What do you understand by the term ‘subaltern’? Discuss the two phases the Subaltern Studies in India.

The term "subaltern" refers to individuals or groups who are marginalized, oppressed, or socially disadvantaged within a hierarchical society. The concept originated in the works of Italian Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci, who used "subaltern" to describe groups that are excluded from the dominant power structures and have limited agency or representation. In the context of postcolonial studies, the term has been widely adopted to analyze the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities, particularly in colonial and postcolonial contexts.

The Subaltern Studies project emerged in India during the 1980s as a collective effort by a group of historians and scholars to critically examine Indian history from the perspective of subaltern groups. The project sought to challenge mainstream historiography that had largely focused on elite narratives and colonial perspectives, neglecting the experiences of oppressed communities. The Subaltern Studies collective aimed to amplify the voices of subaltern groups and highlight their agency in shaping historical processes.

The Subaltern Studies project can be divided into two distinct phases:

1. First Phase (1980s-1990s):
   The first phase of Subaltern Studies was characterized by a critical engagement with colonial and nationalist historiography. Scholars like Ranajit Guha, Dipesh Chakrabarty, and Partha Chatterjee sought to deconstruct dominant narratives of Indian history and interrogate the ways in which power operated within colonial and postcolonial contexts. They emphasized the importance of uncovering subaltern voices and subversive practices that challenged colonial authority.

   Key themes explored in the first phase of Subaltern Studies included peasant rebellions, tribal movements, caste dynamics, and gender relations. The focus was on understanding how subaltern communities negotiated and resisted colonial rule, often through everyday acts of defiance and cultural practices. The first phase also critiqued nationalist historiography for its emphasis on elite figures and political leaders at the expense of grassroots movements and popular struggles.

2. Second Phase (1990s-present):
   The second phase of Subaltern Studies witnessed a shift towards more diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to studying subaltern history. Scholars began to explore new themes such as environmental history, urban studies, globalization, and postcolonial identities. The focus expanded beyond colonial India to encompass broader South Asian and global contexts.

   The second phase also saw a critique of the limitations of the term "subaltern" itself, with scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak raising questions about representation and the challenges of speaking for marginalized groups. The project became more self-reflexive, acknowledging the complexities of studying and writing about subaltern histories from positions of privilege.

Overall, the Subaltern Studies project has made significant contributions to historiography by centering marginalized voices and challenging dominant narratives of Indian history. It has inspired a broader shift towards social history, cultural studies, and postcolonial theory within academic scholarship. The project continues to evolve, incorporating new theoretical frameworks and engaging with contemporary issues of social justice, identity politics, and globalization. Despite its critiques and debates, Subaltern Studies remains a seminal intervention in redefining the scope and methodology of historical inquiry in South Asia and beyond.