This book has gathered many debts. For inviting me to contribute to the series, and for their comments, I am grateful to Peter Holland and Stanley Wells. Frances Whistler at OUP has been extremely helpful throughout. Mary Worthington's work on the manuscript was invaluable. An Award from the Center for Advanced Study at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) gave me the muchneeded time to complete the book. Support from the Research Board at UIUC facilitated the bulk of the writing. Over the past two and a half years, Lisa Lampert has shared her work, conversations, and a wealth of materials with me, and has commented on my draft chapters. I would also like to thank Joshua Eckhardt and Kimberley Woosley for helping me locate materials, and for their critical inputs into this project. For intellectual exchange and other forms of support I am grateful to Gifty Ako-Adounovo, Jonathan Burton, Dympna Callaghan, Peter Erickson, Jean E. Howard, Sujata Iyengar, Carol Neely, Patricia Parker, Daniel J. Vitkus, Charles Wright, Nina Baym, and Sanjay Kak. Rukun Advani generously and skilfully helped me race against time. Tariq Thachil helped me restructure the opening sections, and added serious conversations to his love and care. My communities in Delhi and Champaign sustained me in a period of transition, especially Zohreh Sullivan who made the prairie feel like home. Suvir Kaul has encouraged me, read drafts, and made home the most exciting place.
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