Critical Themes in Environmental History of India

Book info: Critical Themes in Environmental History of India (Hardcover, 492 pages) – SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2020. Language: English.

A first of its kind in India, the book addresses the fundamental questions of environmental concern and enquires into the complex patterns of  human–nature interaction within the discipline of environmental history in India. This book delves into history to examine a number of critical themes, such as waterbodies and water, forests, land use, wildlife and the issue of the history of climate in India. It focuses on the methodological and historiographical aspects of environmental history and raises new questions to open up new windows leading to fresh research questions. The book argues that environmental history would serve as an important gateway to the history of the human–nature relationship, for example, exploring the role of water history would help in understanding the present context of water crisis in Indian cities.  Critical Themes in Environmental History of India is a powerful reminder of the fact that in the context of Indian history it is now necessary to listen to the voice of nature more carefully. Editorial Reviews About the Author Ranjan Chakrabarti is the Vice Chancellor of Vidyasagar University, West Bengal. Professor Chakrabarti has taught history at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and Visva-Bharati university, Santiniketan, West Bengal. A former Fulbright visiting professor at Brown University, recipient of the prestigious Charles Wallace Fellowship at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and Alexander O. Vietor Memorial Fellowship at Brown University, Professor Chakrabarti is an acclaimed historian with a keen interest in environmental history and related areas, including the history of science and technology.

Professor Chakrabarti’s major publications include A History of the Modern World: An Outline (2012), Terror, Crime and Punishment (2010), Situating Environmental History (2007), Does Environmental History Matter? (2006), Random Notes on Modern Indian History (2006, 2008), Space and Power in History (2001), Political Economy and Protest (1997) and a coedited volume Natural Resources, Sustainability and Humanity (2012).