Part of the prestigious Themes in Indian History series, this volume analyzes the historical roots of social oppression and exclusion of the subordinate and marginal groups that have marked the making of identities in the Indian subcontinent. The book highlights how the Indian civilization dealt with problems of diversity and yet did not let go of hierarchical relations. It has contributions from eminent historians like ROmila Thapar, B.D. Cattopadhyaya, Eleanor Zelliot, and Uma Chakrabarty. The introduction by Aloka Parasher-Sen situates the readings in their ideological and histographical contexts.
The second edition contains a new Afterword, which traces the historiography till recent times and brings out the shifts and changes in the study of the subject.