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Abstract
This study examines the concept of identity and its influence on the self-esteem of the agricultural community known as Kudmi-Mahato, who migrated to Lakshmania village, which is situated in the northern part of West Bengal, from different parts of South Bihar (currently Jharkhand state) between the 1960s and the 1980s. The key focus is on the community’s adoption of higher-caste surnames, a practice linked to M.N. Srinivas’ concept of Sanskritization. However, this strategy often failed to provide real mobility within the caste hierarchy, leading some Kudmi-Mahatos to retrofiliate – a process of returning to their Indigenous identity in order to access affirmative action benefits and reassert their cultural roots. Through in-depth interviews with 40 participants aged over 65, this qualitative study uncovers the causes and effects of identity shifts among the Kudmi-Mahatos of Lakshmania to navigate the intricate socio-political landscape of caste and social mobility in contemporary India. Their experiences contribute to our understanding of identity formation, social mobility, and the evolving strategies of marginalized communities within stratified societies.
Published Version
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