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The Indian constitution seeks to prevent the perpetuation of caste and build a casteless social system. But this has not happened. Therefore no understanding of Indian politics is possible without a thorough understanding of the complexities of caste. Structure into four parts and prefaced by a long examining various meanings of caste. The essays and book extracts in its first section include 'classic' writings on caste, including those by G.S.Ghurye, Louis Dumont, Mahatma Gandhi, and B.R. Ambedkar. The second part consists of essays on the relation between caste and power. The third comprises material on caste and Indian Political practices on the ground. The fourth, on caste and social transformation, includes discussion on the heated debate relating to 'reservation' for socially backward castes. This volume offers state-of-the-art essays on the subject of caste and politics in contemporary India. About Author : Ghanshyam Shah was Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has edited and authored numerous books and essays on the subject of caste, class, and politics in India. Contents : Acknowledgements List of Contributors Introduction:Caste and Democratic Politics Features of the Caste System Hierarchy: The Theory of the 'Varma" Caste Must Go Caste in India Ram-Manohar Lohia on Caste in Indian Politics Caste, Class and Property Relations The Transformation of Authority in Rural India Caste and Class: Social Reality and Political Representations Federating for Political Interests: The Kshatriyas of Gujarat Pragmatic Progressives in Regional Politics: The Case of Devraj Urs The BJP and Backward Caste Politics in Bihar, 1990-2000 Dalit Assertion through Electoral Politics Social Backwardness and the Politics of Reservations The Anti-caste Movement and the Discourse of Power Appendix to Chapter 16 Select Bibliography