Description
This groundbreaking ethnographic study by André Bétille explores the complex dynamics of social stratification in Tanjore village, examining how traditional caste-based hierarchies intersect with emerging class structures in modern India. Conducted during the post-independence period, the research demonstrates how economic development and social mobility are transforming village society while caste remains a significant organizing principle.
Bétille’s detailed analysis reveals the tension between inherited status based on caste and achieved status based on wealth and education. The book provides invaluable insights into how villages adapt to modernization, the role of land ownership and agriculture in social change, and the persistent influence of tradition in contemporary Indian society. Essential reading for understanding rural India’s social transformation and the enduring relevance of caste in stratified societies.
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