3 - Idea of Emancipation and Discourse on Caste in Colonial Western India (Maharashtra)
Corresponding Author(s) : Santosh Pandhari Suradkar
Identity, Culture and Politics,
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2010): Identity, Culture and Politics: An Afro - Asian dialogue
Abstract
Vibrant caste discourse took place in late 19th century Maharashtra between Nationalist, low caste movement and British Missionary, orientalist and ideologist. Therefore, this period in Maharashtra could be characterized as an age of initiation of the masses to the ideas of democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity. Caste has always been central to modern Indian politics. Even the power structure of mediaeval India was based on caste. Caste also operated as the central principle in the distribution of power and material resources in the colonial period. In India colonialism has created a democratic and modernist space; nevertheless this space was also predominantly captured by upper-caste groups. The nationalist struggle against the imperial power was aimed at establishing the caste-class hegemony. Non-Brahmin and low-caste movements were active during the colonial era, broadly pursuing two aims : achieving upward caste-class mobility and annihilation of caste. The caste system played a significant role in determining the content and direction of the processes of political socialization, political mobilization and institutionalization within the framework of modern democracy. The dynamics of caste and class were at the root of the complexity of Indian politics in its functioning.
Caste and Brahminical patriarchy have consistently worked together in maintaining caste-based status and uneven distribution of material resources. As upward caste mobility also strengthens Brahminical patriarchy, the caste elites in the backward feudal states have nurtured caste mobs to protect patriarchal traditions. The new caste elites, while achieving class mobility, have maintained their social status by stringent protection of the norms of caste patriarchy. Thus the 19th century debate on caste between Nationalist, low-caste movement and British becomes significant to know present caste-class exploitation and its hegemony over the marginalized section.
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- Agarkar Gopal Ganesh, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Samagra Vangmaya, 3Vols marjya Sahitya Ani Sanskriti Mandal, Mumbai.1985
- Bhalekar Kurshnarao, Krushnarao Bhalekar Samagra Vangmaya, Mahatma Phule Samta Pratishthan, Pune.
- Bhandarkar, R.G. Collected works of Sir R.G. Bhandkar, 4 vols. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, 1928-1933.
- Jambhekar, G.G., (edited and compiled), Memoirs and Writings of Acharya Balshashtri Jambhekar (1812-1846), Vol. 1 to 3, Centenary Memorial Volumes I-IV, Poona, 1950.
- Keera, Dhananjaya and Malashe, Phadke, Y, D Phadke (ed), Mahatma Phule Samagra Vangmaya, 6th Revised ed., Maharashtra Jajya Ani Sanskriti Maqndal, Mumbai, 2006.
- Padmanji, Baba., Yamunaparyatan, Nirnaya Sagar Chhapkhana, 1882.
- Pandoba, Gopalji, Jatibhed Viveksar, Mumbai, 1884.
- Patil Mukundrao Ganpat, Mukundrao Patil Samagra Vangmaya, Maharashtra Rajya Aani Sanskruti Mandal, Mumbai, 1990.
- Patil Mukundrao, Ganpat, Hindu Ani Brahmhan, Shri Shankar Chhapkhana, 1914.
- Ranade Ramabai, The Miscellaneous Writings of the Late Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.G Ranade, (Published by Mrs. Ramabai Ranade), The Manoranjan Press, Bombay 1915.
- Ranade, Ramabai, Nya. M G Ranade Hyanchi Dharmapar Vakhane, Nirnay Sagar Press, Mumbai, 1902.
- Shinde Tarabai., Stri Purush Tulna, Sumedha Prakashan,Pune, 2004.
- Subodh Patrika, 1873 -1895 (Several issues are missing.)
- Tilak Bal Gangadhar, Letters of Lokmanya Tilak, (M.D. Vidhwans Ed.) Kesari Prakashan, Pune, 1st ed., 1966.
- Tilak Bal Gangadhar, Samagra Lokmanya Tilak, Kesari Prakashan, 1976.
- Tilak Bal Gangadhar., Lokmanya Tilakanche Kesaritil Lekh, Vol. 1-4, Kesari-Mahratta Sanstha, Pune, 1930.
- Vaidya, D G, Prarthana Samajacha Itihas, Prarthana Samaj, Mumbai, 1927.
- Vaidya, D G, Prarthana Sangeet, 1924 Bagade Umesh, Phule Ambedkarancha Rashtrawad, Krantijoti Sawatribai Phule Prakashan, 1998.
- Bagade, Umesh, Maharashtratil Prabodhan Ani Vargajatiprabhutve, Sugava Prakashan, 2007.
