Elite, Identity and Politics in Manipur

The present work by Dr. S. Thianlalmuan Ngaihte provides insights into the identity politics of a little known fringe community in the trans-border areas of India and Myanmar. This book based on a study of the Paite community in Manipur shows how complex socio-political issues and trajectories influence the role of the elite in construction of ethnic identities among smaller ethnic communities. Apart from studying the elite role, the book analyses other inter-related issues such as the development of ethnic consciousness, impact of conflicts on ethnic boundary making, role of language and literature, and the relevance or irrelevance of the memories of the past in construction of ethnic identities among the smaller tribal groups, sandwiched between more powerful ethnic communities.