A S T E

C M O V E M E N T S

Justice MADRAS
1915-16

(Social base:Tamil Vellalas,

Mudaliars and Chettiars supported Pallis/Vanniyar
by Telugu Reddis,Kammas,
End of 19th century

Balija Naidus and Nairs(Malayali) NORTHERN TAMIL NADU

C.N Mudaliar,T.M Nair & Ezhava/ Aravippuram

Early 20th century

P.Tyagaraja Chetti; Founded KERALA
'Justice Party' which was loyal
to the British.
Ezavas were traditionaly lowly
From 1871 the Pallis claimed tappers and tenders of coconut
palm
Kshatriya status and called
On behalf of intermediate themselves 'Vanniya Kula Nanu Asan or Sri Narayan Guru;
castes and against Brahmin Kshatriya'; followed taboo he developed the concept of
predominance in education, on widow remarriage in 'One caste, one religion and
govt. service and politics. imitation of upper caste one god for mankind';Sri Nara-
Non-Brahmin manifesto of customs. yana Dharma Paripalana
Dec 20, 1916 paraded their Yogam(SNDPY)founded in 1902-
loyalism to the British. 03 by Sri Narayan Guru,Dr.Palpu
& Kumaran Asan

Considered Untouchables;
Nadar RAMNAD (SOUTH T.N) Aimed to abolish untouch-
End of 19th century

ability and to build a

Self-Respect MADRAS simplified system of rituals
K.Kamraj was a prominent
1925

(was a radical alternative to regarding worship, marriage

'Justice elitism') Nadar leader
and funerals; Also imitated
some customs of higher
E.V.Ramaswamy Naicker or castes;
Periyar (founded a Tamil journal
'Kudi Arasu'to propagate his 'Nadars'were originally
ideas;C.N Annadurai became called Shanans (untouch-
his chief lieutenant who later able toddy tappers and
started the 'Dravida Khazagam' agricultural labourers). They
underwent Sanskritisation
and claimed 'Kshatriya
Against Brahmin domination; status and raised funds for
Advocated weddings without educational and social
Brahmin priests, forcible welfare activities.
temple entry, burning of
Manu smriti & Atheism.
 Nair TRAVANCORE(KERALA) Namsudras

Beginning of 20th c
Late 19th century

C.V Raman Pillai,K.Rama Krishna FARIDPUR (BENGAL)

Pillai & Padmanabha Pillai

Kaivartas
End of 19th c
Against socio - political MIDNAPUR(BENGAL) Originally called Chandal;
domination of Nambbodiri Were untouchable peasants
Brahmins and non-Malayali who battled to improve their
Brahmins (Tamil & Maratha); ritual status and assumed the
C.V Raman Pillai organized more respectable title of
the 'Malayali Memorial' 'Namsudra' and Brahmin
(1891) and wrote a novel status.
'Martanda Verma' (1891); Kaivartas called themselves
K.Ramakrishna Pillai edited 'Mahishyas' and due to
'Swadeshabhimani'; Sanskritisation claimed
Padmanabha Pillai founded Khatriya status;Estd Jati
'Nair Service Society' (1914). Nirdharani Sabha(1897);
` Mahishya Samiti(1901);Were
looked down upon because
of their rural roots.

Satya Shodak Kayasthas

20th c
1870's

MAHARASHTRA NORTH AND EASTERN INDIA

All India Kayastha Association
Jyotiba Phule Wrote 'Ghulamgiri' (1919); 'Kayastha Samachar'
(1872);Founded 'Satyashodak
Samaj'(1873) Mahar MAHARASHTRA (1919,paper pubd from
Allahabad)
1920's

Mahars were one of the Barah

Balutas(12 artisan/servant castes
of Maharashtra)
Proclaimed the need to save Were traditionally scribes
the lower castes from the Dr.B.R Ambedkar who later claimed Brahmin
hypocritical Brahmins and status; Were the first to
their opportunistic scriptures; organize themselves into
Claimed Kshatriya status for 'Sabhas' because of their
Considered untouchables;
Marathas, wanted to do inter-provincial professional
Demanded- Right to use
away with caste system; connections.
tanks and enter temples,
Loyalist to the British.
Abolition of 'Mahar Watan' or
traditional services to village
chiefs and separate
representation in the
Legislative Council

TM