Land and Caste in South India

Dharma Kumar's 'Land and Caste in South India' is a foundational study that examines agrarian structures, landholding patterns and the role of caste in southern Indian society.

Kumar challenges simplistic accounts that attribute agrarian change solely to colonial disruption, instead analysing long-term continuities and local variations.

Using archival evidence and historical analysis, the book explores how land relations and caste hierarchies shaped rural economies and social relations.

It remains influential in Indian economic and social history for its methodological rigor and nuanced conclusions.

The work is frequently cited by historians and social scientists studying agrarian change and caste dynamics.