Synopsis Dalits or the downtrodden are the weakest among the weaker sections of our society. For thousands of years, their condition has been unchanged, to a great extent, despite all progress and development at various levels. In our social fabric, for centuries, the caste identities have surfaced as an important force in contemporary politics. These inequalities and exploitation by the society at large, encouraged by our ancient caste system, needs to be eradicated. This thought has stimulated fresh thinking in academic circles on the question of the essence of caste. Inspite of various theories and different views on Dalits or the Scheduled Castes, as this group is termed as constitutionally, it is an agreed point that this neglected lot in our society deserves genuine attention and concern of politicians and intellectuals. This work, comprehensive and exhaustive in its form, is a practical reaction from an awakened author and a concerned social activist. This book is a valuable addition to the ‘not so rich’ literature on this subject.