Power, Knowledge, Medicine: A Study of Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals in India

"Power, Knowledge, Medicine: A Study of Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals in India" by Dr Madhurlika Banerjee, University of Delhi

The book explores the transformation of the understanding of modern Ayurveda. It draws insights from a number of disciplines that have analysed various aspects of Ayurveda making sense of some of the big changes that have marked its transformation in the twentieth century. The author argues that this transformation cannot be seen as purely cognitive, technological or economic change, for it involves an irreducible political play between regimes of knowledge and exercise of state power. It also argues that processes of commercialisation and standardisation have resulted in pharmaceuticalisation of this ancient medical system accounting for both the resilience and shrinkage of Ayurveda as a medical system. The book might be of interest for any social scientist interested in technological choice, knowledge and power or alternative modernity. Orient Blackswan, Hyderabad