T Scarlett Epstein (1922-2014)

T Scarlett Epstein, who pioneered development studies in India, passed away on 27 April 2014. As an anthropologist, Epstein came into prominence afterthe publication of her book Economic Development and Social Change in South India (1962), in which she dealt with agrarian change and economic growth in two villages in Mysore. Before this publication, only three monographs on Indian villages were available. They were S C Dube’s Indian Village (1955),F G Bailey’s Caste and the Economic Frontier (1957), A C Mayer’s Caste and Kinship in Central India (1960).

T Scarlett Epstein, who pioneered development studies in India, passed away on 27 April 2014. As an anthropologist, Epstein came into prominence afterthe publication of her book Economic Development and Social Change in South India (1962), in which she dealt with agrarian change and economic growth in two villages in Mysore. Before this publication, only three monographs on Indian villages were available. They were S C Dube’s Indian Village (1955),F G Bailey’s Caste and the Economic Frontier (1957), A C Mayer’s Caste and Kinship in Central India (1960). Epstein examined economic development and social change from a comparative perspective by focusing on two villages in Mysore. One of her important findings was that economic development may occur without any change in economic roles and relations.

Epstein began her academic career in Vienna, Austria, which came to an end abruptly in 1938 with the annexation of Austria by Germany, and the spread of anti-semitism in eastern Europe. After fleeing from Vienna as a refugee in 1938, she, along with her family, took refuge first in Yugoslavia, and thereafter, in Albania. After a traumatic experience as refugees in Yugoslavia and Albania, the family finally reachedEngland in 1939.