Dalits and the Democratic Revolution: Dr Ambedkar and the Dalit Movement in Colonial India

Gail Omvedt

Jan 1994 · SAGE Publications India

About this ebook

This important book traces the history of the Dalit movement from its beginning in the 19th century to the death of its most famous leader, B.R. Ambedkar, in 1956. Focusing on three states—Andhra,Maharashtra and Karnataka—Dr Omvedt analyses the ideology and organization of the movement and its interaction both with the freedom struggle(particularly with Gandhi and Gandhism) and the `class` struggles of the workers and peasants (and their dominant ideology-Marxism). She also provides a historical account of the origin and development of the caste system.

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About the author

Dr. Gail Omvedt has been living in India since 1978, became an Indian citizen in 1983, and works as a freelance writer and development consultant. She has also worked actively with various social movements including the Dalit and anti-caste movements, farmers’ movements, environmental movement and especially with rural women.

Besides having undertaken many research projects, Dr Omvedt has been a consultant for FAO, UNDP and NOVIB and has served as a Dr Ambedkar Chair Professor at NISWASS in Orissa, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Pune and an Asian Guest Professor at the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Copenhagen. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and Research Director of the Krantivir Trust.

A prolific writer, Gail Omvedt has published a large number of books including Dalit Visions (1975), Violence against Women: New Theories and New Movements in India (1991) and Dalits and Democractic Revolution (1994) besides having translated Growing up Untouchable in India: A Dalit Autobiography. She is currently engaged in translating Tukaram, considered to be the greatest Marathi writer of all time.