Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy

Dirk H. A. Kolff, 2002

Overview

This work examines an aspect of the ethnohistory of North Indian peasant society, focusing on the significance of its military labor market. It explores how this market influenced state and sect formation, social change, and the survival strategies of villages in Hindustan. The study traces the history of the British Indian sepoy back to the fifteenth century, connecting it to India's medieval past. From an anthropological perspective, it highlights the importance of fluid peasant identities and alliances over strictly hierarchical caste structures in North Indian politics.

Who it's for

• Students and researchers of Indian history and ethnography.
• Individuals interested in military history and social change.
• Those studying peasant societies and political structures.

Key features

• Paperback edition
• Published in 2002
• 236 pages
• ISBN: 9780521523059
• Published by Cambridge Academ