'Genealogy Archive Image' addresses the ways in which history and tradition are 'reinvented'
through text memory and painting. It examines the making of dynastic history in the kingdom of
Jhalavad situated in Gujarat western India over the longue durée from the eleventh to
twentieth centuries. The essays critique a collection of contemporary miniature paintings
which chart the dynastic history of Jhalavad's rulers and the textual and ethnographic archive
upon which they are based. A multidisciplinary work it crosses the boundaries of history
anthropology folklore and mythology gender musicology literary studies and visual film
and digital media. The essays draw upon a variety of voices spanning various religious and
ethnic communities including Hindus Muslims Jains Parsees and Siddhi Africans and caste
identities such as that of the bard ballad singer king priest court chronicler soldier
mason and drummer.
