The Making of a Village: The Dynamics of Adivasi Rural Life in India

The Making of a Village explores the social and cultural life of indigenous peoples in India, highlighting the interconnected themes of identity, change, and colonialism. It uses oral, archival, and empirical data to redefine the study of rural sociology in South Asia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Making of a Village delves into the intricate tapestry of social and cultural existence among indigenous communities in India, unveiling profound aspects of Adivasi history. It unveils the birth of villages, their demographic evolution, the forging of social bonds, the dynamics of in- and out-migration, and the intricate interplay between the village as a socio-physical space during precolonial and colonial eras.

Drawing upon a wealth of oral, archival, and empirical data from eastern India, this groundbreaking work highlights the interconnected themes of identity transformation, the transition of Adivasis from historical agents to colonial subjects, and their journey from a pastoral paradise to a servile landscape. It also initiates a thought-provoking dialogue between the past and present, illuminating key concepts such as village community, indigeneity, migration, governance, colonialism, agency, subjecthood, rural change, environment, and ecology.

By redefining the study of rural sociology in South Asia, this volume holds immense appeal to scholars and researchers engaged in the fields of modern Indian history, politics, development studies, sociology, social and cultural anthropology, Adivasi and indigenous studies, and South Asian studies. It offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the rich and complex dynamics that shape the lives of indigenous communities in India, shedding light on their historical resilience, cultural heritage, and ongoing struggles for justice and equality.

Weight: 417g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367523008