ABSTRACT
The Conclusion summarises the contents of the book. Literary circles in late-nineteenth-century Gujarat were dominated by highly educated, high-caste Hindus, who played a key role in defining the ‘standard’ and ‘correct’ form of Gujarati language and ‘good’ and ‘useful’ literature. Their discussions had a great impact on the elite notions of language in the following period, though significant changes were wrought upon them by the rise of nationalism and Gandhi. The relationship between language and territory was also recast during this period and afterwards. At the end of the Conclusion, the author stresses that active language debates continue even now among diverse social groups and individuals in Gujarat and India, constantly reminding us of the role of language as a symbol of power and identity.
