Abstract
Although Indian society is constitutionally democratic, it remains vulnerable to the caste system. As an everlasting social element, caste particles have been remarkably amalgamated with every constituent of society in villages, where land and agriculture occupy the cardinal position. The landlordism or semi-feudal system in Indian rural society stands as a relic of ancient hierarchal social order which impairs the progression and emancipation of Dalits, even after political independence through the constitution has made them a path to march forward. This research article scrutinises the social and economic coalescence between landlordism and the caste system in India by analysing the novel Seasons of the Palm. The study adheres to the evident existence of Dalits in India as they are not only socially excluded but also economically deprived which has been represented in the novel with profound instances. The research posits that Dalits are passive, submissive, detached from retaliation, and protest against exploitation due to their position as landless in rural society who strive to secure the basic necessities from landlords. In addition, the study incorporates Ambedkar’s ideologies and insights to locate the problems of Dalits in a right trajectory in order to annihilate the disparities.
Keywords: Ambedkar, Castes, Class, Dalits, Landlordism, Village.