Arshan Bakshi, Week 3

Chakravarti introduces the reading by talking about how and from where we get to learn about caste as a concept in terms of sources and origins. A major part of the origins of the understanding of caste actually comes from ancient Brahmin texts and scriptures that don't really get into it's hierarchical and oppressing nature of it's principles. The degree to which bias and casteist segregation existed during that time was backed by the fact that restrictions existed even in public places. Chakravarti is of the opinion that caste has to be differentiated from any other form of inequality in the society. She also relates with caste the concept of labour and talks about how the root level agenda of the Brahmins was to make the lower castes work for them. Then there is talk of gender and caste and how the two combine to give rise to discourse over the sensitivity around the topic of female sexuality. She argues that hierarchical principles are an inherent part of the institution of marriage and within that you deal with things like the importance that is given to endogamy and how this ideal empowers the female within the society as women are seen as a gateway to prosperity and success. Chakravarti very efficiently manages to link the issues of caste, gender and class and depict how they affect the prevailing power dynamic of the Indian society.