The Silk Industry in the Development of 'Untouchable' Castes in Karnataka, India

This paper first examines the ways in which the identities of particular 'Untouchable' castes. rather than being fixed and traditional. have altered locally. drawing from the experience of silk reeling in rural south err^ Karnataka. [luring the first phase i e, in the early part of this century. the 'Untouchable castes' played a pioneering role in reeling. But with the entry of agricultural castes as businessmen-reelers, the former became no more than labourers With the retreat of the agricultural castes from the industry in the 1980s and the 'Untouchables' becoming entrepreneurs. there was a renewed domination far those who had originated it. This was, however, checked by difficulties in the wider field of silk production - a cruel reminder of the vulnerability of the poor entrepreneur. however enterprising. Secondly. the paper considers the implications of involvement with this form of economic enterprise, finding results particularly mixed for women and children.