Social Movements in India
A Review of Literature
- Ghanshyam Shah - Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Wassenaar
Social movements primarily take the form of non-institutionalised collective political action which strive for political and/or social change. While India has witnessed many such movements over the centuries, it is only recently that scholars have begun to study them in depth. This thoroughly revised and updated version of a seminal book critically examines and reviews the literature concerning social movements in India from 1857 to the present. In the process he discusses the theoretical issues raised by various scholars while analysing major trends in different movements. In conclusion, he suggests areas for future research.
The book…presents a scientific analysis of 10 social movements including peasant, tribal, dalit, backward class, women, student, industrial workers, middle class, human rights and environment movements in India. Each chapter of the book is followed by a comprehensive bibliography which may be useful for researchers working in the area of social movements. The concluding chapter of the book provides deep insight into the research gaps in the study of social movements…. Various aspects of peasant movements in India have been examined in detail…. The work is perhaps the best reference book for researchers working on the various aspects of social movements in India.
Professor Shah deserves to be richly congratulated on his painstaking intellectual effort in giving us this invaluable reference tool.
...an important contribution to the understanding of social movements in India.