Dalit Poet-activists and Achutanand: Representative Government and Freedom in Early-Twentieth Century British India

Dalit poet-activists and their leader Swami Achutanand (1879–1933) brought concerns of caste and untouchability to bear on the debates over representative government. They published song-booklets in the 1920s in support of separate and proportional representation and of provincial legislative assemblies, and intervened in ongoing discussions on electoral franchise. This history circulated in Hindi-language song-booklets and chapbooks highlighting Achutanand's leadership, archived today in Dalit activist houses, stored in bookcases, almirahs, and trunks. 

Using these sources Ram Rawat will offer a short account of Achutanand and fellow poet-activists' activism, which had spurred a vibrant discussion on juridical transformation, freedom, and equality in British India.

Speaker

Dr Ram Rawat (University of Delaware)

Event Series

This seminar is part of the SOAS History Seminar Series.

Organiser

School of History, Religion and Philosophies, SOAS History Seminar Series.

Event Registration

To register please follow the link at the top of this page.

Image credit: Jason W Unsplash