Sind Quarterly

John Frith was one of the outstanding academics of his time. He had a clear logical mathematical mind, was highly respected and influenced many. Yet, in 1553, at the age of 30, he was burnt at the stake for writing books supporting doctrines of Reformation. This work discusses his life.

What makes a national community out of a state? Addressing this fundamental question. Rajagopalan studies national integration from the perspective of three South Asian communities - Tamilians in India, Sindhis in Pakistan, and Tamils in Sri Lanka - that have a history of secessionism in common, but with vastly different outcomes Rajagopalan investigates why integration is relatively successful in some cases (Tamil Nadu), less so in others (Sindh), and disastrous in some (Sri Lanka). Broadly comparative and drawing together multiple aspects of political development and nation building, her imaginative exploration of the tension between state and nation gives voice to relatively disenfranchised sections of society.

Professor Das provides a fascinating study on the issue of ethnic politics in multi-ethnic Third World countries and the non-convergence of state and nation in this discussion of the Kashmir and Sindh questions. The artificial de-colonization process in the South Asian sub-continent resulted in the construction of national frontiers for its two successor states that did not rest on a synchronization of ethnic and state boundaries. Consequently, cross-border loyalties amongst significant sections of the population survived the boundaries imposed between the two successor states. When in the context of centralizing nation-building strategies ethnic political assertions occur in outlying or frontier areas of these nation-states, the distinction between domestic and external affairs, or between home and foreign politics, tends to lose its significance in the traditional sense. Political actors from across the borders of neighbouring state can then deny the marks of their different objective nationalities and treat themselves as members of a single 'loyalty group'. Thus, ethnic politics transcends its domestic contours and helps foment regional tensions. In such circumstances, ethnic assertions tend to constitute vital local or domestic ingredients that define the national security priorities within a particular region. The current insurrection in Kashmir and turmoil in Sindh superbly demonstrate this pattern.

Investigates the alliance between the British administration and the Muslim landed magnates who dominated the countryside and provides valuable insights into the emergence of the elite's governing Pakistan today.