Caste System, Untouchability and the Depressed

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The history of untouchability remains a subject yet to be fully explored, scrutinized and reconstructed, and not without tremendous effort. In unraveling the elements of this complex socio-historical fabric, several questions and circumstances are salient. To begin with, what is the origin of the social discrimination that continues to be perpetrated upon certain social groups? What has been the relationship between social dis-crimination and the concept of pollution or sin? These problems have special relevance to the emergence of socially discriminated groups in ancient India like Canciala. What, then, is the difference between social discrimination in ancient India and untouchability in medieval India? The formative process of untouchability is still clouded in this regard with the darkness or obscurity history. The focal point of this process might be assumed to be the post-Gupta period, but only a more minute investigation will lead to its confirmation. Then again, what is the reality of social dis-crimination against the depressed castes in medieval India? Its historical change and areal diversity poses a perplexing issue. And finally, what were the problems inherent in the transformation of untouchability under British colonial rule and the subsequent development of the liberation movements of the depressed castes which constitute the modern phase of the problem of untouchability?

This volume represents the endeavours of Japanese scholars to ad-dress these vital concerns.

Hiroyuki Kotani is Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Metropolitan University. His publications include: Western India in Historical Transition, Seven-teenth to Early Twentieth Centuries (2002); Marga: Ways of Liberation, Empowerment, and Social Change in Maharashtra (2008) (co-edited with Masao Naito and lwao Shima).

This volume reflects the outcome of the many academic and field activities undertaken by a select group of Japanese researchers which was organised in 1989 to conduct intensive, multi-faceted research on the caste system and untouchability (in Japanese, Fukashokuminsei Kenkyukai). Nearly 50 members individually specializing in history, anthorcpology, religion, literature, politics, economics, geography and other fields participated in this study group.

As a result of five years of strenuous efforts made by the group, a series of five lengthy volumes under the general title of Caste System and the Depressed was published in Japanese from 1994 to 1995 by Akashi Shoten Publishers. From among more than 60 articles contained in this series of books, 10 articles focusing specifically on untouch-ability accompanied by two short introductory notes were selected for the English translation to constitute this first volume of Japanese Studies on South Asia. These volumes are to be a series of books on South Asia written in English by Japanese scholars under the general editorship and auspices of the Japanese Association for South Asian Studies.

The problem of untouchability has continued to attract considerable attention of Japanese people due to the fact that there still exist in Japan discriminatory social practices against a segment of people having a striking similarity to untouchability though not without some fundamental differences. Historical studies of untouchability are thus expected to serve in promoting a better understanding of the origin and development of the continued social discrimination against this segment of the Japanese population.