Sikkim has been a region of anthropological interest since the 1930s when Geoffrey Gorer and John Morris did their fieldwork among the Lepchas of Dzongu, north Sikkim. While it was mentioned in various writings of travellers and administrators during the British period, there is a dearth of literature even today on the rich heritage of Sikkim. This collection of twenty-five essays presented first at the international conference on Cultural Heritage of Sikkim, organized by the Department of Anthropology, Sikkim University, Gangtok goes a long way in breaching this gap. The book will be of immense interest to scholars and students of Anthropology, Sociology and Cultural Studies and will lead to new research on the people and the places of Sikkim and India’s North-East. Please note: This title is co-published with Manohar Publishers, New Delhi. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
This book, Sons of Sikkim: The Rise and Fall of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim, is not a comprehensive history of Sikkim; it is only a brief history of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty, which ruled the former Kingdom of Sikkim for more than 300 years (1642-1975). The main purpose of writing this book is to give the ordinary people – in Sikkim and elsewhere – a glimpse of Sikkim’s history: its origin in the 13th century, advent of the Namgyal Dynasty in mid-17th century, invasion of neighbouring countries in the 18th and 19th centuries, and finally, the emergence of the kingdom as a democracy in the 20th century, leading ultimately to its present status – the 22nd State of India. There are very few books dealing on the above subjects in great detail in one book. Most books on Sikkim’s history and politics are either one-sided or fail to present a holistic view of Sikkim. A book such as this is perhaps written for the first time by a Sikkimese and from the Sikkimese perspective. History is not always written by the victors; at times, as in this case, it is written by its victims. Empires fall, civilizations crumble but the human spirit, which fights against all kinds of oppression and exploitation, cannot be extinguished so easily. More than anything else, the story of the Sons of Sikkim is a story worth telling; a story of a small Himalayan kingdom and its people’s struggle to survive in the face of great odds.
The Rough Guide to India is the most comprehensive travel guide to this fascinating country, with knowledgable descriptions of its stunning temples, mosques, museums and other sights. There are detailed listings of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife options to suit all budgets, as well as clear guidance through the maze of Indian transportation links. These features are accurately marked on attractively designed maps of all the states, major cities and other areas of interest to travellers, from Delhi's Paharganj to Havelock Island in the Andamans. Add to this superb photography showing a selection of India's highlights and three sections covering the themes of handicrafts, Bollywood and sacred places. Many practical issues such as social and etiquette tips are given in the opening Basics section, while Contexts gives a rich background in the country's history, religions, wildlife and some handy assistance with the predominant language, Hindi.
This book provides detailed information on the various ethnic fermented foods and beverages of India. India is home to a diverse food culture comprising fermented and non-fermented ethnic foods and alcoholic beverages. More than 350 different types of familiar, less-familiar and rare ethnic fermented foods and alcoholic beverages are traditionally prepared by the country’s diverse ethnic groups, and include alcoholic, milk, vegetable, bamboo, legume, meat, fish, and cereal based beverages. Most of the Indian ethnic fermented foods are naturally fermented, whereas the majority of the alcoholic beverages have been prepared using dry starter culture and the ‘back-sloping’ method for the past 6,000 years. A broad range of culturable and unculturable microbiomes and mycobiomes are associated with the fermentation and production of ethnic foods and alcoholic drinks in India. The book begins with detailed chapters on various aspects including food habits, dietary culture, and the history, microbiology and health benefits of fermented Indian food and beverages. Subsequent chapters describe unique and region-specific ethnic fermented foods and beverages from all 28 states and 9 union territories. In turn the classification of various ethnic fermented foods and beverages, their traditional methods of preparation, culinary practices and mode of consumption, socio-economy, ethnic values, microbiology, food safety, nutritional value, and process optimization in some foods are discussed in details with original pictures. In closing, the book addresses the medicinal properties of the fermented food products and their health benefits, together with corresponding safety regulations.
The Routledge Handbook of Highland Asia is the first comprehensive and critical overview of the ethnographic and anthropological work in Highland Asia over the past half a century. Opening up a grand new space for critical engagement, the handbook presents Highland Asia as a world-region that cuts across the traditional divides inherited from colonial and Cold War area divisions - the Indian Subcontinent/South Asia, Southeast Asia, China/East Asia, and Central Asia. Thirty-two chapters assess the history of research, identify ethnographic trends, and evaluate a range of analytical themes that developed in particular settings of Highland Asia. They cover varied landscapes and communities, from Kyrgyzstan to India, from Bhutan to Vietnam and bring local voices and narratives relating trade and tribute, ritual and resistance, pilgrimage and prophecy, modernity and marginalization, capital and cosmos to the fore. The handbook shows that for millennia, Highland Asians have connected far-flung regions through movements of peoples, goods and ideas, and at all times have been the enactors, repositories, and mediators of world-historical processes. Taken together, the contributors and chapters subvert dominant lowland narratives by privileging primarily highland vantages that reveal Highland Asia as an ecumune and prism that refracts and generates global history, social theory, and human imagination. In the currently unfolding Asian Century, this compels us to reorient and re-envision Highland Asia, in ethnography, in theory, and in the connections between this world-region, made of hills, highlands and mountains, and a planetary context. The handbook reveals both regional commonalities and diversities, generalities and specificities, and a broad orientation to key themes in the region. An indispensable reference work, this handbook fills a significant gap in the literature and will be of interest to academics, researchers and students interested in Highland Asia, Zomia Studies, Anthropology, Comparative Politics, Conceptual History and Sociology, Southeast Asian Studies, Central Asian Studies and South Asian Studies as well as Asian Studies in general.
The Third Revised And Enlarged Edition Of The Directory Of Libraries In India Contains Much Larger Number Of Addresses Of Libraries In India. Special Chapters Have Been Added On Addresses Of Institutions Offering Courses On Important Subjects Like Management, Medicine And Nursing, Engineering And Technology, Architecture, Law, Sports Etc.It Is Hoped That The Directory In Its Present Form Would Be Found Highly Useful By Publishers And Booksellers In Mailing Their Publicity Material. The Directory Would Also Be Useful To Librarians And Others Concerned With Educational Institutions And Organisations For Getting Information About Libraries In India.
"Rhododendrons of Singalila National Park: A Field Guide" is a comprehensive and meticulously crafted book that serves as an essential companion for exploring the enchanting world of an iconic rhododendrons of Singalila National Park. This guidebook begins with a historical overview of the genus discussing global distribution and the Indian perspective. It provides identification keys, detailed botanical descriptions, field identification, and illustrations based on live specimens of 21 taxa including a new species and variety discovered within the park. GPS locations of rare and endemic taxa are provided. Additionally, it also includes information on the history of the national park, vegetation, ecology, and trek routes are described in detail to understand the study area. The book examines the threats faced by rhododendrons in the park and proposes conservation measures. It will be an invaluable resource to botanists, conservationists, researchers, and plant lovers.
