DALIT

Science of material gain or classical Indian text of realpolitik. This ancient work contains details of how the Aryan king should break up democratic tribes by means of divide and rule, annihilate their structure and settle the population as sudras or menials.

The name by which the Vedic people called themselves. The tern became to mean noble later on.

Science of long life or science of ancient Indian medicine.

Castes which are not untouchables but are higher in status than Dalits. These can range from castes which are the major dominant castes in the Indian countryside to castes which may be financially less better off than some Dalits.

Founder of the Virashaiva or Lingayata sect c.1106- c.1167.

Piety,personal devotion or worship offered to a divinity often via a guru.

Member of a pan North Indian caste cluster who because of their tradition of leather working are considered by the upper castes to to be permanently polluted.

Literally four varnas. See Varna. According to this scheme there is no fifth varna or a group of persons who are designated achhuts or untouchables as the Vedas only mention four varnas. However in reality there is not only a fifth varna, there are adivasis (members of Indian tribes) who do not belong to any Hindu social category. Hence Chaturvarna is a theoretical fiction.

'Broken', 'downtrodden' or 'oppressed' a term the untouchables use to describe themselves. This term has a more defiant and universal meaning. The term Harijan, coined by Gandhi is frowned upon as it was also used to describe the illegitimate offspring of Devadasis or temple prostitutes.

Literally 'stick', symbols of state power in ancient India. Officials with names such as Dandanayak and Mahadandanayak existed with magisterial functions in the Gupta period.

Righteousness, doctrine, morality, law, religion

Religion, law, morality, the Way. That which upholds. Commonly applied to Hindu religion or Hindu way of life. Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs also use the same term. Part of the Hindu Dharma is varnaasharma Dharma or the caste system in its practical aspects.

Teacher

North Indian peasant/agricultural but dominant caste especially in the countryside. Most Jats in the Panjab belong to the Sikh religion.Outside of the Panjab most Jats are Hindus whereas in Pakistan most Jats are Muslims.

The age of Kali, The age of darkness,chaos and evil.