The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal

The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal

Author: Sudarshana Bhaumik

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-08-26

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 1000641430

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book challenges the prevalent assumptions of caste, hierarchy and social mobility in pre-colonial and colonial Bengal. It studies the writings of colonial ethnographers, Orientalist scholars, Christian missionaries and pre-colonial literary texts like the Mangalkavyas to show how the concept of caste emerged and argues that the jati order in Bengal was far from being a rigidly reified structure, but one which had room for spatial and social mobility. The volume highlights the processes through which popular myths and beliefs of the lower caste orders of Bengal were Sanskritized. It delineates the linkages between sedantized peasant culture and the emergence of new agricultural castes in colonial Bengal. Moreover, the author discusses a wide spectrum of issues like marginality and hierarchy, the spread of Brahmanical hegemony, the creation of deities and the process of Sanskritization, popular Saivism, the cult of Manasa in Bengal and the revolt of 1857 and the caste question. Rich in archival sources, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of colonial history, Indian history, political sociology, caste studies, exclusion studies, cultural studies, social history, cultural history and South Asian studies, especially those interested in undivided Bengal.


Book Synopsis The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal by : Sudarshana Bhaumik

Download or read book The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal written by Sudarshana Bhaumik and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2022-08-26 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book challenges the prevalent assumptions of caste, hierarchy and social mobility in pre-colonial and colonial Bengal. It studies the writings of colonial ethnographers, Orientalist scholars, Christian missionaries and pre-colonial literary texts like the Mangalkavyas to show how the concept of caste emerged and argues that the jati order in Bengal was far from being a rigidly reified structure, but one which had room for spatial and social mobility. The volume highlights the processes through which popular myths and beliefs of the lower caste orders of Bengal were Sanskritized. It delineates the linkages between sedantized peasant culture and the emergence of new agricultural castes in colonial Bengal. Moreover, the author discusses a wide spectrum of issues like marginality and hierarchy, the spread of Brahmanical hegemony, the creation of deities and the process of Sanskritization, popular Saivism, the cult of Manasa in Bengal and the revolt of 1857 and the caste question. Rich in archival sources, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of colonial history, Indian history, political sociology, caste studies, exclusion studies, cultural studies, social history, cultural history and South Asian studies, especially those interested in undivided Bengal.


Gender and Caste Hierarchy in Colonial Bengal

Gender and Caste Hierarchy in Colonial Bengal

Author: Deboshruti Roychowdhury Roychowdhury

Publisher:

Published: 2014-02-01

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9789381345054

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book breaks new ground in perceiving the interrelations among class, caste, religious and gender identities to grasp the complex notion of ideal womanhood in the nineteenth century. It argues that this was not restricted to the upper caste bhadramahila but was accepted by more marginalised so-called lower castes like the subarnabaniks (gold merchants), gandhabaniks (spice merchants), mahishyas (prosperous farmers) sadgopes (prosperous peasantry), among others, to move up the caste hierarchy. If women were seen to be educated, running their homes as 'aware' housewives, becoming companions to their husbands, and always constant in their chastity, their caste gained in status. British rule had introduced significant socio-political and economic changes, creating a fertile environment for upward mobility. In her careful discussion on caste and gender, the author reveals the strategically veiled relationships between caste and women, 'within which women of all strata were arguably locked'. Questioning the pre-modern and 'traditional' perceptions of Indian societies in which the members of society are generally characterised as unreasoning followers of ideologies, this book analyses the different historical forces that have shaped the notion of ideal womanhood and gendered social relations in a constantly shifting caste-based social order.


