South Asia's Modern History: Thematic Perspectives - Hardcover

'This clearly written and daringly innovative volume accentuates the international aspects of South Asian history. It provides an up-to-date introduction to South Asia and its historiography within the important frame of a global context. By focusing on the subcontinent as part of Indian Ocean and wider systems, it shows how regional and global forces helped to shape the history of South Asia. Mann’s nuanced, thematic approach helps students and scholars appreciate a fresh view of South Asian social history." -Douglas T. McGetchin, Florida Atlantic University

"..the book is a welcome departure from the traditional linear approach of the numerous other surveys of South Asian history.  Readers focusing on issues of environment and urbanization in South Asia will find this work useful. Summing Up: Recommended." -P. P. Barua, University of Nebraska at Kearney in CHOICE

"What makes this book especially attractive to students and sets the work apart from other overviews is the extensive discussion of ongoing scholarly debates and “concentrated literary review and analysis.” Michael Mann identifies and describes different historiographical schools, singles out some of the major paradigm shifts in writings on South Asian history, and convincingly problematizes the questionable relationship between history-writing and (contemporary) national ideologies. This nuanced and refreshing overview of the history of South Asia as a whole can be recommended to students and scholars alike." -Manju Ludwig, IQAS Review

This comprehensive history of modern South Asia explores the historical development of the Subcontinent from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the present day from local and regional, as opposed to European, perspectives. Michael Mann charts the role of emerging states within the Mughal Empire, the gradual British colonial expansion in the political setting of the Subcontinent and shows how the modern state formation usually associated with Western Europe can be seen in some regions of India, linking Europe and South Asia together as part of a shared world history. This book looks beyond the Subcontinent’s post-colonial history to consider the political, economic, social and cultural development of Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal, and to examine how these developments impacted the region’s citizens.

South Asia’s Modern History begins with a general introduction which provides a geographical, environmental and historiographical overview. This is followed by thematic chapters which discuss Empire Building and State Formation, Agriculture and Agro-Economy, Silviculture and Scientific Forestry, Migration, Circulation and Diaspora, Industrialisation and Urbanisation and Knowledge, Science, Technology and Power, demonstrating common themes across the decades and centuries.

This book will be perfect for all students of South Asian history.