Review: Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development

Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development by B.R. Ambedkar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I must say I am very much impressed with this book. The is scientific, logical and very thoughtful analysis of the castes in India. After reading the views of Dr. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. I must conclude that Dr. Ambedkar's analysis are much much logical and scientific than of the Gandhi Ji. The latter was a Hindu saint(lawyer turned saint) so he was thinking in that manner. Former was lawyer by profession, researcher and un - opposed leader of the Lower castes. So his analysis was thinkable and right. Because science must prevail over myths in the current society.
The Book starts with the definitions of castes by some scholars and their criticism. The concept of exogamy and endogamy used to analyse the origin and further development is better quite logical according with the limitation of the Indian culture and society. His analysis like - SOME CLOSED THE DOOR : OTHER FOUND IT CLOSED AGAINST THEM AND CASTE IS AN ENCLOSED CLASS are define the origin and reason behind the origin and development of the caste system. His arguments against Manu are most constructive. The conclusion is also impressive and give us a reason to believe that his arguments on the caste system are right in present condition. I also believe that caste exist from class divide.
After reading Annihilation of castes and Castes in India. MY conclusion is that Ambedkar was the authority on the subject of caste, not the Gandhi and his spiritual mind. However Ambedkar was also wrong about Adivasis or tribes too. So all in all Abmedkar really was the authority. You must read this book more than once to understand the caste system.

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