{"product_id":"graphic-politics-in-eastern-india-script-and-the-quest-for-autonomy","title":"Graphic Politics in Eastern India: Script and the Quest for Autonomy","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Graphic Politics in Eastern India: Script and the Quest for Autonomy, the reviewer finds a focused ethnographic study ideal for readers who want a rigorous look at how script shapes political claims. Nishaant Choksi's book offers a clear argument about the role of Santali scripts, including the newly created Ol Chiki, in everyday marketplaces, schools and print circulation; the single biggest reason to buy is its combination of fieldwork detail and theoretical framing that makes \u003cstrong\u003egraphic politics\u003c\/strong\u003e tangible and analytically useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic fieldwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Based on extensive village-level research in southwestern West Bengal, the book provides grounded examples of how Santali speakers use scripts in real social contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on script use:\u003c\/strong\u003e The study documents the deployment of multiple Santali scripts, including Ol Chiki, showing how written forms function as tools of political and cultural claim-making.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to local spheres:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choksi traces script visibility in Bengali-dominated local markets and the education system to demonstrate how language users delineate political domains.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrint media circulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book examines how printed materials move through regional networks and contribute to scaling Santali from local to national arenas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alongside narrative description, the author builds a conceptual account of graphic politics that links everyday signage and literacy practices to autonomy movements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book suits scholars and graduate students in linguistic anthropology, sociolinguistics and South Asian studies who need a concrete case study of language, script and politics. Practitioners involved in language planning or indigenous education will also find useful ethnographic insights about signage, schooling and print circulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a broad survey of Indian political history or a beginner's textbook on Santali language structure should look elsewhere; the book is a focused research monograph rather than a general introduction or a language learning resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDetailed fieldwork gives credible, context-rich examples of script use in villages and markets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear documentation of Ol Chiki alongside other Santali scripts highlights underexamined orthographic politics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe combination of ethnography and theory makes the concept of \u003cstrong\u003egraphic politics\u003c\/strong\u003e analytically robust and transferable to other cases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFocus on education and print media illuminates mechanisms for scaling language claims beyond local settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe specialist tone and depth of detail mean casual readers may find the book dense rather than accessible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGraphic Politics in Eastern India: Script and the Quest for Autonomy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNishaant Choksi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArea of study\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnography of Santali script use in eastern India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eField sites\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVillages of southwestern West Bengal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOl Chiki, local markets, education, print circulation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical and ethnographic analysis of graphic politics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor researchers and advanced students interested in how script becomes a political resource, this book is a valuable, well-documented contribution that connects village practices to larger autonomy claims. Its focused scope and careful fieldwork make it good value for readers seeking a rigorous case study of \u003cstrong\u003escript and political mobilization\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include fieldwork evidence?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The study is based on extensive fieldwork in villages of southwestern West Bengal and documents real-world script practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich scripts are discussed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe author examines multiple Santali scripts, most prominently the newly created Ol Chiki, in local markets, schools and print media.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for general readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot primarily; the book is a specialist ethnographic and theoretical monograph aimed at scholars and advanced students.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nishaant Choksi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48256239468763,"sku":"1350159581","price":122.41,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/811RL9C6BiL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778282096","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/graphic-politics-in-eastern-india-script-and-the-quest-for-autonomy","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}