An attempt to study to analyse the political and social history of the Jats in Northern India during 17th and 18th centuries.

This volume examines how a Jat identity was formed and shaped in rural southeast Punjab. The author analyses popular religious traditions and different strands that went into the making of the Jat identity.

Annually published since 1930, the International bibliography of Historical Sciences (IBOHS) is an international bibliography of the most important historical monographs and periodical articles published throughout the world, which deal with history from the earliest to the most recent times. The works are arranged systematically according to period, region or historical discipline, and within this classification alphabetically. The bibliography contains a geographical index and indexes of persons and authors.

Following independence, the Nehruvian approach to socialism in India rested on three pillars: secularism and democracy in the political domain, state intervention in the economy, and diplomatic non-alignment mitigated by pro-Soviet leanings after the 1960s. These features defined a distinct "Indian model," if not the country's political identity. From this starting point, Christophe Jaffrelot traces the transformation of India throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, particularly the 1980s and 90s. The world's largest democracy has sustained itself by embracing not only the vernacular politicians of linguistic states, but also Dalits and "Other Backward Classes," or OBCs. The simultaneous--and related--rise of Hindu nationalism has put minorities--and secularism--on the defensive. In many ways the rule of law has been placed on trial as well. The liberalization of the economy has resulted in growth, yet not necessarily development, and India has acquired a new global status, becoming an emerging power intent on political and economic partnerships with Asia and the West. The traditional Nehruvian system is giving way to a less cohesive though more active India, a country that has become what it is against all odds. Jaffrelot maps this tumultuous journey, exploring the role of religion, caste, and politics in determining the fabric of a modern democratic state.

The present Volume III contains twenty nine research articles from the proceedings of the VIth National Seminar on the topic: ?The Jats: Their Role and Contribution to the Socio-economic Life and Polity of North and North-West India?. This seminar was organized in 2006 by the Maharaja Surajmal Centre for Research and Publication of the Surajmal Memorial Education Society, C-4, Janak Puri, New Delhi. If we glance at the papers presented they start from tracing the roots of the Jats in the hoary past and go on to explain their role and contribution in various fields upto the modern times. To illuminate the various aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life of the Jat community including agricultural and military, the papers have been presented on the inter-disciplinary approach by the learned scholars. Social, political and educational awakening alongwith Jat peasant movements also find place in this volume. Thus, in this volume scholars have covered the areas of Sindh, Western-Eastern- Southern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, i.e., the whole Jat belt in India. Definitely this volume will give the glimpse of Jat history in a nut shell.