The Politics of Ethnicity in India Nepal and China

The indigenous population represent an important component of Indian and Himalayan civilizations. This book reviews the social, cultural and political processes that have shaped indigenous societies in India, Nepal and China in recent years. The ethnic minorities, legally recognized in India and Nepal, have emerged as powerful groups influencing the political imagery in both these countries. Nepal, inspired by India, is now looking at institutionalizing procedures to integrate the indigenous people as citizens, paving way for an asymmetrical federalism, where federal units are given special powers. In India, the threat of ethnic conflict has driven the Indian state to recognize new states and form autonomous district councils. While India and Nepal acknowledge, to some extent, the emergence of the minorities, i.e. adivasi/janjati as political actors, China promotes economic development of minorities and directs them towards modernization. This volume discusses these issues to grasp the reformulation of identities influenced by cultural strategies of empowerment.