Colonial and Post-Colonial Identity Politics in South Asia: Zaat/Caste Among Muslims

Colonial and Post-Colonial Identity Politics in South Asia explores the colonial and post-colonial documentation and caste classification among Muslims in India, demonstrating how religion negotiated with regional social customs and local social practices while fostering a shared religious belief. It deconstructs how Muslims were categorised into three broad categories and argues that few colonial theories applied to them. The book also examines post-colonial documentation of castes among Muslims and their role in identity politics.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Colonial and Post-Colonial Identity Politics in South Asia delves into a comprehensive analysis of colonial and post-colonial documentation and caste classification among Muslims in India. Through a meticulous examination of various sources, including census reports, gazetteers, government or police records, ethnographic studies, and travelogues, the author highlights the diverse range of attempts and castes among Muslims during the colonial era. The book deconstructs the categorization of Muslims into three broad but overlapping categories: Ashraf, Ajlafs, and Arzals, and further categorizes them into Asiatic, Non-Asiatic, Foreign, Mixed, and Hindustani – Muslim categories. It argues that few colonial theories applied to Muslims and explores the post-colonial documentation of castes among Muslims in various Commission reports, particularly in Backward class commission reports. The book also examines the interplay between these reports and the reservation politics of the contemporary period, as well as the growth of various Muslim caste organizations across different parts of India and their role in identity politics.

This groundbreaking work offers a fresh perspective on the issue of minorities in India, attracting scholars from diverse fields such as religion, Islam, history, politics, and sociology. It sheds light on the complex interplay between religion, regional social customs, and local social practices, while also fostering a shared religious belief among Muslims. The book provides valuable insights into the historical and contemporary dynamics of caste and identity politics in South Asia, contributing to our understanding of this region's rich cultural and social heritage.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032606637