Subalterns and Sovereigns

About this book

"In the popular imagmation, Bastar in Madhya Pradesh represents the frontier between 'civilization' and tribal society. The occasional echoes of discontent which filter through are posed as a conflict between development or integration versus anti-development." "Subalterns and Sovereigns throws new light on these issues by exploring the expansion of the state in Bastar over the past century and a half. By focusing on the history of resistance to colonialism, the author argues for a rethinking of the debate. Areas like Bastar have been integrated for much longer than is commonly thought - the question is, on what terms? How have these terms changed over time? What has been the role of anthropology and law in this process?" "Challenging dominant theories of kingship, this book explores the transformation of the polity under indirect rule as well as in independent India. It documents the growing restrictions on popular access to land and forest and the multiple historical understandings that shaped the encounter between different actors."--BOOK JACKET.