Savaging The Civilized

Presented as a narrative that blends fieldwork scenes with historical analysis, the book offers a life portrait that revisits intimate moments while situating them within larger social and political currents. It draws on the subject’s writings and lived experience, supported by contemporary scholarship, to reveal how personal choices intersect with economic development, cultural pluralism, and democracy. The updated edition adds a fresh introduction and an epilogue that engages current debates, including the evolving influence of Naxalite movements in Adivasi areas, making the work timely and enduring.

• A comprehensive life portrait of Verrier Elwin, exploring his roles as anthropologist, writer, reformer, and advocate for Indigenous communities
• Interwoven debates on development, cultural pluralism versus homogeneity, tribal rights, and India's democratic journey
• New introduction and updated epilogue that connect historical experience to contemporary debates and policy conversations
• Engaging narrative that couples personal anecdotes with rigorous historical analysis, rooted in writings, field notes, and archival research
• Clear, accessible prose that invites thoughtful reflection without sacrificing depth or nuance

Readers finish with a nuanced understanding of a complex life and the wider social currents it reflects, gaining fresh perspective on culture, development, and democracy. The work fuels curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and leaves a lasting impression of humanity, intellect, and the power of cross‑cultural engagement.