History and the Changing Horizon

Whenever we discuss issues on the environment, science etc. we do it in a particular historical context. The present volume, comprising fourteen articles covers aspects of the history of science and environment as reflected within different social systems. It focuses on aspects of ecology and technology from the ancient to the modern period embracing aspects such as migration of technological tradition from the Oxus to the Indus, dust storms over citadels in the North-west, a study of Caldecott Manuscript in late 18th century Bengal, how imperialist domination over colonies or former colonies affected indigenous culture in the Sundarbans and rice cultivation due to Green Revolution. It includes articles on Kashimbazar, Podu cultivation in tribal Odisha and the Lodha tribe. It seeks to establish the link between the Maoist movement in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and the anti-POSCO movement in Odisha, with social changes as well as the rise of fascism and the creation of the atom bomb, and the communities of Indonesia. The last piece is on environmental protection in early Soviet Russia. This book is likely to be of interest to researchers, social scientists, historians and general readers.