About the Book
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
divides studies on social movements in India into nine categories based
on the participants and issues involved: peasants, tribals, dalits,
backward castes, women, students, middle class, working class, and human
rights and environmental groups. Each of the nine chapters is divided
according to the major components of most social movements: issues,
ideology, organisation and leadership.
Based on these divisions,
Professor Shah 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.
Proposing a logical
classification of social movements in modern India, this book will be
widely welcomed by social activists as well as by political scientists,
historians and sociologists. It will also be invaluable as a text in
courses on social movements.
Contents
• Introduction
• Peasant Movements
• Tribal Movements
• Dalit Movements
• Backward Caste/Class Movements
• Women’s Movements
• Industrial Working Class Movements
• Students’ Movements
• Middle Class Movements
• Human Rights and Environmental Movements
• Conclusions and Future Research
About the Author / Editor
Ghanshyam Shah is an independent researcher based in Ahmedabad.
He is a former Professor of Social Sciences at Centre of Social Medicine
and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. He
was also Director, Centre for Social Studies, Surat and Dr. Ambedkar
Chair Professor (1996–97) at LBS National Academy of Administration,
Mussoorie.
