Some Trouble With Cows

In 'Some Trouble With Cows', sociologist Beth Roy reconstructs a large-scale riot that took place in a Bangladeshi village during the 1950s, based on first-person accounts from both Hindus and Muslims. Roy, who initially came to South Asia to study areas of endemic hostility between the two communities, was surprised to find that this particular disturbance was not recorded in any official documents or press reports. Through the villagers' memories, she weaves together their personal grievances, their understanding of larger historical events, and their reflections on how the conflict reshaped power relations within their community. The book argues that this seemingly archaic and irrational conflict was, in fact, a way for villagers to address contemporary disputes over power and rights. It also shows how historically defined identities were redefined to reflect the new reality. Roy's analysis offers important insights for students of ethnic and religious conflict, the sociology of violence, and rural South Asian studies, making it a valuable contribution to understanding how communities make sense of social conflict.