Re-thinking development from a regional perspective, the papers engage with social science research at the regional level to take up a range of developmental problems in the northern region of India. With case studies referring to different states and regions including the state of Santali women in Bankura, West Bengal, rural non-agricultural enterprises in Uttar Pradesh and governance at grassroots level in villages of Madhya Pradesh, they discuss themes like inclusion of minorities in development, changing village economy, gender and health issues, labour and migration, issues of governance and urbanisation. Citing statistics from reports such as the Sachar Committee Report, the Indian Planning Commission and National Sample Survey Office, they deal with importance of land rights in empowerment of women in Uttarakhand, the impact of urbanisation on water resources and development of urban-rural fringe areas around Aligarh city.