The City in South Asia (Asia's Transformations/Asia's Great Cities)

The macro-region of South Asia – including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – today supports one of the world’s greatest concentrations of cities, but as James Heitzman argues in the first comprehensive treatment of urban South Asia, this has been the case for at least 5,000 years. With a strong emphasis on the production of space and periodic excursions into literature, art and architecture, religion and public culture, this interdisciplinary study is a valuable text for students and scholars interested in comparative history, urban studies, and the social sciences. Traces the interweaving of four themes, including the economic bases of urbanization, the built environment, living in the city and multi-city networks. With case studies in each chapter focusing on specific cities, the book provides reference for chronological periods and particular places or processes The Ancient Heritage -- The Sacred City And The Fort -- Emporiums, Empire, And The Early Colonial Presence -- Space, Economy And Public Culture In The Colonial City -- Languages Of Space In The Contemporary City. James Heitzman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [229]-255) And Index. The ancient heritage The sacred city and the fort Emporiums, empire, and the early colonial presence Space, economy and public culture in the colonial city Language of space in the contemporary city bibliography. With case studies in each chapter focusing on specific cities, and including maps and photographs, this book is a comprehensive survey of urbanization in South Asia during the last 5000 years