nonBrahmin

NonBrahmin is a term used in South Asia to denote communities that are not part of the Brahmin varna. It is not a single caste but a broad category that includes diverse groups across different regions, languages, and traditions. Historically, the designation arose in social and political discourse during the British colonial period and early postcolonial era to describe communities perceived as outside Brahmin priestly and scholarly authority. In Tamil Nadu, for example, non-Brahmin movements and parties challenged Brahmin dominance in education and governance, contributing to the rise of Dravidian politics and shaping caste-based mobilization. Similar dynamics appeared in other states, where non-Brahmin communities organized for political representation, access to public resources, and reform.

In modern administration, the term NonBrahmin is mostly superseded by more precise classifications such as Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, and by the general category. The label remains prevalent in historical scholarship and in discussions of caste politics, where it signals a broad coalition of communities that historically sought greater social equality and political voice. Critics argue that the umbrella term glosses over important internal diversity and different socio-economic statuses among the included groups, while supporters view it as a shorthand for challenging Brahminical hegemony and advocating inclusivity.