Untouchable Castes in India: Raigar Movement 1940-2004: The Raigar Movement (1940-2004)

Book Details:

• Author: A. B. Shyamlal

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2007

• ISBN: 9788131600290

• Pages: 362

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches

About the Book:
The emergence of untouchables on India’s socio-political stage marks one of the most significant developments of the twentieth century. This pioneering study documents the rise of the Raigar community as a socio-political force between 1940 and 2004, highlighting their journey from self-reform initiatives to active participation in the freedom struggle.

Focusing on eight northern Indian states—Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab—the book examines the genesis and evolution of the Raigar movement, including successive agitations, organizational efforts, and their fight against socio-religious and economic discrimination.

The author situates the Dalit Movement within the broader spectrum of socio-religious and educational reform movements, revealing how the Raigars worked to transform their socio-economic status while challenging the caste system. The book also provides a critical assessment of the achievements and limitations of the movement in both pre- and post-independence India.

This insightful work is a valuable resource for political scientists, sociologists, cultural historians, activists, and scholars interested in Dalit studies, social reform movements, and the grassroots struggles of India’s untouchables.