ABSTRACT
South Asia’s diaspora is among the world’s largest and most widespread, and it is growing exponentially. It is estimated that over 25 million persons of Indian descent live abroad; and many more millions have roots in other countries of the subcontinent, in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. There are 3 million South Asians in the UK and approximately the same number resides in North America. South Asians are an extremely significant presence in Southeast Asia and Africa, and increasingly visible in the Middle East.
This inter-disciplinary handbook on the South Asian diaspora brings together contributions by leading scholars and rising stars on different aspects of its history, anthropology and geography, as well as its contemporary political and socio-cultural implications. The Handbook is split into five main sections, with chapters looking at mobile South Asians in the early modern world before moving on to discuss diaspora in relation to empire, nation, nation state and the neighbourhood, and globalisation and culture.
Contributors highlight how South Asian diaspora has influenced politics, business, labour, marriage, family and culture. This much needed and pioneering venture provides an invaluable reference work for students, scholars and policy makers interested in South Asian Studies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|55 pages
Mobile South Asians in the early modern world
part II|83 pages
Diaspora and empire
chapter 8|14 pages
Wrecking Homes, Making Families
chapter 9|13 pages
The Age of the ‘Lascar’
chapter 11|15 pages
Warriors, Workers, Traders and Peasants
part III|29 pages
Diaspora and nation
part IV|67 pages
Diaspora, nation states and the neighbourhood
chapter 14|15 pages
From Imperial Subjects to National Citizens
chapter 15|13 pages
The Production of Illegality in Migration and Diaspora
chapter 16|12 pages
Out of India
part V|169 pages
Diaspora, globalisation and culture