Coastal Histories: Society and Ecology in preModern India

This volume examines a number of themes pertaining to different coastal regions of India: coastal ecology, commercial crops, transmission of diseases, fortifications, port hierarchy, new port towns, vessels and boats, fishing communities, and social life of women. It studies littoral societies, or the coastal regions, to better understand the influence of the ocean upon these lands. Coastal societies have their own particular notion of identity and ambience, which differentiates them from the extensive continental zones. It is in this context that coastal territories and their histories constitute an interesting theme of enquiry. The general pattern of existence and the rhythm of life in all these dissociated regions, however, had considerable commonality, due to the overwhelming impact of the two dominant elements, water and landin shaping the destinies of its inhabitants.