Looking Back Through Our Identities: Itihasa Purana

An accessible monograph that invites readers to rethink traditional historical boundaries in its exploration of myth and memory.

Looking Back through Our Identities explores the intricate relationship between myth and history in shaping the identities of diverse Indian communities. Through a meticulous analysis of ancient texts and oral traditions, Aloka Parasher Sen examines how the past is interpreted and navigated by groups like the Chenchus, an indigenous people from southern and eastern India. Sen discusses the role of myth in providing alternative histories and challenging linear, elite-centric historical narratives.

Sen also addresses the significance of memory and visual representation in preserving history, advocating for a broader understanding that encompasses multiple perspectives and identities. Looking Back through Our Identities offers a comprehensive and inclusive view of India’s cultural heritage.

Aloka Parasher Sen is professor emerita in the Department of Sanskrit Studies at the University of Hyderabad. Her books include Seeking History through Her Source: South of the Vindhyas, Conversations with the Animate ’Other, ’ and Gender, Religion and Local History: The Early Deccan.