{"product_id":"caste-in-its","title":"Caste in Its Own Shadow: Urdu Stories of Muslim Identity in India - Anil Maheshwari","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCaste in Its Own Shadow: Urdu Stories of Muslim Identity in India\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e(Author \u0026amp; Translator: Anil Maheshwari)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA groundbreaking literary anthology of translated Urdu stories that subject caste-based discrimination and social hierarchy within Indian Muslim society to unflinching scrutiny.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile caste hierarchy in India is most frequently discussed in the context of Hindu society, \u003ci\u003eCaste in Its Own Shadow\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates how caste consciousness penetrates the lived experiences of South Asian Islam, revealing social fractures that transcend religious boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranslated directly from original Urdu literary works, these compelling stories serve as vital sociological documents. Rather than merely recording prejudice, the collection exposes the daily normalization of caste identity, laying bare the deeply entrenched divide between the \u003ci\u003eAshraf\u003c\/i\u003e (noble\/privileged lineages) and \u003ci\u003eAjlaf\u003c\/i\u003e (lower-caste\/working communities) groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn doing so, the anthology tests celebrated poetic ideals of universal brotherhood against harsh, ground-level social realities. By bringing together prominent Urdu writers whose work reflects subtle, often unacknowledged caste dynamics, author and translator Anil Maheshwari strips away the romanticized veneer to present a courageous, morally honest examination of South Asian social history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCaste in Its Own Shadow\u003c\/i\u003e is a crucial intellectual intervention that invites scholars, students, and general readers to rethink long-held assumptions about religion, equality, and social stratification in India.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTranslated Urdu Masterpieces:\u003c\/b\u003e Features classic and contemporary Urdu short stories translated into clear, expressive English.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCritical Sociological Perspective:\u003c\/b\u003e Explores the Ashraf-Ajlaf divide and internal social hierarchies within Indian Muslim communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eImportant Academic Contribution:\u003c\/b\u003e Fills a critical gap in South Asian studies, caste literature, and comparative sociology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh-Appeal Non-Fiction:\u003c\/b\u003e Essential reading for literary enthusiasts, sociologists, historians, and readers of Indian political and social dynamics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"BEETLE BOOK SHOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53908644528411,"sku":null,"price":424.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/2150\/0699\/files\/812JqyvoTUL._SY466.jpg?v=1788929502","url":"https:\/\/beetlebookshop.com\/kn\/products\/caste-in-its","provider":"Beetle Book Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}