Synopsis The Dalit issue is not only confined to a mere socio-political phenomenon, but it is seen to be deep-rooted into the historical context of the multi-caste social settings in India. There is no denying of the fact that the Dalits have been raising various thoughtful questions during the different times that are found to be reflected in the variegated behaviour-patterns and action-orientations of this oppressed group of humanity to having multifaceted ways and means for the maintenance of life. Gradual awakening of the Dalits under the leadership of the towering personalities, no doubt, has exerted a strong protest against the unjust thinking patterns nurtured by the advantageiuos cast groups. The emergence of a newly developed perception of identity among the Dalits has brought forward a challenging force against the age-long system of exploitations at cultural, economical and political levels. the present anthology, comprised of 17 papers and a broad-based introduction has presented an overall cognizance on the patterns and perspectives of the varied spheres of interactions that have been and are being effected in the long course of their journey through time and space. The application of historical, sociological and anthropological methodologies in the elucidation of multiplex dimensions of the Dalit issues has, no doubt, added a novel angle of vision to this cohesive compendium. It will, by dint of its merit, invite a wide range of readership especially from the domains of sociology social history, political science, anthropology and also it will be attractive to the persons connected with the administrative spheres as well as social planning and development.