University of California Press Caste, Class, and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village

Caste, Class, and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village provides a detailed sociological examination of the evolving relationships between caste, class, and political power in Sripuram, a village in Tanjore District, South India. This study situates Sripuram within its historical, cultural, and economic context while exploring its transformation from a traditional agrarian society dominated by rigid caste hierarchies to a more dynamic and stratified social structure. The book highlights the persistence of traditional social patterns, such as the spatial segregation of castes in the village, while documenting significant changes, including the loosening of caste's grip on economic and political life. It traces how Brahmins, once the dominant landowning and political elite, have seen their traditional authority eroded by the rise of Non-Brahmin castes and the introduction of modern political institutions like panchayats and political parties. The analysis also focuses on the interplay between caste, class, and power, revealing how these hierarchies, once closely aligned, are now diverging. While caste still influences social identity and relations, economic modernization, education, and political participation have increasingly enabled mobility across traditional boundaries. The book discusses the growing presence of Non-Brahmins and Adi-Dravidas in education and political life, as well as the impact of land reforms on agrarian relations. Despite these changes, the study acknowledges the challenges of entrenched inequalities, particularly for the Adi-Dravidas, who remain economically and socially marginalized. Through its comprehensive approach, the book offers valuable insights into the processes of modernization, social mobility, and the enduring legacies of traditional systems in rural South India. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.