{"product_id":"criminal-tribes-of-punjab-ethnographic-study-birinder","title":"Criminal Tribes of Punjab - Ethnographic Study Birinder","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Criminal Tribes of Punjab, the reviewer considers its value to students, social historians and anyone researching colonial administration. The book is a focused ethnographic account that examines seven communities labeled criminal by the British census apparatus, and the review finds its single biggest strength is the careful challenge it poses to simplistic colonial categories. Readers seeking a clear, evidencebased study of how classification shaped policy will find this text particularly useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides detailed accounts of seven named tribes, allowing readers to compare social life across Bauria, Bazigar Banjara, Bangala, Barad, Gandhila, Nat and Sansi.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frames the material within the late 19th century British census project so readers understand how administrative categories affected lived communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discusses the problem of definition of tribe and the contested label of criminality, helping scholars rethink official classifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows contrasts between the seven groups, making it useful for regional and cultural comparison in Punjab studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary source engagement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on colonial records and census efforts to reconstruct how policy and perception interacted in practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for graduate students, historians of South Asia, anthropologists and social policy researchers who need a compact, sourcedriven case study on colonial classification. It is also valuable for librarians assembling subject collections on caste, tribe and colonial governance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a popular narrative, a broad survey of all Punjab communities, or a handbook with practical contemporary policy recommendations should look elsewhere; the work is narrowly focused on ethnographic description and historical critique rather than prescriptive modern policy design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareful ethnographic detail on seven communities gives depth to discussions of colonial labeling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong historical framing explains how census methods produced problematic categories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful comparative material that supports scholarly analysis of social diversity in Punjab.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe narrowly academic focus may be dense for casual readers looking for broad overviews.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCriminal Tribes of Punjab\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBirinder Pal Singh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnography and colonial administration in Punjab\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunities covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBauria, Bazigar Banjara, Bangala, Barad, Gandhila, Nat, Sansi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate 19th century British census and its aftermath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical analysis of tribe definition and criminality\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCriminal Tribes of Punjab is a focused, welldocumented study that repays careful reading by historians and anthropologists. It is good value for those needing primary evidence and critique of colonial classification, though its academic tone means it is best suited to specialist readers rather than casual history audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich communities does the book examine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book covers seven groups: Bauria, Bazigar Banjara, Bangala, Barad, Gandhila, Nat and Sansi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it defend or challenge the colonial label of criminality?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe author critically examines and challenges the label, showing problems in definition and administrative practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for nonacademic readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is primarily written for scholars and students; casual readers may find the detailed ethnographic and archival focus dense.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Birinder Pal Singh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48767024562395,"sku":"0415551471","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61MTwqT2dhL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778615625","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/criminal-tribes-of-punjab-ethnographic-study-birinder","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}