What is of definite interest is the understanding of the transformations that are fast changing the Indian Thar into something of a modern complex. Am conscious of the fact that when one says this immediately one has to go on to define and clarify what one means by modernity that in turn relates to the more deeper question about the historical sensibility that informs such a quest.
So some time should be spent on these terms lest one may be misunderstood. Here it needs to be pointed out that what is of interest is not merely the phenomenon of modernity but also the constructions about modernity, both about its presence as well its absence. These though connected in more than one ways have to be understood as separate articulations.
The term 'modernity' actually is well known to us and conjures up facets and assumptions about nature and human societies dating back to the late 18th and 19th centuries. These are broadly associated with and take its substantive form through ideas and ideals shaped during the European Enlightenment. Hence it is a term that right from the beginning encapsulates the substantive experience of a small region in the globe. Not so small after all as it successfully conquers the imagination and doings of much of the globe in the wild goose chase of 'catching up with the west'.
Well to begin with let us admit at the outset that one is inclined to view modernity and its coming in the Indian Thar as a protracted process and a very segmented and differential process as well. There are spaces where it arrived right in the beginning of the twentieth century as contrasted with where the complex of modernity started knocking less than a quarter of a century back. And there are still substantial expanses of vast spaces and indeed communities who are away from it. This is an important thing to be borne in point and the fuller implications of this we would elaborate later in the essay.
Ever since James Tod, the father of modern travel in Thar, pieced together the map of Rajpootana somewhere in the 1830s-40s the tryst with modernity really began. The fascination of the Rajput princely states towards things western dates back to these days. They were among the first converts who soon became zealous proponents of a particular variety of modernity that was highly selective in terms of classes chosen for this midas touch of modernity
Having said this one may also hasten to add that a good part of the story of modernity marching into the deserts of Thar is well known. What is definitely less known is the manner in modernity masquerades and fudges realities that may be better understood as persisting traditionalism. It is here that one sees
(to be continued....)
So some time should be spent on these terms lest one may be misunderstood. Here it needs to be pointed out that what is of interest is not merely the phenomenon of modernity but also the constructions about modernity, both about its presence as well its absence. These though connected in more than one ways have to be understood as separate articulations.
Well to begin with let us admit at the outset that one is inclined to view modernity and its coming in the Indian Thar as a protracted process and a very segmented and differential process as well. There are spaces where it arrived right in the beginning of the twentieth century as contrasted with where the complex of modernity started knocking less than a quarter of a century back. And there are still substantial expanses of vast spaces and indeed communities who are away from it. This is an important thing to be borne in point and the fuller implications of this we would elaborate later in the essay.
Ever since James Tod, the father of modern travel in Thar, pieced together the map of Rajpootana somewhere in the 1830s-40s the tryst with modernity really began. The fascination of the Rajput princely states towards things western dates back to these days. They were among the first converts who soon became zealous proponents of a particular variety of modernity that was highly selective in terms of classes chosen for this midas touch of modernity
Having said this one may also hasten to add that a good part of the story of modernity marching into the deserts of Thar is well known. What is definitely less known is the manner in modernity masquerades and fudges realities that may be better understood as persisting traditionalism. It is here that one sees
(to be continued....)
No comments:
Post a Comment