Nullius - The Anthropology of Ownership, Sovereignty, and the Law in India

Nullius is an anthropological account of the troubled status of ownership in India and its consequences for sovereignty and social relations. It examines three forms of negation, such as terra nullius, res nullius, and corpus nullius, and offers a reconnection of questions of property, exchange, dispossession, law, and sovereignty.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: HAU Society Of Ethnographic Theory

Nullius, an award-winning anthropological exploration, delves into the complex and troubled realm of ownership in India, shedding light on its profound implications for our understanding of sovereignty and social relations. While property rights and ownership are considered fundamental pillars of modern law, in India, they often exist as mere specters. Kapila conducts a detailed study of paradigms where proprietary relations have been erased, denied, or misappropriated.

The book examines three distinct forms of negation where the Indian state de facto adopted doctrines of terra nullius (in the erasure of indigenous title), res nullius (in acquiring museum objects), and, controversially, corpus nullius (in denying citizens ownership of their bodies under biometrics). This groundbreaking reconnection of questions of property, exchange, dispossession, law, and sovereignty challenges prevailing narratives and offers a fresh perspective on the intricate dynamics of ownership in India.

Nullius has garnered significant recognition, winning the 2024 Bernard S. Cohn Prize, awarded by the Association of Asian Studies. This esteemed accolade further underscores the significance and impact of Kapila's work in unraveling the complexities of ownership in India and its broader implications for our understanding of sovereignty and social relations.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 9 x 6 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912808472