The Mahyavanshi: The Sucess Story Of A Scheduled Caste

The book examines how a Scheduled Caste traditionally occupying the lowest position in society could successfully overcome traditional socio-religious disabilities and stigma to untouchability. The contacts with the Europeans, the Christian Missionaries, the Parsis and the Muslims helped them in acquiring new occupational opportunities and education. The internal and external forces created social awakening among them. Further, they benefitted also by the indistrial urban growth of Surat city and also social legislation, constitutional provisions and special programmes meant for their development. Thus, the Mahayavanshis represent a case of the caste which has improved its social position over the period by seeking benefits of the forces operating at the society at large. The arguments are based on extensive use of historical materials.