ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book highlights the disparate nature of sub-national movements in South Asia in terms of their contents, programmes, membership and goals. It is based on a brief consideration of the case-studies, in which the shifting bases of sub-national identity, and the trajectories of their movements. The book discusses the implications of this disparity, and argues that despite this, several common themes emerge. Despite substantial evidence of an historically compact Baluchi territory and tribal culture previous to colonial rule, significant differentiation existed within the Baluchi community, particularly in terms of dialect. The political and military deadlock in Kashmir is also characterised by disarray at the heart of the Indian central government's dealings in the conflict. Bezbaruah's study of the multiplicity of sub-national movements in the North East of India provides with an illuminating example of the heterogeneity of sub-nationalism.
