You may have to register before you can download all our books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Caste is a complex, dynamic, and enduring aspect of Indian social life. Combining the most up-to-date research on caste with a rigorous exposition of its various dimensions-as an institution, as a traditional practice, and as power and humiliation-this short introduction will prove to be an indispensable starting point towards understanding caste in India.
The Indian Constitution is one of the world's most important and longest political texts. This short introduction presents an illuminating tour of the text, explaining not only what the Constitution says but also inviting readers to think critically about the theory and practice of constitutionalism in modern India.
To understand how politics, the economy, and public policy function in the world’s largest democracy, an appreciation of federalism is essential. Bringing to surface the complex dimensions that affect relations between India’s central government and states, this short introduction is the one-stop account to federalism in India. Paying attention to the constitutional, political, and economic factors that shape Centre–state relations, this book stimulates understanding of some of the big dilemmas facing India today. The ability of India’s central government to set the economic agenda or secure implementation of national policies throughout the country depends on the institutions and practices of federalism. Similarly, the ability of India’s states to contribute to national policy making or to define their own policy agendas that speak to local priorities all hinge on questions of federalism. Organised in four chapters, this book introduces readers to one of the key living features of Indian democracy.
India has a long, rich, and diverse tradition of philosophical thought, spanning some two and a half millennia and encompassing several major religious traditions. This Very Short Introduction emphasizes the diversity of Indian thought, and is structured around six schools which have achieved classic status. Sue Hamilton explores how the traditions have attempted to understand the nature of reality in terms of an inner or spiritual quest, and introduces distinctively Indian concepts such as karma and rebirth. She also shows how Indian thinkers have understood issues of reality and knowledge — issues which are also an important part of the Western philosophical tradition. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
India has become one of the world's emerging powers, rivaling China in terms of global influence. Yet people still know relatively little about the cultural changes unfolding in India today. Craig Jeffrey looks at the history of India, and considers the questions and challenges facing it today, informed by the everyday stories of Indian citizens.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)? How did it evolve over the years and what is it going to look like in the future? What are the opportunities and risks associated with AI? Where does India stand among the global AI ecosystems? This book answers these questions and gives a bird's-eye view of the field of AI, with a special focus on India. In clear, jargon-free language it explains what is and, more importantly, what is not AI. It provides a well-rounded summary of the ongoing debates on ethics, regulation, bias, and data privacy surrounding the development and use of AI technology. Using up-to-date data, the book looks at India's contributions to and adoption of AI, as the country has a significant stake in the AI revolution as one of the fastest growing economies.
The Indian cinema sells 2.9 billion movie tickets annually, the largest in the world. Yet, as an economic entity, the Indian movie industry remains small, with an annual revenue that is 5% of Hollywood's. This volume throws light on the history of Indian cinema and the circumstances that saw the birth of one of the world's great countercultures.
This Short Introduction analyses the nuts-and-bolts of affirmative action in India, while sketching out the larger context of and debates around this issue. It covers the 'why' and 'how' of affirmative action, and provides a perspective on where India stands today in terms of group disparities and the proposed remedies.
Since 1947-48, when India and Pakistan fought their first war over Kashmir, it has been reduced to an endlessly disputed territory. As a result, the people of this region and its rich history are often forgotten. This short introduction untangles the complex issue of Kashmir to help readers understand not just its past, present, and future, but also the sources of the existing misconceptions about it. In lucidly written prose, the author presents a range of ways in which Kashmir has been imagined by its inhabitants and outsiders over the centuries—a sacred space, homeland, nation, secular symbol, and a zone of conflict. Kashmir thus emerges in this account as a geographic entity as well as a composite of multiple ideas and shifting boundaries that were produced in specific historical and political contexts.
Hinduism is practised by about 80% of India's population, and by about 30,000,000 people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? This work gives concise insights into the central preoccupations of Hinduism.