This book's central focus is the use of literary texts to reconstruct identities
in the region of Punjab. This collective effort examines the evolution of the
Punjabi society in terms of religion, gender, caste, class, and rivalry.
Starting with 18th century texts, the volume explores various facets of the
social life of Punjab through the end of colonial period. It becomes clear that
there was a definite change in the way religion and gender in particular were
constructed across a time span of three centuries. In the case of religion,
there has been a movement from composite religious practices to the construction
of singular religious tradition, which