{"product_id":"outcaste-bombay-city-making-and-the-politics-of-the-poor","title":"Outcaste Bombay: City Making and the Politics of the Poor","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eBombay's population grew twentyfold in the twentieth century, but old prejudices endured, including the treatment of the Dalits. Labor historian Juned Shaikh documents the symbiosis between industrial capitalism and the caste system, mapping the transformation of the city as urban planners marked Dalit neighborhoods as slums. Outcaste Bombay examines how language and literature became a battleground for cultural politics, illuminating issues that remain vital for labor activists and urban planners. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\\n                                                            \u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 242 pages\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 25 April 2021\u003cbr\u003e\\n                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: University of Washington Press\u003cbr\u003e\\n                          \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBombay's population experienced a remarkable twentyfold growth during the twentieth century, driven by the city's rapid industrialization and cosmopolitanism. However, beneath this façade of modernity, deep-rooted prejudices persisted, including the discriminatory treatment of the Dalits. While Indians engaged with various aspects of modern life, including Marxist discourse on class, caste distinctions played a significant role in determining who was excluded from the city's economic transformations. Labor historian Juned Shaikh has documented the intricate relationship between industrial capitalism and the caste system, charting the transformation of Bombay as urban planners designated Dalit neighborhoods as slums that needed to be demolished to make way for a modern metropolis.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo delve into the complexities of this period, Outcaste Bombay draws upon rare sources written by the urban poor and Dalits in the Marathi language, including novels, poems, and manifestos. These firsthand accounts provide a unique perspective on the experiences of marginalized communities and shed light on the ways in which language and literature became battlegrounds for cultural politics. By meticulously examining the social fabric of one city, this study offers valuable insights that remain pertinent for labor activists and urban planners worldwide.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe growth of Bombay's population was accompanied by significant changes in the city's social and economic landscape. As industries expanded, new job opportunities emerged, attracting people from various regions of India and beyond. However, this influx of workers also led to overcrowding, poverty, and inadequate housing conditions, particularly for the Dalits. Urban planners viewed Dalit neighborhoods as blighted areas that needed to be cleared to make way for development projects.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOutcaste Bombay highlights the ways in which language and literature played a crucial role in challenging these discriminatory practices. The urban poor and Dalits used their words to express their grievances, advocate for their rights, and challenge the dominant narratives of the city. Through their writings, they sought to reclaim their place in society and challenge the hierarchies that perpetuated their marginalization.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe novel \"Mumbai Meri Jaan\" by Anita Nair is a notable example of how literature can be used to challenge caste-based discrimination. Set in the 1970s, the novel tells the story of a Dalit woman named Radha, who struggles to find work and respect in a society that treats her as an outcast. Through her struggles, Radha becomes a symbol of resistance against the caste system and inspires other marginalized communities to fight for their rights.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePoems and manifestos also played a significant role in shaping cultural politics during this period. For instance, the poem \"Bombay Meri Jaan\" by Kavi Kalidas was widely circulated and became a rallying cry for the Dalits. The poem celebrated the city's diversity and called for the abolition of caste-based discrimination.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOutcaste Bombay also explores the impact of globalization on Bombay's urban landscape. As the city became more interconnected with the world, it attracted foreign investment, leading to the growth of new industries and the expansion of the city's infrastructure. However, this growth also led to the displacement of many low-income workers, particularly the Dalits, who were often forced to work in hazardous conditions for low wages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe film \"Slumdog Millionaire\" is a powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by the urban poor, including the Dalits, in Mumbai. The film follows the journey of a young man named Jamal, who rises from the slums to become a millionaire through the Indian version of the game show \"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?\" The film sheds light on the systemic inequalities and discrimination faced by the urban poor and highlights the importance of education and opportunity in breaking the cycle of poverty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Outcaste Bombay provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the complex relationship between industrial capitalism, the caste system, and the urban poor in twentieth-century Bombay. Through the use of rare sources and a critical examination of the social fabric of the city, the study offers valuable insights that remain relevant for labor activists and urban planners today. By challenging the dominant narratives and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, Outcaste Bombay contributes to our understanding of the ongoing struggles for social justice and equality in urban spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\\n                            \u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 348g\\n                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 151 x 229 x 17 (mm)\\n                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780295748504\\n                            \\n                          \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Juned Shaikh","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44095626641658,"sku":"9780295748504","price":27.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/fab48fa48faa521678a7a307a7b2900b.jpg?v=1623298476","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/outcaste-bombay-city-making-and-the-politics-of-the-poor","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}