Artisans in 18th Century Eastern India (The): A History of Survival

About the Book : This book takes stock of the socio-economic conditions of the artisans in the eighteenth century India, with special reference to eastern region. Tracing the history of survival of the artisans in the wake of colonial on onslaught, it discusses in detail the colonial policy of monopolisation of production, the gradual demise of artisans economic status and their resistance to formidable European companies. It also explores East India Company relations with their European counterparts. Based mainly on Francis Buchanan Account, Fort William- India House Correspondence and two vernacular literatures, Naqsh-e-Paidar and Yadgar-e-Rozgar, the book challenges many cherished notions of prosperity in the second half of the eighteenth century. The book will be of great use to the students of history and sociology, researchers, policy makers and development workers. About Author : Vipul Singh (b. 1969) is Lecturer of Medieval History at Motilal Nehru College (University of Delhi), New Delhi, where he has been teaching since 1998. He obtained his M.A., M.Phil. and Ph.D. in History from Delhi University. Dr. Singh specialises on eighteenth century Indian history which is considered as a period of transition from medieval to modern. He has to his credit a number of research papers, articles and book-reviews, published in journals of repute. He has participated in many national and international conferences. Among his publications, the chapter entitled "Ecology and Encounters: The Maratha Demands and its Impact on Land use Pattern in Eighteenth Century Marwar" published in the book Resource. Conservation and Food Security (Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, 2004), has been widely acclaimed for its meticulous research. Presently, Dr. Singh is engaged in writing a volume on the environmental history of Marwar.