dynasty, which belonged to the Suryavanshi Kshatriya lineage. The city of Chamrawati in Gujarat was the capital of this dynasty under its first prominent ruler, Chamarsen. But how did a powerful dynasty of Surya-vanshi Kshatriyas fall into status to be later known as Chamars? The answer lies in the study of *" Hindu Charmakar Jati "*, a book authored by senior BJP leader and former MP Dr. Vijay Sonkar Shastri.
Commenting on the book, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati of Badrikashram Jyotirmath says that the Indian cultural context of varna( class) was based on economy, while ashrama( life stages) system was based on dharma and spirituality. Caste system is a distorted form of varna. Dr. Shastri ' s book is highly relevant in the context of untouchability. In reality,
untouchability has no place in the framework of varna and caste systems. It is necessary to bring the truth of these matters to society. The book, divided into eight chapters, begins with the first chapter
April 2025 | Dalit Andolan Patrika 45