Abstract

Caste has remained one of the most powerful and enduring forces shaping Indian society and politics. From a rigid social hierarchy rooted in religious norms to a dynamic political identity influencing electoral outcomes and public policies caste has undergone a remarkable transformation. This research paper presents an interdisciplinary analysis of the evolution of caste politics in India integrating insights from sociology political science history and economics. It explores the historical construction of caste during the colonial period its political reconfiguration in the post-independence era and its adaptation in the age of democracy globalization and digital activism. The study argues that while caste-based mobilization has democratized Indian politics by empowering marginalized communities it has simultaneously reinforced identity-based divisions. The paper concludes that the future of caste politics lies not in its disappearance but in its ethical transformation—from a politics