Book Synopsis Gender and Caste Hierarchy in Colonial Bengal by : Deboshruti Roychowdhury Roychowdhury

Download or read book Gender and Caste Hierarchy in Colonial Bengal written by Deboshruti Roychowdhury Roychowdhury and published by . This book was released on 2014-02-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book breaks new ground in perceiving the interrelations among class, caste, religious and gender identities to grasp the complex notion of ideal womanhood in the nineteenth century. It argues that this was not restricted to the upper caste bhadramahila but was accepted by more marginalised so-called lower castes like the subarnabaniks (gold merchants), gandhabaniks (spice merchants), mahishyas (prosperous farmers) sadgopes (prosperous peasantry), among others, to move up the caste hierarchy. If women were seen to be educated, running their homes as 'aware' housewives, becoming companions to their husbands, and always constant in their chastity, their caste gained in status. British rule had introduced significant socio-political and economic changes, creating a fertile environment for upward mobility. In her careful discussion on caste and gender, the author reveals the strategically veiled relationships between caste and women, 'within which women of all strata were arguably locked'. Questioning the pre-modern and 'traditional' perceptions of Indian societies in which the members of society are generally characterised as unreasoning followers of ideologies, this book analyses the different historical forces that have shaped the notion of ideal womanhood and gendered social relations in a constantly shifting caste-based social order.


Caste in Bengal

Caste in Bengal

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9788178246758

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis Caste in Bengal by :

Download or read book Caste in Bengal written by and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Caste, Class and the Raj

Caste, Class and the Raj

Author: Ranjit Sen

Publisher:

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis Caste, Class and the Raj by : Ranjit Sen

Download or read book Caste, Class and the Raj written by Ranjit Sen and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics

The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics

Author: Ayan Guha

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2022-09-26

Total Pages: 309

ISBN-13: 9004514562

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change critically engages with the political dynamics of caste in West Bengal and explores the reasons for the relative insignificance of caste as a political category in the state.


Book Synopsis The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics by : Ayan Guha

Download or read book The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics written by Ayan Guha and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2022-09-26 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change critically engages with the political dynamics of caste in West Bengal and explores the reasons for the relative insignificance of caste as a political category in the state.


The Tribes and Castes of Bengal

The Tribes and Castes of Bengal

Author: H. H. Risley

Publisher:

Published: 1891

Total Pages: 486

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis The Tribes and Castes of Bengal by : H. H. Risley

Download or read book The Tribes and Castes of Bengal written by H. H. Risley and published by . This book was released on 1891 with total page 486 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Being Bengali

Being Bengali

Author: Mridula Nath Chakraborty

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-03-26

Total Pages: 285

ISBN-13: 131781889X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Bengal has long been one of the key centres of civilisation and culture in the Indian subcontinent. However, Bengali identity – "Bengaliness" – is complicated by its long history of evolution, the fact that Bengal is now divided between India and Bangladesh, and by virtue of a very large international diaspora from both parts of Bengal. This book explores a wide range of issues connected with Bengali identity. Amongst other subjects, it considers the special problems arising as a result of the division of Bengal, and concludes by demonstrating that there are many factors which make for the idea of a Bengali identity.


Book Synopsis Being Bengali by : Mridula Nath Chakraborty

Download or read book Being Bengali written by Mridula Nath Chakraborty and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-03-26 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bengal has long been one of the key centres of civilisation and culture in the Indian subcontinent. However, Bengali identity – "Bengaliness" – is complicated by its long history of evolution, the fact that Bengal is now divided between India and Bangladesh, and by virtue of a very large international diaspora from both parts of Bengal. This book explores a wide range of issues connected with Bengali identity. Amongst other subjects, it considers the special problems arising as a result of the division of Bengal, and concludes by demonstrating that there are many factors which make for the idea of a Bengali identity.


