A CORPSE IN THE WELL

BY- SHANKARRAO KHARAT

1 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU
 The following features are to be discussed
Treatment of Mahar and Ramoshi communities in the village
Role of Mahars in handling of dead bodies in the village
Contrast the treatment given to Anna and the Village Chief
Is the horse of the head constable a symbol? If yes then how?
The snake in the story is an important symbol, how?
What is the importance of the caste of the eponymous corpse
in the well.
Contrast the personalities of Anna and his son.
Explain the role played by education in the life of the narrator.

2 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU
 Mahar Vatan Share
Before Independence, rulers, including the British,
awarded land to persons of certain communities for
their services. These lands were
called watan or inam land. In Maharashtra, land gifts
were given to those of the priestly caste, Marathas,
Chaugules, among others. They also awarded land to
Mahar and Ramoshi communities, now categorised as
Scheduled Castes (SC).

3 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU
 These Dalit communities were awarded land for their
services such as cleaning villages, management of dead
animals, delivering government documents, protecting
villages as watchmen, etc.
After Independence, the government abolished
the watansystem, through the enactment of the Bombay
Inferior Village Watans Abolition Act, 1958. However, the
Act recognised Mahar, Ramoshi and Matang (a small
population in Maharashtra) communities’ need for this
land for sustenance.

4 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU
 The 1958 Act aimed to protect Dalits’ access to land. It
made provision for re-granting watan land to the
individuals of watandar (holder of awarded land)
communities. The families could claim the land from the
government by paying three years’ annual tax on the land.
And, on paying 13 years’ tax, they could have absolute
ownership of this land.
The Act also aimed to ensure that the watan land meant
for Mahar and Ramoshi people doesn’t fall out of their
hands. This land cannot be transferred to persons of other
communities. Moreover, Dalit families can use this land
only for agricultural and allied purposes to sustain
livelihoods.

5 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU
 THE END

6 CREATED BY- KOPAL VATS, DEPARTMENT OF 11/23/2023

ENGLISH, MLSU