This book is a study of the UK-based Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the context of the twentieth-century South Asian diaspora. Originating in late nineteenth-century Punjab, the Ahmadis are today a vibrant international religious movement; they are also a group that has been declared heretic by other Muslims and one that continues to face persecution in Pakistan, the country the Ahmadis made their home after the partition of India in 1947. Structured as a series of case studies, the book focuses on the ways in which the Ahmadis balance the demands of faith, community and modern life in the diaspora. Following an overview of the history and beliefs of the Ahmadis, the chapters examine in turn the use of ceremonial occasions to consolidate a diverse international community; the paradoxical survival of the enchantments of dreams and charisma within the structures of an institutional bureaucracy; asylum claims and the ways in which the plight of asylum seekers has been strategically deployed to position the Ahmadis on the UK political stage; and how the planning and building of mosques serves to establish a home within the diaspora. Based on fieldwork conducted over several years in a range of formal and informal contexts, this timely book will be of interest to an interdisciplinary audience from social and cultural anthropology, South Asian studies, the study of Islam and of Muslims in Europe, refugee, asylum and diaspora studies, as well as more generally religious studies and history.

This book is a study of the UK-based Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the context of the twentieth-century South Asian diaspora. Originating in late nineteenth-century Punjab, the Ahmadis are today a vibrant international religious movement; they are also a group that has been declared heretic by other Muslims and one that continues to face persecution in Pakistan, the country the Ahmadis made their home after the partition of India in 1947. Structured as a series of case studies, the book focuses on the ways in which the Ahmadis balance the demands of faith, community and modern life in the diaspora. Following an overview of the history and beliefs of the Ahmadis, the chapters examine in turn the use of ceremonial occasions to consolidate a diverse international community; the paradoxical survival of the enchantments of dreams and charisma within the structures of an institutional bureaucracy; asylum claims and the ways in which the plight of asylum seekers has been strategically deployed to position the Ahmadis on the UK political stage; and how the planning and building of mosques serves to establish a home within the diaspora. Based on fieldwork conducted over several years in a range of formal and informal contexts, this timely book will be of interest to an interdisciplinary audience from social and cultural anthropology, South Asian studies, the study of Islam and of Muslims in Europe, refugee, asylum and diaspora studies, as well as more generally religious studies and history.

The book is thoroughly up-to-date and gives full consideration to contemporary issues in addition to the classic topics. Students will gain a solid understanding of how the work of anthropology is relevant to today's world. The chapters combine theory with method and practice so that students gain important theoretical grounding in the discipline as well as a good understanding of what anthropologists actually do. The socio-cultural approach and the inclusion of a range of global ethnographic examples mean that this book has broad appeal/relevance and is particularly suitable for students outside of North America. Unlike many existing textbooks it does not focus just on cultural or social anthropology, or contain mostly US case studies. Pedagogic features have been included to aid students' understanding and revision, including text boxes, images, glossary, and further reading. Additional resources are provided via a companion website.

Addressed not only to those interested in the culture and politics of present day India, but also to those more generally concerned with theories of kingship and ritual and the complex fate of postcolonial nation states. This work is a significant contribution to the study of kingship and the ritual process, two longstanding areas of anthropological debate both within and beyond South Asia. The Deregulation of Princes Act 1971, was designed to bring to an end the last vestiges of kingly rule in India. Part of a political process begun under British rule, the Act took away the royal privileges of the maharajas and sought fully to integrate them as citizens in a moderndemocracy. But today, a form of kingship persists in India even though legally kings no longer exist. Many former maharajas continue to exercise considerable power and influence at both local and national levels. This study is anexamination of the proceses by which royal power has survived and been transformed within modern India. Focussed on the city of Jodhpur in the nothern state of Rajasthan, the study looks in particular at a set of ritual practices by which royal power is legitimated and consolidated through appeals to a fluid notion of tradition. Drawing upon fieldwork and archival research, this study brings together the disciplines of anthropology and history; it locates its ethnographic examples within broad comparative historical and religious contexts. states. Series editors: Wendy James & Nick Allen

