The New Cambridge History of India, Volume 4, Part 3: Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age

The phenomenon of caste has probably aroused more controversy than any other aspect of Indian life and thought. Some scholars see India's caste system as the de®ning feature of Indian culture, although it is dismissed by others as a colonial artefact. Susan Bayly's cogent and sophisticated analysis explores the emergence of the ideas, experiences and practices which gave rise to so-called `caste society' over a period of 300 years, from the pre-colonial period to the end of the twentieth century. Combining historical and anthropological approaches, Bayly frames her analysis within the context of India's dynamic economic and social order. She thereby interprets caste not as the essence of Indian culture and civilisation, but rather as a contingent and variable response to the enormous changes that occurred in the subcontinent's political landscape both before and after colonial conquest. In subsequent chapters, she explores the idea of caste in relation to Indian and Western `orientalist' thought, and the upheavals associated with competing understandings of Indian nationalism and the creation of the modern Indian nation-state. The book's wide-ranging and rigorous analysis offers one of the most powerful statements yet to be written on caste in South Asia. The Phenomenon Of Caste Has Probably Aroused More Controversy Than Any Other Aspect Of Indian Life And Thought. Some Scholars See India's Caste System As The Defining Feature Of Indian Culture, Although It Is Dismissed By Others As A Colonial Artefact. Susan Bayly's Cogent And Sophisticated Analysis Explores The Emergence Of The Ideas, Experiences And Practices Which Gave Rise To So-called 'caste Society' Over A Period Of 350 Years, From The Pre-colonial Period To The End Of The Twentieth Century. Combining Historical And Anthropological Approaches, Bayly Frames Her Analysis Within The Context Of India's Dynamic Economic And Social Order. She Thereby Interprets Caste Not As The Essence Of Indian Culture And Civilisation, But Rather As A Contingent And Variable Response To The Enormous Changes That Occurred In The Subcontinent's Political Landscape Both Before And After Colonial Conquest.--jacket. Map 1. The Break-up Of The Mughal Empire, C. 1766 -- Map 2. British India, 1858-1947 -- Map 3. India After Independence, 1956-1987 -- 1. Historical Origins Of A 'caste Society' -- 2. The 'brahman Raj': Kings And Service People C. 1700-1830 -- 3. Western 'orientalists' And The Colonial Perception Of Caste -- 4. Caste And The Modern Nation: Incubus Or Essence? -- 5. The Everyday Experience Of Caste In Colonial India -- 6. Caste Debate And The Emergence Of Gandhian Nationalism -- 7. State Policy And 'reservations': The Politicisation Of Caste-based Social Welfare Schemes -- 8. Caste In The Everyday Life Of Independent India -- 9. 'caste Wars' And The Mandate Of Violence. Susan Bayly. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 388-412) And Index. The phenomenon of caste has probably aroused more controversy than any other aspect of Indian life and thought. Susan Bayly's cogent and sophisticated analysis explores the emergence of the ideas, experiences and practices which gave rise to the so-called 'caste society' from the pre-colonial period to the end of the twentieth century. Using an historical and anthropological approach, she frames her analysis within the context of India's dynamic economic and social order, interpreting caste not as an essence of Indian culture and civilization, but rather as a contingent and variable response to the changes that occurred in the subcontinent's political landscape through the colonial conquest. The idea of caste in relation to Western and Indian 'orientalist' thought is also explored The phenomenon of caste has probably aroused more controversy than any other aspect of Indian life. This volume explores the emergence of ideas and practices that gave rise to the so-called "caste-society." Using a historical and anthropological approach, the author frames her analysis in the context of India's economic and social order, interpreting caste as a contingent and variable response to changes in India's political landscape through the colonial conquest. The book's wide-ranging analysis offers one of the most powerful statements ever written on caste in South Asia.