The Past in the Present-The Weavers of Malegaon

The Weavers of Malegaon Meeta Rajivlochan Does accessing the past enable a social group to formulate strategies for existence in contemporary times ? Is it necessary that a social group actually indulge in disciplined historical inquiry ? As it turns out the more common experience has been of groups creating and recreating a history for themselves without reference to the canons of historical research. Is this kind ofreconstruction the more authentic? Does it allow the concerned group to establish greater dignity for itself in the present? This paper reports on some aspects of the history of the weavers of Malegaon, addressing some of these issues.