A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos; University of California Press’s Open Access publishing program for monographs. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. How did the patronage activities of India’s Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1346–1565) influence Hindu sectarian identities? Although the empire has been commonly viewed as a Hindu bulwark against Islamic incursion from the north or as a religiously ecumenical state; Valerie Stoker argues that the Vijayanagara court was selective in its patronage of religious institutions. To understand the dynamic interaction between religious and royal institutions in this period; she focuses on the career of the Hindu intellectual and monastic leader Vyasatirtha. An agent of the state and a powerful religious authority; Vyasatirtha played an important role in expanding the empire’s economic and social networks. By examining his polemics against rival sects in the context of his work for the empire; Stoker provides a remarkably nuanced picture of the relationship between religious identity and sociopolitical reality under Vijayanagara rule.
#849886 in Books 2016-11-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .82 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0520277082368 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wilderness and Working Landscapes Need Not ConflictBy Sarah A. RolphThis is a scholarly work; with detailed notes and references; yet it is very accessible to the general reader. The book is a much-needed discussion of the highly flawed management practices that are all too common at the National Park Service; with Point Reyes National Seashore; sadly; being a case in point.Watt traces the history of this interesting and unusual National Seashore; showing how the original vision for the Seashore is being compromised--in ways that cause harm to local families and to the local economy. Watt takes an even-handed approach to the material; providing enough facts for readers to draw their own conclusions about the actions of Seashore officials in a number of specific instances.The book puts these specifics into context; with a thought-provoking discussion of what it means to "preserve" a place. The author challenges the assumption that wilderness requires the removal of people and commerce; presenting a more benevolent vision for land use planning that takes into account both people and nature; embracing working landscapes.Watt gives us not only her insights into the faulty premises underlying Park Service mismanagement; but also good; clear recommendations on rational policy directions for the future. While the book doesn't shy away from presenting unpleasant facts; its tone; spirit; and intent are refreshingly constructive.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Finally; a definitive and careful history of Point Reyes National SeashoreBy FestusLaura Watt has waded through thousands of pages of archival records to tell this history of an iconic American landscape. This is the definitive history not only of one of the nation's most significant (and weirdest) national parks. And she offers a history to think with: What are the lessons of a century of setting aside "natural wonders" to preserve them? How can rural economies survive and flourish while we also protect ecologically and aesthetically important spaces? Grounded in careful research examples like the battle over an oyster farm at Drakes Bay; Watt offers her own views about how to resolve that paradox of preservation. The best thing about this book is that we don't have to agree with Watt to accept her arguments. She writes from evidence; not opinion. Unlike other books on parks (and especially on the oyster farm); Watt gives a full history drawn from all the evidence; including those who disagree with her conclusions. That is refreshing; and admirable; and important for a time when facts matter more than ever.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A refreshing read in a challenging; post-fact; anti-environment Washington regimeBy JudyLaura Watt has synthesized a world of information about the history of national parks and the National Park Service and its culture; and then examined that history in the context of evolving environmental and cultural protection standards; using Point Reyes National Seashore experiences to illustrate her observations about the conflicts that emerge. She’s done it without rancor; although she served as an advocate in the oyster farm conflict; and she's done it with extensive citation to the factual bases for her statements in footnotes that don’t slow the average reader but will satisfy anyone not content with living in a “post-fact†world. And she's done it in such graceful prose; that a college student friend exclaimed; "it reads like poetry!"
