Short description:

This book examines the nature of ethnopolitics evolving in the Darjeeling hills, located in the Eastern Himalayas. It highlights how in the wake of regional politics minorities pursue alternative avenues to attain rights and recognition.

Long description:

This book examines the nature of ethnopolitics evolving in the Darjeeling hills, located in the Eastern Himalayas. It highlights how in the wake of regional politics minorities pursue alternative avenues to attain rights and recognition. The book provides an astute analysis of competing claims of culture and identity engendered both by demands for regional autonomy and struggles for scheduled tribe status. It highlights the varied forms of ethnic demands often demonstrated through performative and discursive claims. The volume initiates a timely discussion on the discourse of recognition, politics of difference, and alterity which has wider implications and applications to understand South Asian realities.

Drawing on rich empirical research, this work will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of politics, anthropology, sociology, tribal studies, ethnography, minority studies, and South Asian studies.

Table of Contents:

List of Tables

List of Figures

Map of the study area

A Note on Transliteration

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

Introduction: Setting the Stage

1 Discreet Groups and Collective Identity: Consolidation of the Nepali/Gorkha Community

2 The Formation of Ethnic Associations and Changing Ethnopolitics in Darjeeling

3 Moving Forward to Become Backward: Claims for Recognition as Scheduled Tribes

4 Remembering the Past, Restructuring the Future: Demands for Recognition and Politics of Difference

5 Ritualizing Ethnicity, Ethnicizing Rituals: Engaging the State and Performative Claims

6 From Construction to Constitution: Negotiating Multiple and Overlapping Identities

Conclusion