Contents: Preface. 1. A dilemma of democracy. 2. The living tale of Hirma. 3. Glossary. Appendix: a review: Safdar Hashmi.

"Hirma Dev, the messianic and headstrong ruler of a tribal state called Titur Basna, comes into direct conflict with a state determined to replace the traditional tribal way of life with so-called democratic developmental ideas. This gives rise to a sustained struggle between the adivasis and a host of officials, with disastrous results.

Based on a historical occurrence, this is nevertheless an urgently contemporary tale which highlights the process of assimilation of tribal people occurring all over the world. In the process it raises vital questions with no easy answers. It is left for you to decide--who emerges the victor? What does development mean? Who does it benefit? Does it have to mean the same thing for all societies?."