Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 163 words written
Opening
Jajmani system shows redistributive and unequal patterns of exchange in traditional villages as follows:
Body · points and prose
Mutual Interdependence: Kamins provided hereditary services while Jajmans provided grains, loans, social security etc.
Functional Interchangeability: similarly saturated castes could perform obligations in case of absence of other castes.
The same caste (e.g. Blacksmiths) could be jajmans w.r.t. one caste (e.g. sweepers) but kamins with respect to the other, e.g. Brahmins.
Functional characteristics of Exchange
As per William Wiser, Jagmani exchange was functional because - (i) it led to redistribution of wealth (ii) provided job security to Kamins. (iii) hereditary nature → prevented competition
Dysfunctions
Close · a summary
According to Joan Mencher, such exchange was unequal and based on exploitation of Kamins. According to Gail Omvedt, jajmani exchange was based upon logic of caste domination. Hence, surplus was extracted from the Dalits and lower castes. Leela Dube has pointed out exploitation of female kamins.
Thus, the Jajmani system, predicated on exchange of services, was an unequal system of redistribution.