THE SOCIOLOGY OF CASTE: Ideology, Practice, and Policy N. Jayaram

The Sociology of Caste brings together ten insightful essays by N. Jayaram that examine caste as one of the most enduring and influential institutions in Indian society. Combining historical, sociological, and public policy perspectives, the volume explores the ideology, practice, transformation, and contemporary relevance of caste in India and beyond.
The essays in the first part analyse the changing relationship between caste and Hinduism, the dynamics of caste and religion in Karnataka, and the persistence and transformation of caste among Indo-Trinidadian Hindus. Together, they demonstrate how caste has adapted to changing social and political contexts while retaining its significance as a marker of identity and social organisation.
The second part focuses on the challenges of overcoming caste-based exclusion and inequality. Through critical examinations of protective discrimination, educational policy, religious conversion, and legal intervention, the author evaluates the strengths and limitations of various strategies adopted for the emancipation of historically disadvantaged communities.
The final part addresses the place of caste in public policy, engaging with debates on affirmative action, compensatory discrimination, and caste enumeration in the census. These essays illuminate the continuing importance of caste in shaping policy discourse and democratic politics in contemporary India.
Scholarly yet accessible, this volume offers a nuanced understanding of caste as both a social institution and a public issue. It will be of immense value to students, researchers, policymakers, and all those interested in Indian society, social stratification, and social justice.