Aijaz Ahmad
Encyclopedia
Aijaz Ahmad is a well-known Marxist literary theorist and political commentator based in India
.
Born in the state of Uttar Pradesh
, India just before it gained independence
from British
rule, Aijaz Ahmad along with his parents migrated to Pakistan
following partition
. After his education he worked in various universities in US and Canada. At present Aijaz Ahmad is Professorial Fellow at the Centre of Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi
and is visiting Professor of Political Science
at York University, Toronto. He also works as an editorial consultant with the India
n newsmagazine Frontline
and as a senior news analyst for the Indian website Newsclick
.
In his book In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, Ahmad primarily discusses the role of theory and theorists in the movement against colonialism and imperialism. Ahmad's rhetoric against those who uphold poststructuralism and postmodernist conceptions of material history revolves around the fact that very little has been accomplished since the advent of this brand of postcolonial inquiry.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Born in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India just before it gained independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
from British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rule, Aijaz Ahmad along with his parents migrated to Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
following partition
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
. After his education he worked in various universities in US and Canada. At present Aijaz Ahmad is Professorial Fellow at the Centre of Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
and is visiting Professor of Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at York University, Toronto. He also works as an editorial consultant with the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n newsmagazine Frontline
Frontline (magazine)
Frontline is a fortnightly English language magazine published by The Hindu Group of publications from Chennai, India. Narasimhan Ram is the editor-in-chief of the magazine. As a current affairs magazine, it covers domestic and International news. Frontline gives a prominent place to various...
and as a senior news analyst for the Indian website Newsclick
Newsclick
Newsclick is a member-supported English language progressive, online video news network. Launched in 2009 by Prabir Purkayastha, Newsclick is a viewer funded news channel that produces news videos, partnering with Youtube and is based in New Delhi, India...
.
Books
- In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures - Verso
- Lineages of the Present: Ideological and Political Genealogies of Contemporary South Asia
- Iraq, Afghanistan and the Imperialism of Our Time - LeftWord Books, New Delhi
- On Communalism and Globalization-Offensives of the Far Right - Three Essays Press, New Delhi
- A Singular Voice: Collected Writings of Michael Sprinker - Editor (with Fred Pfeil and Modhumita Roy)
- In Our Time: Empire, Politics, Culture
In his book In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, Ahmad primarily discusses the role of theory and theorists in the movement against colonialism and imperialism. Ahmad's rhetoric against those who uphold poststructuralism and postmodernist conceptions of material history revolves around the fact that very little has been accomplished since the advent of this brand of postcolonial inquiry.
External links
- Aijaz Ahmad, ISLAM, ISLAMISMS AND THE WEST (online version of article for the Socialist Register 2008).
- Aijaz Ahmad video on the Socialist Project website.
- Aijaz Ahmad video on the Real News website Iran: IAEA report sparks controversy.