Contemporary immigrants can best be understood by learning about their
social, political, and cultural history, from which they construct their indi-
vidual histories, memories, and identities. Thus, chapter I of this book offers
an introduction to South Asian history, culture, and politics. An overview of
such a large area; so many diverse peoples, religions, and languages; and so
many centuries of history can only be an exercise in selectivity and interpre-
tation. Furthermore, almost every aspect of South Asian history--political,
economic, social, and cultural--is fraught with controversy. Expanding the
scope of this volume beyond immigrants from India to include all South
Asian immigrants to the United States presents difficulties of inclusion and
presentation. Although the first chapter is quite detailed, the rest of the book
draws on it to demonstrate the continuing relevance of South Asian civili-
zation to South Asians who have settled in the United States.

Many issues relating to South Asian migration and immigrants in the
United States are controversial. Does the American political economy wel-
come or exploit South Asian immigrants? How do these immigrants perceive
the American social, religious, and cultural landscape, and what contributions
do they make to it? Do South Asian immigrant experiences and perceptions
vary by national origin, by generation, and by gender? If so, how? Although
I present my own point of view in exploring these issues, I have tried to give
a fair idea of other views as well. I have drawn illustrative information more
from West Coast sources than from elsewhere, owing to my location and the
newspapers to which I subscribe, but I believe that the general trends apply
across the United States. Moreover, there is a paucity of published materials

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