tion between 'social' and 'political' is still inadequately developed. Notes 1 This paper was first written in 1967. It is published here in its original form. I wish to thank the Principal, Delhi College, University of Delhi, for academic leave to conduct, field work on which this paper is based. l am also thankful to Lloyd I Rudolph, Mckim Marriott, and Nur Yalman for helpful suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper. I am, however, alone responsible for the many deficiencies in it.