The State in India: Past and Present

Is the state today an offshoot of the pre-colonial Indian state or was it introduced by British colonial rule? This volume reviews critical questions about the emergence of the state in India from ancient times to the modern period. It discusses its role, form, and evolution taking into account various approaches and points of view. Discussing the state in the context of its historical reflexivity and cultural sensitivity, the book goes beyond the critique of the Indian state from Euro-centric viewpoints. It also addresses fundamental issues central to the multifaceted understanding of the state in India. The volume offers significant insights into the relationship between state and society and those between secularity and religiosity in India. Combining critical theoretical inputs with sound empirical analyses, it brings together the insights of an interdisciplinary array of experts from across the globe. Its engagement with a highly topical theme makes this book a significant read for students and scholars of Indian history, politics, sociology, as also journalists, policymakers, and informed lay readers interested in the Indian state.