M.N. Srinivas's Dominant Caste: Solution

Understanding Dominant Caste

M.N. Srinivas introduced the concept of 'dominant caste' to describe a caste that holds significant influence within a village or local area. This dominance stems primarily from its position in the social hierarchy and its control over resources.

Key Characteristics of Dominant Caste

According to Srinivas, a caste achieves dominance based on a combination of factors:

• Numerical Strength: Being the largest group in the village is a fundamental requirement for dominance.
• Economic Power: This is typically linked to the possession of land and other productive resources, allowing the caste significant leverage.
• Political Power: The ability to influence village affairs and decision-making processes is crucial. This power often derives from their economic standing and numerical strength.

Non-Characteristic Feature Identified

The question asks to identify what is *not* a characteristic feature. Analyzing the options:

• Options 1, 2, and 3 (Numerical strength, Economic power through land possession, and Political power) are core components of Srinivas's definition.
• Option 4, Membership in militant organizations, is not considered a defining characteristic of dominant caste by M.N. Srinivas. While conflict might occur, active membership in militant groups is not a prerequisite or defining trait for establishing dominance in his conceptual framework.

Therefore, 'Membership in militant organizations' is the correct answer as it is not a characteristic feature of the dominant caste concept as defined by M.N. Srinivas.