Merchants of Virtue

Name: Merchants of Virtue
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SKU: 9780520390058
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Hindus, Muslims, and Untouchables in Eighteenth-Century South Asia

By Divya Cherian

Series: South Asia Across the Disciplines

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Summary

In Merchants of Virtue, Divya Cherian delves into the socio-political landscape of northern India during the early modern period, exploring the complex relationships between the state's power, religious practices, and society. The book examines how religious norms and community identity intersected with commerce, influencing both individual lives and broader societal dynamics. By focusing on the intertwining of moral economies and religious sensibilities, Cherian provides insight into the cultural and economic fabric of the time.

Format: Paperback / softback

$66⁹⁹

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Merchants of Virtue

$66⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in exploring the complexities of caste, religion, and politics in early modern India. It delves into how social and religious norms shaped the region's governance and culture, making it a fascinating read for anyone keen on historical and sociocultural dynamics.

Description

A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos, University of California Press’s Open Access publishing programme. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more.

Winner of the 2022 Joseph W. Elder Prize in the Indian Social Sciences

Merchants of Virtue explores the question of what it meant to be Hindu in precolonial South Asia. Divya Cherian presents a fine-grained study of everyday life and local politics in the kingdom of Marwar in eighteenth-century western India to uncover how merchants enforced their caste ideals of vegetarianism and bodily austerity as universal markers of Hindu identity.

Using legal strategies and alliances with elites, these merchants successfully remade the category of "Hindu," setting it in contrast to "Untouchable" in a process that reconfigured Hinduism in caste terms. In a history pertinent to understanding India today, Cherian establishes the centrality of caste to the early-modern Hindu self and to its imagination of inadmissible others.

Series: South Asia Across the Disciplines

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Merchants of Virtue

By Divya Cherian

Paperback

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Merchants of Virtue by Divya Cherian is praised for its engaging approach to South Asian historiography and caste history. It is noted for its strong arguments and rich analysis of historical sources, making it a significant contribution that stimulates discussions among scholars in various fields. The book effectively connects detailed regional history with broader global patterns, raising questions about the influence of regional networks on social change while preserving complex narratives.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520390058

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 December 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 7 color illustrations; 2 maps

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 454g

Pages: 284

Collections

Divya Cherian Education & Reference Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality Science & Nature Series: South Asia Across the Disciplines

About the Author

Divya Cherian is Assistant Professor of History at Princeton University.

Merchants of Virtue