Pious Labor: Islam, Artisanship, and Technology in Colonial India

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian Muslim artisans used the popular press to redefine Islamic traditions and assert their religion's connection to their labor, challenging colonial-era social and technological changes. Amanda Lanzillo's book "Pious Labor" explores the materiality and cultural agency of artisanal producers, filling a gap in South Asian history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: University of California Press

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the working class in northern India faced a transformative era marked by rapid industrialization, emerging technologies, and the establishment of class hierarchies. In response to these sweeping changes, Indian Muslim artisans embarked on a remarkable journey of assertion, using the increasingly accessible popular press to redefine Islamic traditions "from below." Pious Labor, a groundbreaking book by Amanda Lanzillo, delves into the colonial-era social and technological transformations through the unique perspectives of these artisans. Lanzillo's research uncovers the profound connection between the marginalization of these artisans during the colonial period and the ongoing exclusion of laboring voices in contemporary society. By drawing on previously unstudied Urdu-language technical manuals and community histories, Lanzillo sheds light on the materiality of artisanal production while also highlighting the cultural agency of artisanal producers. This book fills a significant gap in South Asian history, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between labor, religion, and society during the colonial era.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520398573