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Caste and Race in India
Caste is perhaps the most dominant aspect of Indian society and its study is incomplete without getting into the ramifications of the Hindu caste system. Caste and Race in India, since its first publication in the History of Civilization series, edited by C. K. Ogden in 1932, has remained a basic work for students of Indian sociology and anthropology. Over the years, this book has been highly acclaimed by teachers and reviewers alike, as a sociological classic.
The present edition, an expanded version with five new chapters, elaborates on the evolution of sub-castes, and examines caste, sub-caste and kinship. It also presents a provocative and thorough analysis of the relationship between caste and politics by drawing examples from Tamil Nadu as experienced over the years. The concluding chapter is an incisive analysis of Indian society—the author apprehends that India will develop into a plural society and not a casteless one, which was the dream of the architects of her Constitution.
Key Feature
• Focuses principally on caste
• Elaborates on the evolution of sub-castes, and examines caste, sub-caste and kinship.
• A provocative and thorough analysis of the relationship between caste and politics by drawing examples from Tamil Nadu as experienced over the years
• Caste—whatever it actually is at any given time—is always the momentary outcome of a structured constellation of historical processes.
The present edition, an expanded version with five new chapters, elaborates on the evolution of sub-castes, and examines caste, sub-caste and kinship. It also presents a provocative and thorough analysis of the relationship between caste and politics by drawing examples from Tamil Nadu as experienced over the years. The concluding chapter is an incisive analysis of Indian society—the author apprehends that India will develop into a plural society and not a casteless one, which was the dream of the architects of her Constitution.
Key Feature
• Focuses principally on caste
• Elaborates on the evolution of sub-castes, and examines caste, sub-caste and kinship.
• A provocative and thorough analysis of the relationship between caste and politics by drawing examples from Tamil Nadu as experienced over the years
• Caste—whatever it actually is at any given time—is always the momentary outcome of a structured constellation of historical processes.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1932
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 18, 2014
This is a classic example of what a data driven mess can look like. The more data the merrier, but what the fuck is this?!
October 8, 2025
1. What is this about?
This is a great work written by Professor Ghurye on India's Caste, around late 1950s, early 1960s.
As I have covered Indian History, Caste from many Sociologists, Anthropologists, I could notice diversity of views among them. However, it is saddening to notice, Indian Political discourse centers around, Caste & Affirmative-action.
So on the Indian caste question, the view points that I have come across, ranges from, blaming the British (Congress/BJP supporters), blaming Hinduism (Ambedkar), blaming capitalism (Left-wing/Marxist), patriarchy (feminists), blaming Brahmans/Vedic-Culture (Dravidian supporters), viewing Caste as a tool (British administration)
2. What do I make of this book?
From outside perspective, this seems that the Political parties, glue, manage interests of varieties/social-groups of India, such a challenging task?
Ghurye describes Caste from Historical, Comparative methodology. In this, you usually go into historical details, sources, origins and then compare with other cultures, tribes or people-groups.
While there are obviously stratification in other societies, Ghurye says, it was only Hindu system is unique in certain things. Primarily in the thoroughness of its application and the practice of untouchability. Consider the context, this work was in the India 1950s and 1960s. We'd have to ignore the racial chapter, Anthropometric which majority of Anthropologists, Sociologists have found to be irrelevant to modern science.
In Ghurye's work, lot of the purity-ritual perception are relevant to modern India.
When I say relevant, among rural-Indians or newly urbanized Indians, beliefs on colors remain the same. Among popular beliefs, I wonder if the obsession of fair-skin, comes from all this, described in this book?
Ghurye emphasizes that untouchability is the most unique feature of the Hindu system.
It arose from exaggerated notions of purity that were fundamental to the Brahmanic culture, especially in connection with the elaborate sacrificial ritual.
Anyway, this is a good work, required to be read by anyone interested in Indian History, Caste.
As I am going through Ghurye's work, I am reminded, of similar line of reasoning in Audrey Truschke's works, that makes me validate her scholarship.
3. Questions from this book, that I am wondering?
What is quite baffling to me is this How is that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the beliefs of Caste are all similar?
How did it spread, especially endogamy?
I think only answer is state-institutions.
In Indian History, from 1000-1800s, King-Administrators in the courts, must have helped-shape this?
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
This is a great work written by Professor Ghurye on India's Caste, around late 1950s, early 1960s.
As I have covered Indian History, Caste from many Sociologists, Anthropologists, I could notice diversity of views among them. However, it is saddening to notice, Indian Political discourse centers around, Caste & Affirmative-action.
So on the Indian caste question, the view points that I have come across, ranges from, blaming the British (Congress/BJP supporters), blaming Hinduism (Ambedkar), blaming capitalism (Left-wing/Marxist), patriarchy (feminists), blaming Brahmans/Vedic-Culture (Dravidian supporters), viewing Caste as a tool (British administration)
2. What do I make of this book?
From outside perspective, this seems that the Political parties, glue, manage interests of varieties/social-groups of India, such a challenging task?
Ghurye describes Caste from Historical, Comparative methodology. In this, you usually go into historical details, sources, origins and then compare with other cultures, tribes or people-groups.
While there are obviously stratification in other societies, Ghurye says, it was only Hindu system is unique in certain things. Primarily in the thoroughness of its application and the practice of untouchability. Consider the context, this work was in the India 1950s and 1960s. We'd have to ignore the racial chapter, Anthropometric which majority of Anthropologists, Sociologists have found to be irrelevant to modern science.
In Ghurye's work, lot of the purity-ritual perception are relevant to modern India.
When I say relevant, among rural-Indians or newly urbanized Indians, beliefs on colors remain the same. Among popular beliefs, I wonder if the obsession of fair-skin, comes from all this, described in this book?
Ghurye emphasizes that untouchability is the most unique feature of the Hindu system.
It arose from exaggerated notions of purity that were fundamental to the Brahmanic culture, especially in connection with the elaborate sacrificial ritual.
Anyway, this is a good work, required to be read by anyone interested in Indian History, Caste.
As I am going through Ghurye's work, I am reminded, of similar line of reasoning in Audrey Truschke's works, that makes me validate her scholarship.
3. Questions from this book, that I am wondering?
What is quite baffling to me is this How is that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the beliefs of Caste are all similar?
How did it spread, especially endogamy?
I think only answer is state-institutions.
In Indian History, from 1000-1800s, King-Administrators in the courts, must have helped-shape this?
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
April 26, 2016
It's a great and a hefty work, and defines the overall nature and evolution of caste system and the inception of new castes( on the basis of who is having sex with whom) and gotras with a cumbersome amount of data to support the same. And how it helped in manipulating (by a particular sect) the majority of section for their own interests at the cost of sufferings of others. ....INDIA's APARTHEID ... Ending with the constitutional inclusion. A must read ..
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews