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The identity politics of the householder Naths (Yogis), on the one hand, is one of the oldest and most persistent identity assertions in Bengal and Assam. On the other, for an array of reasons, the identity assertion of the householder Naths of Bengal and Assam has failed to draw academic curiosity so far. Since the late nineteenth century, a segment of the Naths, largely educated and elite, has been crafting their identity as Brahman grounded on their “origin myth”, negotiating with the British colonial administration through different census enumerations, as well as internal social reforms. One of the primary reasons for their current lagging is that the Naths never politicised their identity and demands, and did not mobilise themselves in the democratic political arena.
Price: $166.00
Pages: 240
Publisher: Brill
Imprint: Brill
Series: Studies in Critical Social Sciences
Publication Date:
15 November 2023
ISBN: 9789004689374
Format: Hardcover
"This book brings forth the hidden history of resistance of the marginalised Naths in Eastern India. It is a must read for all those interested in the subaltern history of caste in the region."
Professor Biswajit Ghosh, Former Vice Chancellor and Professor of Sociology (Retired), The University of Burdwan, India
“Kunal Debnath's Caste, Marginalisation and Resistance presents an incisive account of the identity assertion of the Nath-Yogis of Eastern India, precisely Bengal and Assam, which has received scant academic attention so far. He highlights the community's marginality and exclusion as well as struggle for resistance during the colonial and post-colonial periods, and also seeks to understand why despite having a long history of identity assertion, the Nath-Yogis continue to remain in wilderness - socially, economically and politically. That the author himself belongs to the Nath-Yogi community enabled him to attempt an effective cross-fertilisation of theorisation and lived experience which makes the study all the more fascinating. Based on archival research and extensive field investigation coupled with the insider’s insights, this volume, I am sure, is going to be a worthy contribution to the burgeoning literature on identity politics in India.” Partha Pratim Basu, Professor of International Relations, Jadavpur University, India
“Kunal Debnath's Caste, Marginalisation and Resistance presents an incisive account of the identity assertion of the Nath-Yogis of Eastern India, precisely Bengal and Assam, which has received scant academic attention so far. He highlights the community's marginality and exclusion as well as struggle for resistance during the colonial and post-colonial periods, and also seeks to understand why despite having a long history of identity assertion, the Nath-Yogis continue to remain in wilderness - socially, economically and politically. That the author himself belongs to the Nath-Yogi community enabled him to attempt an effective cross-fertilisation of theorisation and lived experience which makes the study all the more fascinating. Based on archival research and extensive field investigation coupled with the insider’s insights, this volume, I am sure, is going to be a worthy contribution to the burgeoning literature on identity politics in India.” Partha Pratim Basu, Professor of International Relations, Jadavpur University, India
Kunal Debnath, Ph.D. (2022), Rabindra Bharati University, is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rabindra Bharati University. Currently, he is working on the politics of identity and marginalisation, such as caste, gender, ethnic, and other vulnerable groups. He has published research papers with publishers of international repute.