The book presents the idea of construction of a new 'childhood' in the Oriya society became necessary under colonial rule and was accomplished by the educated middle class. This educated middle class 'childhood' became a device for the Raj to legitimize its rule; on the other hand it created a new 'childhood' as an integral part of an educated middle class identity in Orissa (India), which the under-privileged classes did not posses, and therefore remained socio-culturally disadvantaged.