The concept of dominant caste is of crucial importance in understanding social and political life in rural India. Analyze.

M.N. Srinivas gave the concept of dominant caste through his field studies in Rampura village in South India.

Dominant Caste

→ Refers to the caste group that need not necessarily be ritually superior but dominates the economic and political spheres of a region eg: Jats and Yadavs in North India, Marathas in Maharashtra, Lingayats in Karnataka, etc.

IMPORTANCE OF DOMINANT CASTE

→ While dominant caste is usually characterised by numerical strength, land ownership and political power it acts as a reference group for the lower castes. → Political mobilization, voting behaviour is generally influenced by the dominant caste → Since it is a reference group, the culture and practices of the dominant caste slowly diffuse through the rest of the society (Sanskritisation) → The effect is more prominent on women as dominant culture of dowry, patriarchy, percolates through the rural society.