Title
Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta (Studies in Environment and History),Used
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What happens when a distant colonial power tries to tame an unfamiliar terrain in the world's largest tidal delta? This history of dramatic ecological changes in the Bengal Delta from 1760 to 1920 involves land, water and humans, tracing the stories and struggles that link them together. Pushing beyond narratives of environmental decline, Bhattacharyya argues that 'propertythinking', a governing tool critical in making land and water discrete categories of bureaucratic and legal management, was at the heart of colonial urbanization and the technologies behind the draining of Calcutta. The story of ecological change is narrated alongside emergent practices of land speculation and transformation in colonial law. Bhattacharyya demonstrates how this history continues to shape our built environments with devastating consequences, as shown in the Bay of Bengal's receding coastline.
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- Q: What is the main focus of the book 'Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta'? A: The book examines the ecological changes in the Bengal Delta from 1760 to 1920, particularly how colonial powers interacted with and transformed the environment.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta'? A: The author of the book is Debjani Bhattacharyya.
- Q: What is the publication date of the book? A: The book was published on June 13, 2019.
- Q: How many pages is 'Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta'? A: The book contains 257 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Is the book 'Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta' in new condition? A: Yes, the book is in new condition.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of environmental change, land speculation, colonial urbanization, and the impact of legal management on land and water.
- Q: What unique perspective does Bhattacharyya offer in this book? A: Bhattacharyya argues that 'property-thinking' was central to colonial urbanization, influencing how land and water were managed.
- Q: Does the book discuss the current implications of historical ecological changes? A: Yes, it discusses how historical ecological changes continue to affect the Bay of Bengal's coastline and built environments today.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers interested in environmental history? A: Yes, it is highly suitable for readers interested in environmental history, colonial studies, and ecological transformations.