- Bapat, Sadashiv Vinayak., (Comp), Lokmanya Tilak Yanchaya Athwani va Akhyayeeka, Vol. 1 &2, 2nd ed., Jagadhitechhu Press, Pune, 1928.
- Ellen E.McDonald, English education and social reform in late 19 th century Bombay. A case study in the transmission of a cultural Ideal. The journal of Asian studies.Vol 25, no 3, [May 1966] pp.453-470.
- Gore, M.S., Non-Brahmhan Movement In Maharashtra, Segment Book Distributors, 1889.
- Inden Ronald, Orientalist Constructions of India, Modern Asian Studies,Vol 20,no 3,[1986],pp401-4
- Joshi Mahesh, Satyashodhak Samajacha Itihas Mahrashtra Rajya Sahitya Aani Sanskruti Mandal, 2002.
References
Agarkar Gopal Ganesh, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Samagra Vangmaya, 3Vols marjya Sahitya Ani Sanskriti Mandal, Mumbai.1985
Bhalekar Kurshnarao, Krushnarao Bhalekar Samagra Vangmaya, Mahatma Phule Samta Pratishthan, Pune.
Bhandarkar, R.G. Collected works of Sir R.G. Bhandkar, 4 vols. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, 1928-1933.
Jambhekar, G.G., (edited and compiled), Memoirs and Writings of Acharya Balshashtri Jambhekar (1812-1846), Vol. 1 to 3, Centenary Memorial Volumes I-IV, Poona, 1950.
Keera, Dhananjaya and Malashe, Phadke, Y, D Phadke (ed), Mahatma Phule Samagra Vangmaya, 6th Revised ed., Maharashtra Jajya Ani Sanskriti Maqndal, Mumbai, 2006.
Padmanji, Baba., Yamunaparyatan, Nirnaya Sagar Chhapkhana, 1882.
Pandoba, Gopalji, Jatibhed Viveksar, Mumbai, 1884.
Patil Mukundrao Ganpat, Mukundrao Patil Samagra Vangmaya, Maharashtra Rajya Aani Sanskruti Mandal, Mumbai, 1990.
Patil Mukundrao, Ganpat, Hindu Ani Brahmhan, Shri Shankar Chhapkhana, 1914.
Ranade Ramabai, The Miscellaneous Writings of the Late Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.G Ranade, (Published by Mrs. Ramabai Ranade), The Manoranjan Press, Bombay 1915.
Ranade, Ramabai, Nya. M G Ranade Hyanchi Dharmapar Vakhane, Nirnay Sagar Press, Mumbai, 1902.
Shinde Tarabai., Stri Purush Tulna, Sumedha Prakashan,Pune, 2004.
Subodh Patrika, 1873 -1895 (Several issues are missing.)
Tilak Bal Gangadhar, Letters of Lokmanya Tilak, (M.D. Vidhwans Ed.) Kesari Prakashan, Pune, 1st ed., 1966.
Tilak Bal Gangadhar, Samagra Lokmanya Tilak, Kesari Prakashan, 1976.
Tilak Bal Gangadhar., Lokmanya Tilakanche Kesaritil Lekh, Vol. 1-4, Kesari-Mahratta Sanstha, Pune, 1930.
Vaidya, D G, Prarthana Samajacha Itihas, Prarthana Samaj, Mumbai, 1927.
Vaidya, D G, Prarthana Sangeet, 1924 Bagade Umesh, Phule Ambedkarancha Rashtrawad, Krantijoti Sawatribai Phule Prakashan, 1998.
Bagade, Umesh, Maharashtratil Prabodhan Ani Vargajatiprabhutve, Sugava Prakashan, 2007.
Bapat, Sadashiv Vinayak., (Comp), Lokmanya Tilak Yanchaya Athwani va Akhyayeeka, Vol. 1 &2, 2nd ed., Jagadhitechhu Press, Pune, 1928.
Ellen E.McDonald, English education and social reform in late 19 th century Bombay. A case study in the transmission of a cultural Ideal. The journal of Asian studies.Vol 25, no 3, [May 1966] pp.453-470.
Gore, M.S., Non-Brahmhan Movement In Maharashtra, Segment Book Distributors, 1889.
Inden Ronald, Orientalist Constructions of India, Modern Asian Studies,Vol 20,no 3,[1986],pp401-4
Joshi Mahesh, Satyashodhak Samajacha Itihas Mahrashtra Rajya Sahitya Aani Sanskruti Mandal, 2002.