Commerce with the Universe: Africa, India, and the Afrasian Imagination

Synopsis

Gaurav Desai Provides An Alternative History Of Africa's Experience With Slavery, Migration, Colonialism, Nationalism, And Globalization. The Book Draws On The Life Narratives And Literary Texts Of South Asians Writing In And About East Africa. In This Way It Broadens The Scope Of African And South Asian Scholarship And Provides A Nuanced Understanding Of The Indian Ocean's Fertile Routes Of Exchange. Calling Attention To Lives And Literatures Long Neglected By Traditional Scholars, The Book Introduces Interdisciplinary Ways Of Thinking About The Very Nature Of Ethnic History And Identity. Ocean And Narration -- Old World Orders: Amitav Ghosh And The Writing Of Nostalgia -- Post-manichaean Aesthetics: Asian Texts And Lives -- Through Indian Eyes: Travel And The Performance Of Ethnicity -- Commerce As Romance: Mehta, Madhvani, Manji -- Lighting A Candle On Mount Kilimanjaro: Partnering With Nyerere -- Anti Anti-asianism And The Politics Of Dissent: M.g. Vassanji's The Gunny Sack -- Coda: Entangled Lives. Gaurav Desai. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.