The concept of dominant caste has been used for the first time in sociological literature

by an eminent sociologist.
Prof. M.N. Srinivas in his essay “The Social System of a Mysore Village”, which was
written after his study of village Rampura.

Srinivas says that the existence of dominant caste is not particular to Rampura village
only. It is also found in other villages of the country.

“A caste may be said to be dominant when it preponderates numerically over other

castes and when it also wields preponderant economic and political power. A large and
powerful caste group can be more easily dominant if its position in the local caste
hierarchy is not too low.” —M.N. Srinivas
McKim Marriott viewed that the concept of dominant caste in various studies of
anthropological research lies on the political power which traditionally called as juridical
power in village community and at times yields religious and quasi-divine power and the
power to employ physical force.

“A caste to be dominant, it should own a sizable amount of the arable land locally
available, have strength of numbers and occupy a high place in the local hierarchy.
When a caste has all the attributes of dominance, it may be said to enjoy a decisive
dominance.” —M.N. Srinivas

Dimension of Functions of Dominant Caste:

1. The dominant caste often acts as a reference model to the lower caste group. The
lower caste people imitate their behaviour, ritual pattern, customs etc. In this way, they
help in cultural transmission.
2. The dominant castes of a particular locality act as watch dogs of pluralistic culture
and system. They set norms and regulations for social life. Anyone who violates the
norms Is severely punished. Anil Bhatt has pointed out that the leaders of the locally
dominant caste may arbitrate in village disputes. They decide the mode of rewards and
punishment. They may determine civic and economic privileges.

3)Dominant castes are the main power holders. They establish contacts with the outside
government officials, elected representatives and political leaders. They influence the
political process.
4)Dominant castes because of their dominant position exploit all the developmental
sources in their favour. They act as agents of rehabilitation programmes. They
accelerate the process of socio-economic developments.
5) The Dominant castes set values and norms for the community. Traditionally, its
primary functions were Judicial, executive and legitimacy. They form the vital link
between the villages and the other world. They also help in the socialisation process.
6. Due to dominant position in rural society, they control the rural economy in various
ways and means.
7. Dominant castes play a greater role in the process of modernisation.
Criticisms:
(a) Adrian C. Mayer (1958) has questioned the stress on numerical dominance. He has
also pointed out to the failure of the concept to deal with the fact that power and
prestige are often in the hands of few individuals. He has also pointed out to the need to
recognise that dominance is not simply an one way affair since dominance is an object
of emulation for the caste beneath it in the hierarchy.
(b) Louis Dumont has claimed that dominance should be considered as a purely secular
phenomenon distinct from hierarchy which is purely ritual.
(c) Gardener reviewed that “dominance” should not be conceptualized in the form of
caste only.
As there are four basic levels of dominant castes:
1. The ruler
2. The regionally dominant caste
3. The locally dominant caste
4. The village level landed pattern of dominant caste.
(d) David Pocock observes that Sanskritizatlon is outside the pale of pan-Indian culture
and it is a manifestation of highly localised process of cultural change. At the micro-
structural level of villages and other territorial groups there were functional equivalents
of the kingly role represented by what Srinivas called “dominant-castes”.
(e) With the land reforms, big landowning class has ceased to be an important element
of dominance. Andre Beteille observes that in place of big landowning class, the
strength of numerical support has become a decisive factor in the formation of a
dominant caste.
(f) Dominant caste is not always numerically a preponderant caste. D.N. Majumdar
observes that the scheduled castes preponderate in many villages. But the people
belonging to the upper caste exercise power and authority in such villages.