Caste, Culture and Hegemony

Caste, Culture and Hegemony

Author: Sekhar Bandyopadhyay

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2004-08-19

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 0761998497

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

It is widely believed that, because of its exceptional social development, the caste system in colonial Bengal differed considerably from the rest of India. Through a study of the complex interplay between caste, culture and power, this book convincingly demonstrates that Bengali Hindu society preserved the essentials of caste discrimination in colonial times, even while giving the outward appearance of having changed. Using empirical data combined with an impressive array of secondary sources, Dr Bandyopadhyay delineates the manner in which Hindu caste society maintained its cultural hegemony and structural cohesion. Starting with an examination of the relationship between caste and power, the book examines early cultural encounters between `high` Brahmanical tradition and the more egalitarian `popular` religious cults of the lower castes. It moves on to take a close look at the relationship between caste and gender showing the reasons why the reform movement for widow remarriage failed. It ends with an examination of the Hindu `partition` campaign, which appropriated dalit autonomous politics and made Hinduism the foundation of an emergent Indian national identity. Sekhar Bandyopadhyay breaks with many of the assumptions of two important schools of thoughte"the Dumontian and the subalterne"and takes instead a more nuanced approach to show how high caste hegemony has been able to perpetuate itself. He thus takes up issues which go to the heart of contemporary problems in India`s social and political fabric.


Book Synopsis Caste, Culture and Hegemony by : Sekhar Bandyopadhyay

Download or read book Caste, Culture and Hegemony written by Sekhar Bandyopadhyay and published by SAGE. This book was released on 2004-08-19 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is widely believed that, because of its exceptional social development, the caste system in colonial Bengal differed considerably from the rest of India. Through a study of the complex interplay between caste, culture and power, this book convincingly demonstrates that Bengali Hindu society preserved the essentials of caste discrimination in colonial times, even while giving the outward appearance of having changed. Using empirical data combined with an impressive array of secondary sources, Dr Bandyopadhyay delineates the manner in which Hindu caste society maintained its cultural hegemony and structural cohesion. Starting with an examination of the relationship between caste and power, the book examines early cultural encounters between `high` Brahmanical tradition and the more egalitarian `popular` religious cults of the lower castes. It moves on to take a close look at the relationship between caste and gender showing the reasons why the reform movement for widow remarriage failed. It ends with an examination of the Hindu `partition` campaign, which appropriated dalit autonomous politics and made Hinduism the foundation of an emergent Indian national identity. Sekhar Bandyopadhyay breaks with many of the assumptions of two important schools of thoughte"the Dumontian and the subalterne"and takes instead a more nuanced approach to show how high caste hegemony has been able to perpetuate itself. He thus takes up issues which go to the heart of contemporary problems in India`s social and political fabric.


Caste Hierarchy and Social Change

Caste Hierarchy and Social Change

Author: A. R. Gupta

Publisher: New Delhi : Jyotsna Prakashan

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis Caste Hierarchy and Social Change by : A. R. Gupta

Download or read book Caste Hierarchy and Social Change written by A. R. Gupta and published by New Delhi : Jyotsna Prakashan. This book was released on 1984 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Politics of Caste in West Bengal

The Politics of Caste in West Bengal

Author: Uday Chandra

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-09-25

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1317414772

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This volume offers for the first time a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the making and maintenance of a modern caste society in colonial and postcolonial West Bengal in India. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary scholarship, it explains why caste continues to be neglected in the politics of and scholarship on West Bengal, and how caste relations have permeated the politics of the region until today. The essays presented here dispel the myth that caste does not matter in Bengali society and politics, and make possible meaningful comparisons and contrasts with other regions in South Asia. The work will interest scholars and researchers in sociology, social anthropology, politics, modern Indian history and cultural studies.


Book Synopsis The Politics of Caste in West Bengal by : Uday Chandra

Download or read book The Politics of Caste in West Bengal written by Uday Chandra and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-09-25 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume offers for the first time a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the making and maintenance of a modern caste society in colonial and postcolonial West Bengal in India. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary scholarship, it explains why caste continues to be neglected in the politics of and scholarship on West Bengal, and how caste relations have permeated the politics of the region until today. The essays presented here dispel the myth that caste does not matter in Bengali society and politics, and make possible meaningful comparisons and contrasts with other regions in South Asia. The work will interest scholars and researchers in sociology, social anthropology, politics, modern Indian history and cultural studies.