
Millennium and Charisma Among Pathans (Routledge Revivals)
A Critical Essay in Social Anthropology
Akbar Ahmed(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 24. March 2011
Book
Hardback
194 pages
978-0-415-61796-3 (ISBN)
Description
First published in 1976, this Routledge Revivals reissue presents an analysis of the Swat Pathans, the people of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, who belong administratively to Pakistan despite being a fiercely independent group, with their own codes and ways of life. Akbar S. Ahmed, who knows the Swat Pathans well through his family connections, presents a clear and sophisticated analysis of their complex society. The study provides an anthropological and critical re-examination of the ethnography of the Swat Pathans and the author suggests specific alternative models of social organization.
The book also represents an important contribution to the general debate in the social sciences between the 'methodological individualists' and the 'methodological holists', and challenges some of the theoretical and methodological premises in anthropology. In particular the author is critical of Professor Fredrik Barth's study of Swat Pathans, for he believes that the 'Swat models' have inadvertently become the basis for generalized, and often incorrect, understanding of models of Pathan socio-political organization in the social sciences.
The book also represents an important contribution to the general debate in the social sciences between the 'methodological individualists' and the 'methodological holists', and challenges some of the theoretical and methodological premises in anthropology. In particular the author is critical of Professor Fredrik Barth's study of Swat Pathans, for he believes that the 'Swat models' have inadvertently become the basis for generalized, and often incorrect, understanding of models of Pathan socio-political organization in the social sciences.
Reviews / Votes
'This book is important, and gives rewarding insight into a dynamic political structure in Islamic tribal society.' - Andre Singer, The Times Literary Supplement'Mr Ahmed's strengths are his first hand experience of this subject, his knowledge of Islam and his intimacy with the languages concerned. To these he adds an excellent understanding of theoretical issues in contemporary social anthropology. The book is important for all social anthropologists, for students of South Asian societies, Islamic scholars and political scientists.' - D.F. Pocock, British Book News
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
382 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-61796-3 (9780415617963)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Akbar Ahmed
Millennium and Charisma Among Pathans (Routledge Revivals)
A Critical Essay in Social Anthropology
E-Book
07/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€64.49
Available for download

Akbar Ahmed
Millennium and Charisma Among Pathans (Routledge Revivals)
A Critical Essay in Social Anthropology
E-Book
07/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€64.49
Available for download

Akbar Ahmed
Millennium and Charisma Among Pathans (Routledge Revivals)
A Critical Essay in Social Anthropology
Book
03/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€70.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Mr Ahmed's strengths are his first hand experience of this subject, his knowledge of Islam and his intimacy with the languages concerned. To these he adds an excellent understanding of theoretical issues in contemporary social anthropology. The book is important for all social anthropologists, for students of South Asian societies, Islamic scholars and political scientists.'- D.F. Pocock, British Book News
Content
Part 1: 1. The Swat Pathans and the Theory of Games 2. The Swat Pathan Understood 3. The Swat Pathan Misunderstood Part 2: 4. A Theory of Pathan Economic Structure and Political Organization 5. A Note on Sufic Orders and Islamic Revivalism in the Nineteenth Century Part 3: 6. Millennium and Charisma Among Pathans 7. Models and Method in Anthropology