Italian Scholars on India, Vol. II: History, Economy, Society

This book aims to highlight the contribution of Italian scholars to the study of modern and contemporary India, by collecting a number of essays by some of the most representative Italian students of India. These essays analyse the evolution of Indian society through case studies chronologically ranging from the 16th century to the present day, focussed on an extensive set of topics. The colonial impact on Indian society, its reaction to it, the political and social evolution of independent India, the strength and weaknesses of its economy are put under the lenses of six historians, three economists and an anthropologist. The 10 case studies are prefaced by an historiographical essay which sketches out the distinctive Indian tradition of Indian studies and shows the connection of each of the remaining 10 articles to it.