Brahmins of the Himalaya

Upper-Caste Ways of Belonging 1850–1950

This everyday history of clans, communities, and elite families in Almora – a fascinating Himalayan town in the Hindu heartland – puts questions of belonging at the heart of an expansive examination of elite Hinduism. Studying a mountainous region marginal within Indian history, Joshi explores critically important mainstream concerns via attention to the periphery.

Revealing the connections between two meanings of “belonging” – one as a source of identity, the other indicating possession – he addresses large questions: What is the idea of belonging among caste Hindus? How do their ideas of belonging and community change over time? To what effect?

Contradicting conflations of the ordinary and everyday with the trivial, Joshi challenges the assumption that only metanarratives such as colonialism and nationalism matter. His exploration of big issues incorporates a plea for attention to the local and the quotidian.

The many histories that comprise this book has meant using unconventional, little known, and untapped sources. In addition to the archives, Joshi looks at novels, poetry, local-language newspapers, and over 600 family papers – including rare examples of women’s letter-writing. This scholarly book is wholly accessible.