Caste, Colonialism and Thiyya Bureaucracy

Abstract

The untouchable caste under colonialism identified caste as the main impediment to progress and their existing miserable life. Western education and entry to British administration as officials made them all the more conscious of the relationship between caste and their wretched life. Western education made them eligible to become government officials and other diverse job opportunities as well. Colonialism introduced them to modern western ideas with which they organized themselves to fight against caste. Colonialism gave economic freedom and through it social status too; but caste was the determining factor in the social status among the natives. They understood that colonialism was not on a ‘civilizing mission’ in India.  The paper analyses the interrelationship among caste, colonialism and Thiyya bureaucracy in transforming an untouchable caste.