Mahad : The Making of the First Dalit Revolt : With the Account of Comrade R.B. More, the Chief Organizer of the First Conference

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction: the importance of Mahad. 2. The run-up to Mahad. 3. A muted Manifesto: The Bahishkrut conference: 19-20 March 1927. 4. The silenced salvos: Satyagraha Conference, 25-27 December, 1927. 5. The Satyagraha of Chavadar Tank. 6. Looking back, moving forward: reflecting on Mahad. Appendices. Index. Mahad has an iconic place in Dalit universe. Associated with legendary personality of Dr. Ambedkar, the struggle of Dalits at Mahad for asserting their rights to access the public tank, the Chavadar tank, arguably ranks among the first civil rights struggles in History. Unfortunately it remained largely confined to folklore, its detailed account still remaining fragmented and in mostly Marathi. This book provides a comprehensive account, using many sources including the archival materials, of the two conferences in Mahad in 1927 that marks the beginning of the Dalit movement under Babasaheb Ambedkar to a wider readership in English. It tries to frame it within its historical context which will help people comprehend its historical significance. It also seeks to draw certain lessons for the future course of the Dalit movement. The book additionally contains the original account of Comrade R.B. More the organizer of the first conference at Mahad. (jacket).…