The Untouchables: Who were They and Why They became Untouchables? by B.R. Ambedkar

The Untouchables: Who were They and Why They became Untouchables? Reviews

• 
  Sanchari Chaudhuri

  Reading this felt like being taught by Ambedkar, in a classroom, as he weaves the history and its interpretations and facts into one coherent, logical picture. The entirety of the subject is broken down to fundamental questions that makes you think, and assumptions and potential answers are discussed and rejected and built upon until a reasonably logical picture arises.
  
  
  There is history here that I've studied all throughout school in bits and pieces, and was more than glad to let go when the time came. How I wish I had a teacher like him when I was in school.
  
  A very important read. For the context itself but also the way the book deals with it.
• 
  Alan Dev

  Short yet packed with a solid and convincing theory on the birth of the practice of untouchability in India. Doctor Ambedkar writes on a topic with very less material to fall back on by drawing analogies from tribes and ancient society across the world to draw parallels to India. Doctor embarks upon questions such as 'why do the untouchables live outside the village?', 'Were untouchables in fact broken men who lived outside villages?" & 'if broken men living outside village is a universal feature, how did the seperate quarters for broken men disappear outside India but not in India?' By answering these questions Doctor lay ground work for answering the origins of untouchability.
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  Gowtham

  பாபாசாகேப் அம்பேத்கரின் ஆக சிறந்த படைப்புகளில் இந்நூலும் ஒன்று. 1948ல் வெளிவந்து சமூகத்தில் பல சலசலப்பை உண்டாக்கிய நூல்.  புரட்சிகரமான கருத்துக்கள் புத்தகம் முழுவதும் கொட்டி கிடக்க சாதிய தீண்டாமையின் வேர்களை இந்நூல் வெளிச்ச படுத்துகிறது.
  
  Detailed review about the book 👇👇👇👇
  
  
  
  
  https://youtu.be/T7UuzHnuIvg
• 
  Srm Prabu

  Ambedhkar have given convincing answer for question of origin of Untouchablity in his book “The Untouchable” which no other scholar have given.He clearly explains through his research on Manu, Rig veda, Smritis etc…He proved that untouchablity emerged as late as 400 A.D.
  
  He also provides 2 reasons for Untouchablity:
  
  1.People who followed Buddhism even after Buddhism faded away..
  
  2.People who ate beef..
  His views on Aryan migration and Dravidians as Nagas is now been proven through genetic research(R1a haplogroup)
• 
  Udit Nair

  There has been lot or theories regarding the caste system and the overall theme of ascribed status. Dr Ambedkar presents a passionate argument for the existence, evolution and origin of untouchability. The author discusses about the practice of beef eating in great detail. He gives incredibly well researched arguments backed by scriptures. The book is filled with persuasive reasoning followed with concrete evidences. Some of the claims might sound too radical but cannot be ignored because of the facts presented.
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  Rishabh Sachdeva

  Enjoyable and important read. But as Babasaheb himself says it is also a vast exercise in speculation. Consider it more art than fact.
• 
  Vishal

  A short read for those who wants to understand the concept of the untouchables. Real facts concluded in a reasonable way. One might not agree for everything written, can develop your own conclusions.
• 
  Rajiv Chopra

