Markets and Identity Community and Public Culture by Anne Hardgrove, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2004; pp xxx+309, Rs 595.
THOMAS TIMBERG This is an eminently readable volume about the sense of identity of the Marwaris of Kolkata, their relations to Bengalis and others, and how these two have played themselves out over the course of the 20th century. It is informed by a lot of social and anthropological theory about such matters, a good deal of archival research, and considerable personal involvement by the author. Readers would do well to read the preface where some of the personal interactions are analysed. Some of the most valuable insights come from understanding how young women react to these identity questions; one of the interesting follow-on questions is how the old men involved really think about these matters. The general issue of community identity and what it means is clearly an item of continuing and current interest. The back jacket conveniently notes a set of other Oxford University Press India titles considering