Bihar and Jharkhand have been the arena of diverse social and political struggles since colonial times. The formation of the state of Jharkhand, which was earlier a part of Bihar and known as Chotanagpur, has been the result of movements for statehood, some of which have not only created a democratic space in these regions, but also brought about a paradigm shift in Indian politics.
Colonial and Contemporary Bihar and Jharkhand tries to capture the complexities of some of these diverse movements. The ‘articulation’ of tribal protests and the problems faced by backward castes have been problematized by the emergence of internal hierarchies, differentiations and contestations. The predicament of ethnic identity and culture in the face of unrestrained globalizing forces in the tribal belt requires further examination. Bihar and Jharkhand also have a rich popular/subaltern culture, which has been overshadowed and eclipsed in most of the scholarly work on this region. This book highlights how popular culture and oral cultural traditions emerged as a site for multiple articulations, of marginalization, as well as resistance and subversion. This collection of essays will appeal to those interested in social history, political and cultural studies and the world of the poor and the marginalized.