Caste, Class and Power by Andre Beteille

Description

*CASTE, CLASS AND POWER* by André Béteille is a seminal sociological study that examines the intricate relationships between caste, class, and power dynamics in Indian society. Based on Béteille’s extensive fieldwork in a South Indian village, the book explores how these three elements intersect and shape social hierarchy and individual lives within a traditional Indian community.

Béteille challenges the simplistic view of Indian society as solely organized around caste, showing how class and power are equally influential in determining social status and opportunities. He meticulously analyzes the roles of landownership, economic status, and political influence, alongside the caste system, to present a more nuanced picture of social stratification in rural India.

The book’s empirical approach, combined with Béteille’s keen theoretical insights, makes it a classic in Indian sociology. *CASTE, CLASS AND POWER* continues to be a foundational text for understanding the complexities of social structures in India, offering readers a deeper perspective on how traditional and modern forces coexist and shape the lives of individuals within the larger social order.