Gupta D 2000 Interrogating Caste Understanding Hierarchy And Difference In Indian Society
Download Gupta D 2000 Interrogating Caste Understanding Hierarchy And Difference In Indian Society PDF/ePub or read online books in Mobi eBooks. Click Download or Read Online button to get Gupta D 2000 Interrogating Caste Understanding Hierarchy And Difference In Indian Society book now. This website allows unlimited access to, at the time of writing, more than 1.5 million titles, including hundreds of thousands of titles in various foreign languages.
Interrogating Caste
The caste system has conventionally been perceived by scholars as a hierarchy based on the binary opposition of purity and pollution. Challenging this position, leading sociologist Dipankar Gupta argues that any notion of a fixed hierarchy is arbitrary and valid only from the perspective of the individual castes. The idea of difference, and not hierarchy, determines the tendency of each caste to keep alive its discrete nature and this is also seen to be true of the various castes which occupy the same rank in the hierarchy. It is, in fact, the mechanics of power, both economic and political, that set the ground rules for caste behaviour, which also explains how traditionally opposed caste groups find it possible to align in the contemporary political scenario. With the help of empirical evidence from states like Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the author illustrates how any presumed correlations between caste loyalties and voting patterns are in reality quite invalid. Provocative and finely argued, Interrogating Caste is a remarkable work that provides fresh insight into caste as a social, political and economic reality.
Caste in Question
This important volume provides an alternative perspective on caste. It demonstrates that the traditional view of caste—as a single hierarchy, with Brahmins at the top and the untouchable castes at the bottom—is no longer valid. From politics to gender to economic interaction, the contributors reveal how the erstwhile single, pure hierarchical order is constantly being questioned and weakened./-//-/The essays in this volume argue for a different conceptualisation of caste—one that would take into account the need for caste assertion and dignity as well as notions of hierarchy. The contributors show that while pride in one’s caste identity is an important feature of the caste order, this is not incompatible with contesting notions of hierarchy. Caste is now better seen in terms, first, of discrete identities and then in terms of multiple and contesting hierarchies. Using contemporary experiences, this exciting volume reflects on received wisdom concerning theories of caste and provides an entirely fresh perspective.
Caste and Class Ideology in Contemporary India
This volume explores contemporary caste dynamics in India, combining theoretical insights with rich empirical evidence. It offers an insightful examination of how caste practices, particularly concerning marginalized communities or Dalits, have transformed over the years. The book delves into the persistent yet evolving nature of caste hierarchies, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges these communities face in their quest for autonomy and dignity. It examines how Dalits navigate social power imbalances, face social boycotts, and violent resistance despite breaking free from traditional dependency. It provides a nuanced account of the intersection between religion and caste, exploring movements like Ad-Dharm and the establishment of community centers for worship and social activities. The volume also sheds light on the shifting political landscape, discussing the rise of backward castes and the increasing assertion of Dalit identity. By drawing parallels between caste and race/ethnicity studies, it delves into how caste identities continue to perpetuate economic and social inequalities. This book is a crucial resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of caste and class in modern India.