Uma Chakravarthi’s Everyday Lives Everyday Histories : Beyond the Kings and Brahmans of Ancient India is a compilation of 14 essays from the authors considerable work on the history and historiography of early India. Though it brings together articles written by historian-activists over two decades, no element of staleness attaches to the book.

The books concentration on socio-economic subalterns enriches the historical gaze, It seems to carry with it an implicit presumption about so-called superalterns – Did Brahmins or merchants not have everyday lives? The Book does not try adequately to address the question of the interplay of multiple basis of power – ritual, political, social, economic and gender powers which coexisted but did not coincide. Everyday Lives Everyday Histories is also notable for the specimens it carries of the author’s engagement with gender issues in the Sanskrit epics.

All told , Everyday lives Everyday histories is a history book with a difference: lively, pioneering and insightful. Uma Chakravarthi’s Everyday lives Everyday histories is an argument for enlivening and peopling history. It is an engaging fare for historians and non-historians alike.