  Impure people, or untouchables. The subject of whether we regard people as impure or untouchable is deep. Moreover, the act of regarding some people as impure seems to be endemic. We all claim to worship God. Hence, we should regard everyone as the same. Yet, we don’t.
  This book by B. R. Ambedkar is a follow up of his previous book, “Who Were The Shudras?” In that book, he postulated how the Shudras came to be regarded as the fourth caste. Additionally, he traced their fall, from being kings, to lowly people.
  In this book, he tackles the subject of untouchability. He started his book by analyzing primitive societies. As he mentions, we started as hunter-gatherers. Then came settled societies, and people began living in villages. However, some remained on the outside. Initially, they gave protection to the villagers. Subsequently, people regarded them as strange, hence impure. Dr. Ambedkar refers to these outsiders as ‘Broken People’.
  Yet, this perception of impurity was not irreversible. For instance, you could wash off the impurity (of the touch) by bathing, or performing certain rituals.
  Dr. Ambedkar argues that, in most societies, the concept of impurity gradually receded and vanished. However, when you consider the theories of Aryan or white supremacy, you realize that this is not true.
  In fact, I would say that our tendency to discriminate on grounds of race, religion, color, appearance etc., runs deep in our nature.
  The concept of untouchability did not exist in India for many centuries. In fact, there was no mention of this in our earlier texts, like “The Laws of Manu”.
  Indeed, many Indians ate beef. When did this change, and when did beef eating become associated with ritual impurity?
  Dr. Ambedkar postulated that this came about as a reaction to the rise of Buddhism. When you go back to the days of Ashoka, you realize Buddhism became popular, and this threatened the livelihood of the Brahmin priests.
  As a result, it appears, they retaliated by claiming the moral high ground. They did this by becoming vegetarians and giving up beef. As a result, they now deemed those who continued to eat beef to be impure, eventually becoming impure people, or untouchables.
  There is very little light that anyone can shed on those early days. If so, we can regard Dr. Ambedkar’s hypothesis as a valid one. As always, his research work is meticulous.
  His style is direct, with no fluff. He does not entertain ‘prisoners’. If this offends you, then it is your loss. For me, I find his approach, and the alternative theories he proposed, to be absolutely refreshing.
  
• 
  Sandeep Londhe

  This book is amazing , it exactly point out the reasons why barbaric custom like untouchability is observed in Hindu religion. It is also compares the untouchability in Hindu Religion with religions all over the world, and I come to know that although untouchability for some unhuman things and for some animals followed in some cultures no religion and culture all over the world follows such an in-human tradition.
• 
  Vignesh Narayanan

  An enthralling and truly revolutionary text on the origins of untouchability. Dr. Ambedkar not only proposes an idea of why the untouchables became the untouchables but also brilliantly eliminates the improbable theory of racial and occupational differences as the source of untouchability - which is often the savarnas justification for the existence of caste system. The sheer research and effort this man has put on all his works is just fascinating. A must-must read book for all Indians.
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  Sara Jothi

  My goodness! It spins my mind to think of the extent the research must have been stretched to conclude this much strategically and skillfully. Precise, and with appropriate references it leaves so little room for negotiation or arguments.
  I'm completely in awe of the man and of India's history at this point. The graph it has taken though!!
• 
  Pragathish Rajan

  Historical and fact based eye-opening aside, this book unravels the answers to the titular question, in a way which keeps the reader hooked. One step at a time, one answer at a time - but based on hard facts and research work - slowly, but surely this book moves forward to quell all the cloud of alternate facts (read: bs) surrounding the question. A must read, but that goes without saying.
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  Pramod Mahananda

  The reason this was a solid read is Ambedkar takes you through a logical investigation based on materials varying from ancient scriptures to contemporary surveys. He lets you know which part is fact, which part is propaganda, which part is assumption, which part is hypothesis and which part is conclusion so you can refute his stance. A very sincere approach at an undisclosed territory.
• 
  Pankaj Doltade

  Dr B.R. Ambedkar was a genius. I don't think there would ever be man more well read than he was. The amount research he has done to write this book is unimaginable.
• 
  Atul Jha

  A master piece from one of the greatest writer. Would recommend to all the prejudiced minds to have this a read and then analyse their perceptions about certain things... Much needed insights ...
• 
  Eva

  A necessary reading if you're Indian
• 
  Amarjeet Mehto

  This thesis is kind of sequel of the thesis titled "Who were the Shudras ?".
  
  With the scientific explanations, facts and evidences, both these thesis have somewhat filled the deep void of the research in this particular domain as it interests and affect a particular community, not so worthy of such investment (as they may claim) but in my opinion these work of research has not only liberated masses and will continue to do so, from the shackles of misery and agony along with putting forth the truth on the face of our modern times to correct the mistakes which our ancestors did for what they did which affect not one community but whole of our nation and to the World vis-a-vis.
• 
  Sowmy Srinivasan

  Logical but not proof enough
  
  The book, like his other books, has lot of supporting data from scriptures. But the conclusions are stated merely as opinion. It is hard to say if there are other excerpts that proves the counter point especially when the book concludes lack of data as evidence of non existence. But as always I like the authors bold statements that is awaiting healthy challenge from those who disagree. I have seen none but will be happy if someone can point me to challenges of his theory.
• 
  Pavel Das

  SAW IN NEWSPAPER