Indian Caste System A Study

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In issuing this little book on a subject of great complexity but of considerable practical value, I have been guided mainly by two considerations: first, that what has been said on it by observers and writers of some authority should be more widely known among those who are desirous of seriously studying it; and secondly, that the Is that research into it should take here after shell, if possible, be clearly grasped before any tangible results could be hoped for from it. While no originality whatever is claimed for what is contained in the volume, readers will perceive that no pains have been spared to state the theories concerned in as clear a manner as possible and to limit their discussion to the barest dimensions possible. This, it is hoped, will prove an advantage to those interested in the subject. They would for one thing, be enabled to see the wood from the trees, and thus be helped to probe further into the subject. The topic too is so vast and so important, from a social, and, let me add, scientific point of view that greater attention deserves to be given to it than it has so far received from scholars in this country.

I am deeply indebted to Professor Wadia not only for the personal interest he evinced in the subject-matter of this book, when it first appeared in a series of articles in the Mysore Economic Journal, but also for the readiness with which he undertook to introduce it to the larger public engaged in the study of socio-economic matters.

In the proparation of the Index and the passing of the proofs to the Press, I have derived valuable help from Mr. 13. Garuda char, Chief Examiner, Bangalore Press, which I desire to acknowledge here.

There is nothing so unique in India, nothing so all-pervasive in India as caste. Normally one may expect that so common a theme would be as well understood as it is talked about. But it does not take one long to discover how involved it is and how ignorant we are about it. Some good research has been done throwing some light on its complexity, but a goodly portion of it lies buried in census reports or learned tomes, and the man in the street, even an educated one, knows precious little about it. That is why I felt very much interested in the articles on caste, which appeared in the pages of the Mysore Economic Journal from the well-known peu of Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao. It is a very happy idea to republish them in book form, and I for one particularly welcome it. With the modesty of a scholar, Mr. Hayavadana Kao has resisted the temptation to take sides, to condemn it as satanic or laud it as divine. He has not aspired to give a new theory or bless any old theory relating to caste.

**Contents and Sample Pages**