Subalterns and Raj

by Crispin Bates

Subalterns and Raj presents a unique introductory history of India with an account that begins before the period of British rule, and pursues the continuities within that history up to the present day. Its coverage ranges from Mughal India to post-independence Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with a focus on the ‘ordinary’ people of India and South Asia. Subalterns and Raj examines overlooked issues in Indian social history and highlights controversies between historians. Taking an iconoclastic approach to the elites of South Asia since independence, it is critical of the colonial regime that went before them. This book is a stimulating and controversial read and, with a detailed guide to further reading and end-of-chapter bibliographies, it is an excellent guide for all students of the Indian subcontinent.

Genres: History, India

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense and very difficult to get through, due to the sheer amount of names and places you need to keep track of, especially for one such as myself who is hardly familiar with Indian history at all. But the big ideas presented here were worth the challenge, as the book is about so much more than JUST Indian history. It's really about the dangers of colonialism and how its effects reverberate through time, all the way to the present. Death and destruction are only the beginning of the pain colonialism inflicts on its victims, as the loss of history and identity is even more damaging over time. You'll find out a lot of crazy stuff here that will challenge many assumptions you may have had about the area. For example, did you know that the British East India Company invented the concept of Hinduism? Or that India was ruled by said company for much of its modern history because the Crown was too busy terrorizing other colonies? It's interesting stuff.

[Janet Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3
read for HIST 343. enjoyed the direct language and jam packed full of engaging information

[Hafsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of modern South Asian history. The book address marginal or ignored parts of history from the Mughal period to modern times, but also include histories of the elites.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for class on modern S. Asian history - a text book