This book deals with varied aspects of urban governance in the Indian state of Karnataka in general and its capital, Bengaluru, in particular. Given the growing significance of urbanisation for the economy, polity and society of Karnataka, and India as a whole, the volume’s contribution towards understanding various aspects of the phenomenon can hardly be overemphasised. This collection of articles, regarding basic urban services and governance, illuminates the diverse governance questions and policy issues that interest all those who are passionate about changing the urban landscape of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and India, for the better.

Southern Karnataka emerged as a regional entity between the fourth and eleventh centuries AD. Although interest in the nature of early medieval states and their social formations has defined much historical research since the 1970s, studies have, until now, been limited to clarifying only the political-dynastic history of the region. In this path-breaking new study, Malini Adiga reveals the political, social and cultural features that characterised the region. Its distinct identity is explored by examining the processes that created this political and cultural entity: the various social strata, the nature of the socio-political structure, the developments in the field of religion, and the manner in which the early medieval state patronised and utilised the various religious cults and sects to legitimise itself. Based on an extensive analysis of the inscriptions from the region and period under study, this book also drwas on the region's literary sources to explain its characteristic social ethos. Exhaustively researched, carefully analysed and richly descriptive, this book is essential reading for all those interested in early medieval Karnataka.

A crucial issue that confronts development in South Asia is how to build a better life for people displaced by infrastructure development projects. This book comprises recent displacement and resettlement case studies conducted by eight anthropologists in South Asia. Each contributor wrote around the key theme of the book: Is involuntary resettlement a development opportunity for those displaced by development interventions? In this book, "resettlement" carries a broader meaning to include physical and economic displacement, restricted access to public land such as forests and parks, relocation, income rehabilitation, and self-relocation. The book demonstrates that despite significant progress in national policies, laws, and regulations, their application still requires more commitment, adequate resources, and better supervision.