Nimnabarger Itihas

• Author: গৌতম ভদ্র, পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায় (Goutam Bhadra & Partha Chattopadhyay)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover

Book Description:

নিম্নবর্গের ইতিহাস (Nimnabarger Itihas) explores the history of the lower classes in India, a subject that has gained significant attention in historical discourse over the past fifteen years. Beginning with the first publication of Subaltern Studies in 1982 and the subsequent conferences and volumes, the book traces the intellectual movement that has reshaped our understanding of history from the perspective of those often marginalized in mainstream narratives.

Rooted in Marxist thought, particularly the works of Antonio Gramsci, the term subaltern (translated as নিম্নবর্গ) refers to the subordinate social groups whose histories and voices have traditionally been overlooked. Through critical engagement with scholars like Ranajit Guha, David Hardiman, and Shahid Amin, this volume aims to present a more complex and nuanced understanding of India's social structures, where class struggles are entangled with the unique dynamics of a largely agrarian society.

The book features nine insightful essays that delve into various historical and cultural phenomena, including:

• The history of the subaltern class
• Gandhi’s transformation into the Mahatma
• The narrative of an Asura (demon) in Indian mythology
• The emergence of the Goddess in political and social contexts
• The intersection of body, society, and state during colonial times
• Violence, diaspora, and individual voices amidst the tumultuous historical backdrop of India

In these essays, the authors strive to dissect the complex and evolving relationships within Indian society, aiming to bring to light the hidden truths about power, resistance, and social transformation. This is an indispensable addition to the growing body of work that examines India’s liberation struggle and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.