Problem of Caste and Identity: The Namasudras of Colonial India

Bipul Mandal

Abstract: Identity is the sense of being or of becoming a badge that distinguish one from others. Human identity is a universal that is often treated as self evident and problematic. As a concept, it is linked to state identity, national identity, ethnic, tribal, individual or personal identity etc. The identification of members of the group on the basis of sharing common attributes on the basis of all or some of the attributes, languages, gender, religion, culture, ethnicity etc. indicates the existence or formation of identity. The state is seen as an active contributor to identity politics through creation and maintenance of state structure which defines and recognizes people in terms of certain identities. Hence we find that identity questions of various caste and communities around in India are based on language, religion, caste, ethnicity or tribal identity. Identity crisis had become one of the most serious issues in colonial and post colonial India. Every ethnic group seeks to assert their ethno-based identity. Like other communities, the Namasudra communities of North Bengal also faced identity problem for a long period of time. Initially, their efforts to protect own ethnic identity was democratic and peaceful in nature.

Keywords: Identity, Protest, Namasudra, Ethnicity, Social upliftment