Subaltern Sports: Politics and Sport in South Asia

Description

This unique volume explores sports stories that contain elements of colonialism and show the rise of nationalism and the emergence of communalism; other examples show how the establishment of nationhood in a post-colonial world, the challenge of the regions to the political centre and the impacts of globalization and economic liberalization have all left their mark on the development of sport in South Asia. Quite simply, South Asian history and society have transformed sports in the region while at the same time such games and activities have often shaped the development of South Asia.

James H. Mills teaches Indian history at Strathclyde University, Glasgow. He is the author of 'Cannabis Britannica: Empire, Trade and Prohibition 1800-1928' (OUP, 2003) and 'Madness, Cannabis and Colonialism: The 'Native-Only' Lunatic Asylums of British India, 1857-1900' (Palgrave, 2000). He has co-edited 'Confronting the Body: The Politics of Physicality in Colonial and Post-Colonial India' (Anthem Press, 2004).

"This book is part [of] the new 'Anthem South Asian Studies' series, which focuses on issues in academic fields ranging from politics and economics to anthropology, history, sport, art, and culture. Mills (history, Strathclyde Univ., Scotland) brings together a diverse team of contributors, who weave varies subaltern (domination, oppression) themes with colonialism, nationalism, economic development, religion, and politics while tracing the development, transformation, and impact of sport in South Asia. Following Mills's lead and his prior work on historiography of Asian sport, the essayists offer views of power, self, sexuality, culture, and race--among other subjects--by examining South Asian martial arts and gymnastics (jori), and the region's struggles on the sacred playing grounds of cricket, polo, golf, and football (soccer). Presenting an insightful view of a world seldom revealed to Westerners, this book will appeal to those interested in globalization and cultural and sports studies. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals."--M. L. Krotee, North Carolina State University in CHOICE