Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy: The Ethnohistory of the Military Labour Market of Hindustan, 1450–1850 (University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, Series Number 43)

Kolff, Dirk H. A.

ISBN 10: 0521523052 / ISBN 13: 9780521523059

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2002

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9780521523059

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy: The Ethnohistory of the Military Labour Market of Hindustan, 1450?1850 (University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, Series Number 43)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521523052
• ISBN 13: 9780521523059
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

This is a study of an aspect of the ethnohistory of North Indian peasant society: the importance of its military labor market for state and sect formation, for social change and for the energetic survival strategies of the village of Hindustan. It traces the history of the British Indian sepoy back to the fifteenth century, firmly rooting him in India's medieval past. It also shows that, from the anthropological point of view, it was not the hierarchically arranged castes, but rather the multiple alliances and fluid identities of the peasantry that were the central phenomena of North Indian politics and decision making.

Book Description

This book studies the importance of North India's military labour market for state and sect formation, social change and the survival strategies of Hindustani villages, and shows how North Indian politics and decision making reflected the multiple alliances and fluid identities of the peasantry.