Addressed not only to those interested in the culture and politics of present day India, but also to those more generally concerned with theories of kingship and ritual and the complex fate of postcolonial nation states. This work is a significant contribution to the study of kingship and the ritual process, two longstanding areas of anthropological debate both within and beyond South Asia. The Deregulation of Princes Act 1971, was designed to bring to an end the last vestiges of kingly rule in India. Part of a political process begun under British rule, the Act took away the royal privileges of the maharajas and sought fully to integrate them as citizens in a moderndemocracy. But today, a form of kingship persists in India even though legally kings no longer exist. Many former maharajas continue to exercise considerable power and influence at both local and national levels. This study is anexamination of the proceses by which royal power has survived and been transformed within modern India. Focussed on the city of Jodhpur in the nothern state of Rajasthan, the study looks in particular at a set of ritual practices by which royal power is legitimated and consolidated through appeals to a fluid notion of tradition. Drawing upon fieldwork and archival research, this study brings together the disciplines of anthropology and history; it locates its ethnographic examples within broad comparative historical and religious contexts. states. Series editors: Wendy James & Nick Allen

The book is thoroughly up-to-date and gives full consideration to contemporary issues in addition to the classic topics. Students will gain a solid understanding of how the work of anthropology is relevant to today's world. The chapters combine theory with method and practice so that students gain important theoretical grounding in the discipline as well as a good understanding of what anthropologists actually do. The socio-cultural approach and the inclusion of a range of global ethnographic examples mean that this book has broad appeal/relevance and is particularly suitable for students outside of North America. Unlike many existing textbooks it does not focus just on cultural or social anthropology, or contain mostly US case studies. Pedagogic features have been included to aid students' understanding and revision, including text boxes, images, glossary, and further reading. Additional resources are provided via a companion website.

While forced marriage and 'honour-based' violence attract media attention, little is known about the issues and experiences of South Asian women and children who are affected by gendered violence. This book explores the key theoretical and empirical issues involved in gendered violence, ethnicity and South Asian communities. The editors draw together leading researchers and practitioners to provide a critical reflection of contemporary debates and consider how these reflections can inform policy, research and practice. The contributors consider the primacy of religion and culture, and how South Asian women face multiple and intersecting forms of violence. Future directions for facilitating improved services for survivors of violence against women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds are also proposed. Violence Against Women in South Asian Communities will have widespread relevance for professional academics, researchers, students, policy makers, practitioners and anyone concerned with gendered violence within South Asian communities.

Forced Marriage: Introducing a social justice and human rights perspective brings together leading practitioners and researchers from the disciplines of criminology, sociology and law. Together the contributors provide an international, multi-disciplinary perspective that offers a compelling alternative to prevailing conceptualisations of the problem of forced marriage. The volume examines advances in theoretical debates, analyses existing research and presents new evidence that challenges the cultural essentialism that often characterises efforts to explain, and even justify, this violation of women's rights. By locating forced marriage within broader debates on violence against women, social justice and human rights, the authors offer an intersectional perspective that can be used to inform both theory and practical efforts to address violence against diverse groups of women. This unique book, which is informed by practitioner insights and academic research, is essential reading for practitioners and students of sociology, criminology, gender studies and law.

Forced Marriage: Introducing a social justice and human rights perspective brings together leading practitioners and researchers from the disciplines of criminology, sociology and law. Together the contributors provide an international, multi-disciplinary perspective that offers a compelling alternative to prevailing conceptualisations of the problem of forced marriage. The volume examines advances in theoretical debates, analyses existing research and presents new evidence that challenges the cultural essentialism that often characterises efforts to explain, and even justify, this violation of women's rights. By locating forced marriage within broader debates on violence against women, social justice and human rights, the authors offer an intersectional perspective that can be used to inform both theory and practical efforts to address violence against diverse groups of women. This unique book, which is informed by practitioner insights and academic research, is essential reading for practitioners and students of sociology, criminology, gender studies and law.