Nightmarch: A Journey into India's Naxal Heartlands

Alpa Shah

Physical

In Circulation

| SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2019, SHORTLISTED FOR THE KAMALADEVI CHATTOPADHYAY NEW INDIA FOUNDATION BOOK PRIZE 2019, AND LONGLISTED FOR THE TATA LITERATURE LIVE NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019 || SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2019, SHORTLISTED FOR THE KAMALADEVI CHATTOPADHYAY NEW INDIA FOUNDATION BOOK PRIZE 2019, AND LONGLISTED FOR THE TATA LITERATURE LIVE NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019 |In 2010, just as the Indian government was stepping up its counterinsurgency operations in the country's Naxal-affected areas, Alpa Shah set out on a seven-night march with a guerrilla platoon across 250 kilometres of the same territory.

An anthropology professor, she wanted to understand why, against the backdrop of a shiny new India, the country's poor had shunned the world's largest democracy and united with revolutionary ideologues. Dressed as a man in an olive-green guerrilla uniform, Alpa was the only woman and the only person not carrying a gun in the platoon. Her gritty journey reveals how and why people from very different backgrounds come together to take up arms to change the world but also what makes them fall apart. Unfolding like a thriller and brought to life by Alpa's years of research and immersion into the daily lives of the tribal communities in a Naxal stronghold, Nightmarch is a reflection on economic growth, rising inequality, dispossession and conflict at the heart of contemporary India.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Adivasi Struggles: The book sheds light on the struggles faced by Adivasi (indigenous) communities in India, particularly those affected by the Naxalite insurgency.

  2. Naxalite Movement: Alpa Shah provides an in-depth exploration of the Naxalite movement, a Maoist-inspired revolutionary movement that originated in the Naxalbari village in West Bengal in 1967.

  3. Adivasi Experiences: The author shares the experiences and stories of Adivasi individuals who have been directly impacted by the Naxalite insurgency, offering a perspective from those living in the heartlands of the conflict.

  4. Land Disputes: Land-related issues, including landlessness and displacement, are central themes in the book. The Naxalite movement often addresses grievances related to land rights and agrarian struggles.

  5. Social Injustice: "Nightmarch" explores the broader issues of social injustice and economic disparities that contribute to the grievances of the Adivasi communities.

  6. Gender Dynamics: The book delves into the gender dynamics within the Naxalite movement and the impact of the conflict on women in the Adivasi communities.

  7. State Response: Shah examines the response of the Indian state to the Naxalite insurgency, including military and paramilitary operations, and the complexities of dealing with the underlying social and economic issues.

  8. Ethnographic Approach: The author employs an ethnographic approach, immersing herself in the communities affected by the conflict to better understand their perspectives and experiences.

  9. Humanizing the Conflict: "Nightmarch" humanizes the Naxalite conflict by presenting the personal stories, aspirations, and struggles of the individuals living in the conflict zones.

  10. Complexity of the Situation: The book emphasizes the complexity of the Naxalite conflict, highlighting that it cannot be reduced to a simple narrative but is embedded in the intricate web of historical, social, economic, and political factors.

Language English
ISBN-10 9353023866
ISBN-13 9789353023867
No of pages 352
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher HarperCollins
Published Date 17 Oct 2018

About Author

Author : Alpa Shah

NA

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