by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Oil Imperialism by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Air Transportation by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Multimodal Stylistics of the Novel by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Sex Crime and the Media by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Reframing Disability? by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Resisting Novels (Routledge Revivals) by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book The Handbook of Forensic Psychopathology and Treatment by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Human Rights in Postcolonial India by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Ethnocide: A Cultural Narrative of Refugee Detention in Hong Kong by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Philosophy of Religion by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Body and Mature Behaviour by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book The Russian Far East by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book The TVA Regional Planning and Development Program by Debjani Ganguly
Cover of the book Private Security by Debjani Ganguly
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy