i The future of the rural world? Post-colonial India 4 Living essence of the ancient? 5 Independent India 8 Mahatma Gandhi 9 Moving into a technicolour world 14 Agricultural diplomacy 17 Village studies Jamgod: Madhya Pradesh 21 An Indian village Then and now 41 The past in the present 45 Darapti. An unusual life 51 Pari Maji. Power, labour and death 57 A religious tale 63 Politics, dominance and violence 69 Guamata 73 Then and Now Sundarana: Gu"jarat 83 Villages on the move 84 Money 91 'Timepass' and masculinity 98 Girl Power? 101 Agriculture 121 Ageing