The books studies the changing patterns of stratification in Indian Caste System. It recounts the gradual transformation of a social system that, till the end of the nineteenth century, was structured primarily on distinctions of caste-between the Brahmins, the middle-level non-Brahmins and the Sudra. The book shows how the forces of modernization had rendered some areas of village life caste-free, while others were still governed by considerations of caste. The locus of power had shifted from the caste structure to more differentiated institutions such as the Panchayats and political parties. With land coming into the market, the distribution of property was dissociated from caste.

Table of Contents:
• Preface • I. CASTE AND HINDUISM : 1. The Indian Caste System 2. Varna and Jati 3. Role of Brahmins in Hindu Society 4. Rigorous Life Cycle of a Brahman Born 5. Untouchability 6. Caste Conversion 7. Caste System among Non-Hindus 8. Kumbh Mela and Caste 9. Gandhi and Brahmins 10. Caste and Economic Development 11. Status of Dalit Women in India's Caste Based System • II. RACIAL THEORY OF CASTE : 1. Race and Racism 2. Why the British Hated the Brahmins 3. Racism in British India 4. Affirmative Action in India 5. New Communalism of Modern India 6. Racial Theory of Caste 7. Bases of Social Order 8. Duties and Privileges 9. Compare this with American/European Christian Societies 10. Ethnicisation Versus Sanskritisation • III. THE RISE OF THE BACKWARD CASTES : 1. Social Justice 2. For Enforcing Equality and Removing Disability 3. For Creating Deterrence Against Physical Violence 4. For Elimination of Degrading and Humiliating Customary Practices 5. For Preventing Control Over Fruits of Labour 6. For Curbing Unequal Distribution of Economic Assets 7. For Positioning Watchdog Arrangements 8. Why Reservation is Necessary 9. Mandal Commission 10. Mandal's True Inheritors • IV. CASTE AND THE POWER : THE CHANGING PATTERN : 1. The Indian Political System 2. Caste Politics in India 3. Caste, Race, Politics 4. Modernity and Caste Politics 5. Caste-based Parties 6. Class, Caste and Gender-Women in Parliament in India 7. One Step Outside Modernity 8. Caste Politics in North, West and South India before Mandal 9. Bihar Caste, Politics and the Cycle of Strife