Caste, Marginalisation, and Resistance

What is it about?

The identity politics of the householder Naths (Yogis), on the one hand, is one of the oldest and most persistent identity assertions in Bengal and Assam. On the other, for an array of reasons, the identity assertion of the householder Naths of Bengal and Assam has failed to draw academic curiosity so far. Since the late nineteenth century, a segment of the Naths, largely educated and elite, has been crafting their identity as Brahman grounded on their “origin myth”, negotiating with the British colonial administration through different census enumerations, as well as internal social reforms. One of the primary reasons for their current lagging is that the Naths never politicised their identity and demands, and did not mobilise themselves in the democratic political arena.

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Why is it important?

In the socio-political context of Bengal and Assam, this book is specifically written to persuasively emphasise the key issues pertaining to the marginalised householder Nath-Yogis. The key areas of concentration revolve around their complex marginalisation processes, resistance, and their distinct identity assertion.

Perspectives