Untouchable

novel by Anand

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July 23, 2026

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Untouchable is a seminal 1935 novel by Indian author Mulk Raj Anand. It is renowned for its realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the struggles faced by the "untouchables" (now known as Dalits) within India's rigid caste system. The novel follows the protagonist, Bakha, as he navigates the harsh realities of social injustice and systemic oppression. Anand, a pioneer of Indian English-language literature, used innovative narrative techniques to bring the plight of marginalized people to the forefront, challenging societal norms and sparking dialogue on caste discrimination. The term "untouchable" refers to members of the lowest class in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, who were believed to defile those of higher castes through contact.12

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Mulk Raj Anand
Education and early career
…particularly in his seminal novel Untouchable (1935), in which he sought to depict the harsh realities of social injustice in India through a modern lens. He recalled his encounters with illustrious writers, artists, and critics—including D.H. Lawrence, Clive Bell, Nancy Cunard, E.M. Forster, Eric Gill, and Aldous Huxley—in Conversations in…
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…particularly in his seminal novel Untouchable (1935), in which he sought to depict the harsh realities of social injustice in India through a modern lens. He recalled his encounters with illustrious writers, artists, and critics—including D.H. Lawrence, Clive Bell, Nancy Cunard, E.M. Forster, Eric Gill, and Aldous Huxley—in Conversations in…
Read More