Fractured Communities

Discover a brilliant, deeply rigorous work of historical scholarship by Umar Khalid, published in book form for the first time!

About the Book: Completed under extraordinary personal circumstances while facing sedition charges and having spent time in jail after his rustication from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Umar Khalid’s doctoral dissertation on the Adivasi tribes of the Singhbhum region of Jharkhand quickly garnered immense acclaim among historians and scholars. Esteemed historian Ramachandra Guha praised it as “one of the most accomplished doctoral dissertations by an Indian that I have read,” while scholar Nandini Sundar commended it as a “deeply insightful” work by a “brilliant mind.” In Fractured Communities, Khalid combines rigorous archival research with sharp analytical clarity to illuminate the complex history of Singhbhum’s tribal societies under British rule. Challenging conventional histories written from positions of power that flatten differences within and among communities, this book serves as both a vital historical record and a timely critique. Grounded in democratic values and a profound concern for the marginalized, this inquiry offers urgent contemporary relevance at a time when public debates are increasingly shaped by simplistic narratives of the past.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Acclaimed Scholarly Work: Praised by leading historians and intellectuals, including Ramachandra Guha and Nandini Sundar.

• Rigorous Historical Analysis: Combines meticulous archival study with a critical examination of colonial power dynamics and tribal societies in Jharkhand.

• Profound Political Insight: Features a narrative philosophy rooted in democratic principles, social justice, and empathy for marginalized communities.

• The Perfect Gift: An essential, thought-provoking read for students, academics, historians, and anyone interested in subaltern studies, tribal history, and social non-fiction.