Temple Tracks: Labour, Piety and Railway Construction in Asia

Temple Tracks explores the relationship between labour, mobility, and piety in colonial and post-colonial Asia, highlighting the interlink of railway construction and anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Labour, mobility, and piety are complex and intertwined concepts that have been explored extensively in various fields, including anthropology, sociology, and history. Temple Tracks, a book by [Author's Name], critically examines the interlink of railway construction in colonial and post-colonial Asia and the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion. In Malaysia and Singapore, evidence of religion-making and railway-building from a colonial past is visible in multiple modes and media as memories, recollections, and 'traces.'

One of the key themes of Temple Tracks is the role of railway construction in shaping the social and cultural landscape of colonial and post-colonial Asia. The book argues that railway construction was not just a technological feat but also a social and political project that had profound impacts on the lives of people living in the region. Railway construction brought people from different parts of the world together, creating new communities and networks. It also facilitated the movement of goods and people, which led to economic growth and development.

However, railway construction also had negative consequences. It led to the displacement of many indigenous communities, who were forced to leave their land and homes to make way for the railway tracks. This displacement often resulted in poverty, social unrest, and cultural loss. Temple Tracks highlights the ways in which railway construction contributed to the marginalization of certain groups and the perpetuation of colonialism.

In addition to the impact of railway construction on social and cultural life, Temple Tracks also explores the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion. The book argues that infrastructure, such as railways, is not just a physical structure but also a social and cultural entity that plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of people. Infrastructure can facilitate the movement of people, goods, and ideas, and can also create new opportunities for social interaction and cultural exchange.

However, infrastructure can also be a source of conflict and tension. For example, the construction of railways in Malaysia and Singapore has been accompanied by disputes over land ownership, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Temple Tracks highlights the ways in which infrastructure can be used to promote social justice and equality, and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve this goal.

One of the key challenges facing the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion is the need to understand the complex and diverse nature of religious practices and beliefs. Temple Tracks argues that religious practices and beliefs are not static but are constantly evolving and adapting to changing social and cultural contexts. This requires researchers to engage with local communities and to understand their perspectives and experiences.

Another challenge facing the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion is the need to address the issue of power and inequality. Infrastructure is often controlled by powerful actors, such as governments, corporations, and private individuals, and this can lead to the marginalization of certain groups and the perpetuation of social inequality. Temple Tracks highlights the ways in which infrastructure can be used to promote social justice and equality, and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve this goal.

In conclusion, Temple Tracks is a valuable book that critically examines the interlink of railway construction in colonial and post-colonial Asia and the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion. The book highlights the ways in which railway construction has shaped the social and cultural landscape of the region, and the negative consequences that have resulted from this construction. It also explores the anthropology of infrastructure and transnational mobilities with religion, and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve social justice and equality. Temple Tracks is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, anthropology, and sociology of Asia.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 159 x 239 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805390169