Caste, Occupation and Politics on the Ganges: Passages of Resistance

by Assa Doron

This intriguing anthropological study investigates how the boatmen of Banaras have repositioned themselves within the traditional social organization and used their privileged position on the river to contest upper-caste and state domination. Assa Doron examines the evolution of the boatmen community, drawing on a variety of sources to illuminate the cultural politics of social and economic inequality in contemporary India. Caste, Occupation and Politics on the Ganges offers insight into recent debates about the cultural and historical forms of social practice and resistance at the juncture between tradition and the global economy, and will therefore appeal not only to anthropologists, but to anyone working in the field of development studies, globalization, religion, politics and cultural studies.

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Nallasivan V.]

A brilliant little book on boatmen community in Varanasi and how they navigate the complex caste and state systems for their survival. Academic treatment but very readabale