Caste

This book is a detailed account of how hierarchy has been maintained historically by the Nepali state, affirming the uniqueness of a caste-based social order by bringing outsiders, especially ethnic groups and religious minorities, into the caste fold. Focusing on the contemporary state of Dalits, the community that was and is put at the bottom of a very hierarchical social order in Nepal, the author argues that the traditional caste-based social order is still prevalent in the “new” Nepal even after the recent socio-political and constitutional changes.

This book is a detailed account of how hierarchy has been maintained historically by the Nepali state, affirming the uniqueness of a caste-based social order by bringing outsiders, especially ethnic groups and religious minorities, into the caste fold. Focusing on the contemporary state of Dalits, the community that was and is put at the bottom of a very hierarchical social order in Nepal, the author argues that the traditional caste-based social order is still prevalent in the “new” Nepal even after the recent socio-political and constitutional changes.

Parle Patel, a young British Hindu and popular YouTuber, has grown up part of an ancient caste system - one that works a bit like social class here in the UK. It ranks you from highest to lowest, and it’s something you are born into. This system has informed who he is and the kind of job he should be doing. But Parle does not want to be what his caste dictates. Since a young age he has always wanted to dance, perform and entertain. And this hasn’t always gone down well with other Hindus. As he comes to terms with his own views on caste, he wants to know what kind of impact caste has on other Hindus living in Britain?