includes index and biblioraphy

The emergence of the untouchables on the socio-political scene is one of the signinficant events of the twentieth century India. This pioneering study traces the history of this phenomenon in the form of the rise of the Riagar community as a socio-political force from 1940-2004. Focusing on eight stattes of northern India-Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharstra, Haryana and Punjab, the author traces the genesis and development of the Raigar movement from its early days of self-reform through the successive agitations, formation of organizations and their active participation in freedom struggle. He also provides the traditional account of socio-religious, educational and economic disabilities imposed on untouchables in a traditional Hindu society.