New Books Network Nidhi Mahajan, "Moorings: Voyages of Capital across the Indian Ocean" (U of California Press, 2025)
Sep 13, 2025
Nidhi Mahajan, an Associate Professor at UC Santa Cruz, dives deep into the maritime world with her book, exploring how dhows connect South Asia and East Africa. She discusses the socioeconomic dynamics of small-scale trade and hospitality among seafarers, revealing the interplay of cultural identity and regulatory challenges. The conversation highlights the geopolitical intricacies of the Indian Ocean, including the risks of navigating sanctions and the evolving identities of communities affected by climate change and colonial legacies.
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Fieldwork Began With A Chance Docking
- Nidhi Mahajan first entered the dhow world after meeting a Mandvi captain docked in Mombasa in 2011 and was welcomed aboard.
- That initial hospitality led to friendship with a key interlocutor, Yusuf, who reshaped her research trajectory and facilitated access across ports.
Dhow As A Colonial Category
- 'Dhow' is a contested, colonial-derived label that flattens many vessel types into a racialized category.
- Mahajan stresses local names and vessel forms and shows how classification enabled colonial regulation of seafaring.
Vahans, Diesel Power, And Caste Roots
- Kachchi vahans run on secondhand diesel generators and serve minor ports where container ships cannot dock.
- Crews mainly come from Badala and Wagher communities in Mandvi and Jamsalaya, where seafaring shapes caste identity.
