Introduction to Caste

Caste is the fundamental institution of traditional Indian society. The caste system divides the whole society into a large number of hereditary groups, which are distinguished from one another and connected by separation in matters of marriage and contact, division of labour and hierarchy, which ranks the groups as relatively superior or inferior to one another.

Castes have been historically associated with particular caste occupations and any movement of a caste from its hereditary occupation to another is a form of social mobility within the caste structure. The book shows how the forces of modernization had rendered some areas of village life caste-free, while others were still governed by considerations of caste.