Hindu society is divided into four varnas which are again divided in many castes and sub castes. The occupation and status of a person in Hindu society and religion was traditionally determined by a person’s caste. Traditionally in Hindu society political power rested with the kshtriya or warrior class who were to be the kings or rulers or administrators or soldiers and brahamin priests who were to act as guide and ministers of the king. Vaisha or rich business people also had some share in governance but the lowest varna were denied participation. Even in the three varnas only elites were to enjoy political power. Common men and women were far away from any type of political participation. It was during national movement that common men and women started participating in political activities under the leadership of Gandhi and Congress or Ambedkar. After independence the constitution of India ensured adult franchise to all its citizens and affirmative action in form of reservation of seats in central and state legislatures to those belonging to traditionally lower castes i.e. schedule castes and scheduled tribes. This was to ensure that they are represented in the legislatures. As a result many men and women from these categories rose to the highest positions in the political system but the common masses remained far behind especially women because Indian society is patriarchal and women suffer additional disability of being lower in hierarchy than men. Present study is an attempt to understand the political and social awareness of kumhar (potter) women of a simple village in the state of Rajasthan in India.

Keywords: India; Rajasthan; Political Participation; Women; Kumhar; Potter.