India has been witness to the assertion of geographically, culturally and historically constituted, distinct and well-defined, regions that display ethnic, communal, caste and other social-political cleavages.

This book examines the changing configurations of state politics in India. Focusing on identity politics and development, it explores the specificities of the regions within states - not merely as politico-administrative constructs but also as conceived in historical, geographic, economic, sociological or cultural terms. Adopting a comparative approach, the book looks at alternative theoretical approaches, the quest for homeland, identity, caste politics and public policy.