Modern Ladakh: Anthropological Perspectives on Continuity and Change

Review "...in its most fully developed sections, this volume makes a strong contribution to Ladakh studies in its rich presentation of anthropological data and, more generally, as a survey of current scholarship on Ladakh."Andrea Marion Pinkney, National University of Singapore, JAS Product Description Arguing for the need to situate Ladakh in a South Asian context, albeit not neglecting its ties with Tibet, this volume brings together empirical studies from the region to analyse the change and continuity resulting from colonialism, independence and modernisation. From the Back Cover The modern history of Ladakh has been profoundly shaped by influences from South Asia and beyond. In detailed empirical case-studies the contributors document and analyse change and continuities in this region brought about by colonialism, independence and modernisation. In an introductory review essay highlighting emerging themes and continuing debates in the scholarship on Ladakh, the editors argue for the need to situate Ladakh in an Indian and South Asian context, while also taking into account its cultural, linguistic and historical ties with Tibet. Studies from the neighbouring (sub)regions of Kargil, Ladakh, Zangskar and Baltistan are brought together to make an important contribution to the anthropological and sociological literature on development and modernity, as well as to Ladakh, Tibetan and South Asian studies. About the Author Martijn van Beek, Ph.D. (1996) in Development Sociology, Cornell University, is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Aarhus. He has published widely on development, politics and Buddhist-Muslim relations in Ladakh, and is a former editor of Ladakh Studies.Fernanda Pirie, D.Phil. (2002) in Anthropology, University of Oxford, is a University Lecturer in socio-legal studies at the University of Oxford. She is the author of Peace and Conflict in Ladakh (Brill, 2007).