Resources, representation, and authority in Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Jharkhand is at the centre of India's struggles to define 'the environment' and 'economically relevant natural resources'. Although cultural labels are applied by leaders who seek influence in these struggles as well as by many of those people who listen, an ethnonational analytic frame does not help answer the questions: How, why and when has the political idea of environment changed in India? When and why has the Jharkhand movement chosen violent tactics? When and why has the Jharkhand statehood movement realised electoral success? Or, why was Jharkhand state formed? To address such questions, a long range historical-institutional approach is much more fruitful. © 2008 The Author Journal compilation © 2008 Victoria University of Wellington.