Dalit

Dalit (English: /ˈdælɪt/ from Sanskrit: दलित, romanized: dalita meaning "broken/scattered"), also some of them previously known as untouchables, is the lowest stratum of the castes in the Indian subcontinent.^[1] Dalits were excluded from the fourfold varna of the caste hierarchy and were seen as forming a fifth varna, also known by the name of Panchama. Several scholars have drawn parallels between Dalits and the Burakumin of Japan,^[2] the Baekjeong of Korea^[3] and the peasant class of the medieval European feudal system.^[4]

Dalits predominantly follow Hinduism, with significant populations of the adherents of Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam. Scheduled Castes is the official term for Dalits, who get reservations under positive discrimination, as per the constitution of India.

^ "From Buddhist texts to East India Company to now, 'Dalit' has come a long way". The Times of India. 5 September 2018.
^ Hankins, Joseph D (2014). Working Skin: Making Leather, Making a Multicultural Japan. University of California Press. p. 113. ISBN 9780520959163.
^ Sudrania, OP (9 September 2012). "Castes in a Global Perspective - Is Caste Only a Hindu Problem? (Part 6)". ChakraNews.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
^ Noble, Thomas (2002). The Foundations of Western Civilization. Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company. ISBN 978-1565856370.

[1] "From Buddhist texts to East India Company to now, 'Dalit' has come a long way". The Times of India. 5 September 2018.

[2] Hankins, Joseph D (2014). Working Skin: Making Leather, Making a Multicultural Japan. University of California Press. p. 113. ISBN 9780520959163.

[:4-3] Sudrania, OP (9 September 2012). "Castes in a Global Perspective - Is Caste Only a Hindu Problem? (Part 6)". ChakraNews.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.

[4] Noble, Thomas (2002). The Foundations of Western Civilization. Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company. ISBN 978-1565856370.

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