"This book demonstrates O'Hanlon's mastery of both the sweeping macro-study and the lapidary micro-study. It contains large comparisons relevant to all scholars of South Asia and authenticates them through detailed analyses of particular texts and episodes. This book is indispensable for specialists in South Asia and valuable for historians everywhere." — Sumit Guha, University of Texas, Austin"Lineages of Brahman Power knits together observations on religion, politics, law, gender, literature, knowledge, and family to explore the deep influence of a heterogeneous Brahman ecumene in the early modern to modern periods. Centered in Maharashtra, this ecumene deeply influenced political and social worlds, from the formation of the Hindu Right to liberal and progressive critiques of caste and gender inequality. This book reveals the highly contentious and diverse construction of Brahmanness within the powerful sphere of caste patriarchy in India." — Christian Lee Novetzke, University of Washington