“The Bandit History of India: Empire, the State and Outlaws” (Yushai, 2010)

Chiharu Takenaka (Professor (Politics in Asia) Faculty of Law and Politics Rikkyo University)

The Bandit History of India: Empire, the State and Outlaws [Touzoku no Indo-shi: Teikoku, Kokka, Autoro] (Tokyo: Yushisha, 2010) (Japanese) I am very much honored to receive the award from the Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Foundation, thanks to the decision of all people of the Foundation, especially the Board of Directors and the Selection Committee. I would not be here without the warm support of people around me: my lifetime mentor, Professor Yoshikazu Sakamoto, senior and junior colleagues of universities and academic associations, my students, friends and family. I am also very grateful to Mr. Nagataki, editor and publisher of the book. Thirty years ago, I went to Delhi University to study Mahatma Gandhi and his nonviolent philosophy. I instantly noticed the harsh reality. India was full of violence: caste discrimination, gender inequality, ethnic conflicts, religious tension and brutal oppression by military and police. Revolutionary forces appraised a violent mode of liberation. All these were disappointing for a young Japanese student that was myself, but they were all so fascinating as well. The story of Phoolan Devi, so-called “Bandit Queen”, enchanted me more than anything. Every day the front page of newspapers carried the information of Phoolan, who moved around the area not far from Delhi. Phoolan Devi was almost my age. Why did she become a bandit? I did not understand at all. After a long time, I could interview her twice in 2000-2001 and visit her village. Five months later, she was assassinated by a gun man in front of her official residence in Delhi. This book focuses on the life of Phoolan Devi and analyzes the social and political background of bandits in Indian history. Who became bandits? Why did they turn to be the enemy of state? I referred to the concept of Eric J. Hobsbawm, “social bandits”. They tend to emerge as popular outlaws in agrarian society, which goes through a rapid change owing to the intrusion of modern state and market economy. India has been my wonderland. My wish is to tell people the story of my trip to a dark corner of India, Heart of Darkness if you may, where bandits live together with wild animals. Phoolan did not die as bandit; she died, quite amazingly, as member of Parliament. Her life illustrates us the possibility of Indian democracy to overcome violent crimes as crude forms of class struggles. India is now seen by Japan as an important partner in Asia and Pacific Region of the 21st century. I would be very happy if my little book could make a humble contribution for India and Japan to understand each other as old but new neighbors.

Profile
Professor (Politics in Asia), Faculty of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University. Specialized in International Politics, South Asian Studies and Gender Studies. Graduated from Faculty of Law, the University of Tokyo; Professor of Meiji Gakuin University until 2008. Publication as follows: Why are there always Fights in the World? To Untie the Chain of Violence (Hankyu Communications, 2004); Takenaka, Chiharu et.al., Asian Studies Series, Vol.2: Civil Society (Keio University Press, 2008); Translation, The Subaltern Historiography: Deconstruction of Indian History (Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten 1998). Board Member of the following associations: Japan Association for Comparative Politics, Japan Association for International Politics, Japanese Association for Asian Political and Economic Studies, Japanese Association for South Asian Studies and Peace Studies Association for Japan.