Author Description

India’s military, paramilitary, and the police constitute one of the largest security forces around the globe. Who constitutes these forces? What is the ethnic and religious background of these troops? Does the composition of these forces mirror the diversity of Indian society? Has their composition undergone any change since Independence? Independent India has experienced half a century of ethnic riots, massacres, even pogroms. What impact, if any, does the ethnic and religious composition of the security personnel have on the ability of the state to prevent the occurrence of ethnic violence or to mitigate loss of lives and property once it occurs? Answers to these questions are critical not only for anyone interested in understanding the role of the state’s most direct instrument of legitimate coercion – the security forces – but for all those concerned with a democratic polity. Extensively discussed and reviewed in academic journals and popular media, this book has appeal for both scholars and concerned citizens. It contains a wealth of data and is indispensable for all those who want to understand contemporary South Asia.<br/>This is a substantially enlarged and updated edition of a book that has already become a classic.