Modern Times by Sumit Sarkar, Permanent Black / ` 895
MUCH HAS changed in the world of South Asian history-writing since Sumit Sarkar's renowned classic, ModernIndia. The present work is an entirely fresh view of the same period. Focusing on three important areas—economy, environment and culture—Sarkar offers a magisterial perspective on scientific discourses, laws and forest administration. Issues related to peasants and adivasis, irrigation and conflicts over land-use are examined, as are agrarian relations, commercialisation, indebtedness and famine. Trade, finance and industry are the other major focus areas.