Marshalling the past

In 'Marshalling the Past: Ancient India and Its Modern Histories', Nayanjot Lahiri examines how interpretations of ancient India have been constructed and utilized in modern contexts.

The book explores the interplay between archaeological discoveries, historical narratives, and contemporary social and political agendas.

It analyzes how different groups, including colonial administrators, nationalist intellectuals, and religious organizations, have appropriated and manipulated the ancient past to serve their own interests.

Lahiri also discusses the challenges of writing objective history in the face of competing claims and interpretations, and the ethical responsibilities of historians in presenting a balanced and nuanced account of the past.

Through a critical examination of historical sources and historiographical debates, the book sheds light on the complex relationship between ancient India and its modern legacies.