Includes bibliographical references and index.

List of Plates. List of Maps. Transliteration of vernacular terms. Names of places and persons. Preface. Acknowledgements.Introduction. Part I. Dharavi’s Origins 1. Unaccountable land and people 2. Migratory crossroads 3. ‘A city within the city’ 4. The Dharavi way of life. Part II. Dharavi’s Population 5. Castes and leather worker communities of Dharavi 6. Dimensions of untouchability 7. Obsession with status. Part III. Dharavi’s Workers 8. The informal leather sector in Dharavi 9. Organisation of work 10. Made in Dharavi: Outlets and distribution 11. Dharavi: A globalised informal sector? Part IV. Dharavi’s Citizens 12. From caste associations to political associations 13. The politicised housing issue 14. From casteist politicisation to democratisation (1990–2010) 15. Dharavi: World centre for alternative urbanism (2000–10). Conclusion:Dharavi: Mumbai’s heartbeat. Select Bibliography. About the Author. Index

Located in the heart of Mumbai, Dharavi is estimated to be the largest slum in Asia. Often referred to as ‘Little India’, it has been home to thousands of migrants from across the country providing opportunities for work and livelihood. As such, Dharavi presents a fascinating paradox: the convergence of stereotypes associated with the slum — poverty and misery — and an effervescent economic vitality, impelled by globalisation and international capital flows.--Publisher description.