Baghelkhand, or the Tigers Lair: Region and Nation in Indian History

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This book explores the concept of "region" and "nation" in Indian history through a long-term study of Bagelkhand - from prehistory up to 1956. It examines the ways in which the region eventually became part of the Indian nation (1947) and then the state of Madhya Pradesh (1956). The author sees region building as a process encompassing a dialogue between the region and external, often centralizing states on the one hand and migration on the other. While these two forces gave the region its distinct identity, they also paradoxically forged political, social, and economic commonalities with other regions of the country subject to similar influences. He pursues the theme of nation building from prehistory, through the centralizing Mauryan, Bupta, Mughal, British Empires to the Indian state. The book assesses the social, economic, and political impact of various colonialisms, rather than merely that of Britain, whose very difference colonialism was part of worldwide capitalism. It examines the regional aspects of power, which opposed but fell before the centralizing initiatives. Illustrated with rare visuals, this book would appeal to historians, political scientists, sociologists and anthropologists particularly those concerned with concepts like "region" and "nation."

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D. Baker is a Retired Readerin the Department of History at St. Stephen's College at the University of Delhi.