Ambedkar The Hero Of Mahars
Nanzan University
Dr. Ambedkar: The Hero of the Mahars, Ex-Untouchables of India
Author(s): Indira Y. Junghare
Source: Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 47, No. 1 (1988), pp. 93-121
Published by: Nanzan University
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1178254
Accessed: 04-04-2015 11:32 UTC
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Dr. Ambedkar: The Hero of the
Mahars, Ex-Untouchables of India*
INDIRA Y. JUNGHARE
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
DR.
AMBEDKAR:
BACKGROUND AND PERSONALITY
The Mahars of Maharashtra are particularly important because it was with this group that the Untouchable Movement in India began in the early twentieth century. Under the leadership of Bhimrao Ambedkar, this movement won political and social rights for the Untouchables.
The term "untouchable " is used to designate castes which are considered polluting. For this reason, Untouchables are not allowed to enter temples of the high-caste Hindus. In Maharashtra the Mahars constitute about 70% of the total untouchable population and also represent about 9% of the state 's population (Zelliot 1969, 18). Traditionally, the Mahars had no special skill or craft. Some worked as general village servants, performing the duties of watchman, street sweepers, wall-menders, caretakers
Dr. Ambedkar: The Hero of the Mahars, Ex-Untouchables of India
Author(s): Indira Y. Junghare
Source: Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 47, No. 1 (1988), pp. 93-121
Published by: Nanzan University
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1178254
Accessed: 04-04-2015 11:32 UTC
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship.
For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
Nanzan University is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Asian Folklore Studies.
http://www.jstor.org
This content downloaded from 202.41.10.21 on Sat, 04 Apr 2015 11:32:02 UTC
All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Dr. Ambedkar: The Hero of the
Mahars, Ex-Untouchables of India*
INDIRA Y. JUNGHARE
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
DR.
AMBEDKAR:
BACKGROUND AND PERSONALITY
The Mahars of Maharashtra are particularly important because it was with this group that the Untouchable Movement in India began in the early twentieth century. Under the leadership of Bhimrao Ambedkar, this movement won political and social rights for the Untouchables.
The term "untouchable " is used to designate castes which are considered polluting. For this reason, Untouchables are not allowed to enter temples of the high-caste Hindus. In Maharashtra the Mahars constitute about 70% of the total untouchable population and also represent about 9% of the state 's population (Zelliot 1969, 18). Traditionally, the Mahars had no special skill or craft. Some worked as general village servants, performing the duties of watchman, street sweepers, wall-menders, caretakers
References: 21. Chaudar: lit. tasty; the Mahad Tank agitation (1927) is known as Chaudar Tank Satyagraha for its tasty water. 22. The Kalaram Temple Entry Satyagraha occurred at the city of Nasik (1930). 23. The Parvati Temple Entry Satyagraha was organized at Poona (1929).