The Problem of Writing Indian Historiography: Ambedkar Studies, Dalit History and Subaltern Studies; an Alternative of Indian Historiography
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Abstract
According to Ranajit Guha, the term “Subaltern” was used to describe Indian society from the perspective of “low class” people, whose identity contributes to a significant difference in Indian historiography. Guha and his colleagues argued that the definition of “Subaltern” should include class, caste, race, language and gender as major determining factors. However, previous scholarship on Subaltern Studies did not pay enough attention to Ambedkar and the Dalits who are indispensable as subjects of Subaltern studies. As a result, this may cause Subaltern studies to be vulnerable to a significant extent.
Still, Ambedkar Studies and Dalit History are crucial to Indian historiography, because both can shed light on subaltern people who are marginalized in India. Born in Dalit family, Dr. Ambedkar wanted to terminate the caste system. His ideology can be seen in his role as a leader in the Dalit Movement in the twentieth century. In fact, he supported the Dalit politically, economically, socially and culturally. For instance, he established People Education Society (PES), an organization to support education for the Dalits. Moreover, he was also a major influence in the drafting of the Constitution of India, which granted rights to subaltern people, the Dalits. It is therefore necessary to situate Ambedkar Studies and Dalit History in Indian historiography.
This article proposes that Ambedkar studies and Dalit history are important to the better understanding of Indian society as well as Subaltern Studies.
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