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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Medieval India's caste transformations: A historical and socio-political analysis
Authors
Mohd Salik Wasi
Abstract
This study explores the transformation of caste structures in medieval
India through a historical and socio-political lens, drawing primarily on
secondary data and existing historiography. Traditional interpretations have
often represented caste as a rigid and immutable system; however, recent
scholarship points toward significant change shaped by political processes,
economic developments, and religious interactions. The present research
analyses how regional state formation, patterns of land control, and the
incorporation of diverse social groups contributed to the redefinition of
hierarchy and status. By engaging critically with the works of prominent
historians and sociologists, the study highlights mechanisms of social
mobility, the emergence of new jatis, and the negotiation of rank within local
contexts. It also evaluates the influence of Bhakti and Sufi traditions in
creating alternative spaces of identity while often operating within broader
structural limits. The findings suggest that caste in medieval India functioned
as a flexible yet enduring framework that adapted to shifts in power,
patronage, and material life. This reinterpretation contributes to a more
dynamic understanding of pre-modern South Asian society and challenges overly
static models of social organisation.
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Pages:135-138
How to cite this article:
Mohd Salik Wasi "Medieval India's caste transformations: A historical and socio-political analysis". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 135-138
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