Nationalism in India, Semester 2nd, GE paper for all Hons courses, by Nalini Goyal (23.3.

20 --
27.3.2020)

The Caste Question:

Anti - Brahminical Politics

-Hindu society is traditionally divided into four classes-- Brahmins , Kshatriyas, Vaishya,and
Shudras.
-There was to be close linkage between varna and profession; it was not based on one's birth,
but on one's innate tendencies and qualities.
- So, it was not hierarchical also.
- Gradually, in due course of time, this varna ( ) system degenerated into Caste
System, which was birth based, hierarchical in nature and exploitative in character.
- Four fold division of society degenerated into hundreds of divisions within each caste.
- British contact didn't change the social structure. But British-Indian administrative set up
offered jobs and power positions in the field of law, police, army and civil services.
-The Upper castes, specifically Brahmins, who had accepted the the new English education
system, benefited cause they had access to information and opportunities.
- Subsequently, the non-Brahmin section became conscious of their limitations to take
advantage of the opportunities offered by the colonial state.
- Efforts for affirmative action started in the field of education and employment.
- Princely states- Mysore and Kolhapur started reservation in services for 'non-Brahmin' castes.
- In Maharashtra:
Jyotiba Phule started 'Satya Shodhak Samaj' (society of truth seekers) in 1873.
-Phule tried to unite all non-Brahminical sections, including Dalits to oppose Brahminic
domination in all walks of life.
- He opposed caste system
- But he started concentrating on the mobilization of his own 'Kunbi' caste to get 'Kshatriya'
identity. This move alienated Dalits from his non-Brahminical movement.
- Many sections/groups created ---
1. Bahujan samaj 2. Shethji-Bhatji 3. Rich sections among the non-Brahmins... they formed non-
Brahmin Association and pledged loyalty to British in 1919.
- When Gandhi's leadership came, non-Brahmin association moved closer to Congress. New
leaders were N V Gadgil and Keshavrav Jedhe, who merged with Congress and broadened the
base of the national Movement.

In Madras Region:
The problem was of Tamil language & Dravidian identity.
-Anti-Brahmin, anti-Aryan & anti-North became the main slogan for non-Brahmin masses.
- In 1916, M C. Rajah set up Justice Party, and demanded separate communal representation in
Madras Legislative Council.
- E. V. Ramaswamy Naiker started "Self - Respect Movement " which was a cultural movement
and it took pride in Tamil language and Dravid culture. 'Self respect was a precursor to self rule'
was their slogan. Talked of separate state, Dravidnadu, a non-Brahmin state.