The Rutgers British Studies Center Presents
VISIONS OF FREEDOM
FROM PUNJAB’S LAKE OF LIBERATION
Guest Speaker | Priya Satia
Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History
In this talk, Prof. Satia will explain how, in the era of British colonialism, environmental transformation of a Sikh holy site in a semi-arid region of Punjab became crucial to securing legitimacy in local political contests. The emerging city’s particular spiritual culture went on to water various struggles for autonomy — including a vision of Pakistan as a state-sized “dera” (socio-religious residence of a spiritual leader) offering refuge and relief from colonial and casteist orders.
Co-sponsored by European History Distinguished Lectures Series
Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences