Nelaturu Sreekanth ReddyAIR 151 · CSE 2024 · 163 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
M.N. Srinivas, based on his study of Coorgs of Mysore defined dominant caste as the caste which has dominance over social-political and economic aspects.
Dominant caste used in analysing social hierarchies
Body · points
(1) Critique to divine origin theory: → The study of dominant caste in U.P and Punjab regions shown that Jats and Thakur landlords were above in hierarchy than Brahmins
(2) Ritual Vs secular hierarchy: → Louis Dumont used this concept in proposing secular hierarchy due to economic and political power.
(3) Kinship Hierarchies: → A.M. Shah used this method in studying household and family among Gujarat villages.
(4) Political Hierarchies: → Dominant Castes topped the political hierarchy by better mobilisation of resources.
Critical perspective
→ Dipankar Gupta : Micro analysis and pan India generalisation → Borrowed from African Sociology and replaced race with Caste → According to William Wiser there is more interdependence in India than dominance.
Close · a summary
With growing importance of power, Dominant Caste analysis will help in understanding power dynamics effectively.