ABSTRACT
Caste is a multifaceted and complex social phenomenon which has to be understood in historical, sociological, cultural, psychological, economic, religious and ideological as well as legal terms. This chapter introduces the concept of caste and examines what is meant by caste, both sociologically and legally. It identifies and explains the operative features of caste as a social and ideological construct, and describes the ways in which it has been conceptualised, theorised and analysed as a sociological and legal phenomenon. The chapter is in three sections. Section 1 starts by introducing the key concepts associated with caste and some of its key features, including a discussion of the concept and practice of untouchability. Section 2 sets out the historical and textual origins of a caste society, while Section 3 summarises the principal sociological theories and interpretations of caste.
