Kingship and political practice in colonial India / Pamela G. Price.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Price, Pamela G.

Series:

University of Cambridge oriental publications ; no. 51.

University of Cambridge oriental publications ; 51

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Tamil Nadu (India)--Politics and government.

Tamil Nadu (India).

Ramanathapuram (Princely State)--Politics and government.

Ramanathapuram (Princely State).

Civakaṅkai (India)--Politics and government.

Civakaṅkai (India).

India--History--British occupation, 1765-1947.

India.

History.

Physical Description:

xvi, 220 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Summary:

In a cultural history which considers the transformation of south Indian institutions under British colonial rule in the nineteenth century, Pamela Price focuses on the two former 'little kingdoms' of Ramnad and Sivagangai which came under colonial governance as revenue estates. She demonstrates how rivalries among the royal families and major zamindari temples, and the disintegration of indigenous institutions of rule, contributed to the development of nationalist ideologies and new political identities among the people of southern Tamil country. The author also shows how religious symbols and practices going back to the seventeenth century were reformulated and acquired a new significance in the colonial context. Arguing for a reappraisal of the relationship of Hinduism to politics, Price finds that these symbols and practices continue to inform popular expectation of political leadership today.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-215) and index.

ISBN:

0521552478

OCLC:

32467220