Colonialism played a significant role in shaping and redefining the perceptions of caste in India, particularly in regions like Bhojpur where traditional social structures were deeply entrenched. Before the arrival of the British, caste was an important organizing principle of society in the Indian subcontinent, including the Bhojpuri-speaking areas. It was primarily linked to occupation, ritual purity, and social hierarchy, often governed by customs, religious norms, and local community rules. However, the colonial intervention altered the traditional dynamics of caste by introducing new administrative frameworks, economic policies, and legal mechanisms that transformed the way caste was understood, practiced, and perceived. In the pre-colonial period, the caste system in Bhojpur operated with flexibility in local contexts. Although hierarchical in nature, the boundaries were not as rigid as they became later. Social mobility, through changes in occupation or economic power, was possible for certain groups. The colonial state, however, attempted to codify and institutionalize caste as a fixed category for administrative convenience. This codification process began with the British census operations, which sought to classify Indian society in rigid terms. For instance, the census of 1871 and subsequent surveys categorized people according to their varna and jati, reinforcing the notion that caste was an immutable social identity. This exercise created a perception that caste was a permanent and essential marker of Indian society, leading to its reification. In the Bhojpuri region, which includes parts of present-day Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, caste identities became more pronounced under colonial rule due to land settlement systems like the Permanent Settlement. The zamindari system introduced by the British consolidated the economic power of upper castes such as Brahmins, Bhumihars, and Rajputs, who became dominant landholders. These groups used their newfound legal authority to assert higher ritual status, strengthening the hierarchy. Meanwhile, lower castes, such as Dalits and backward communities, faced greater marginalization as they were deprived of land and access to resources. This economic disparity reinforced social inequalities, making caste-based oppression more severe. The colonial legal and educational systems also influenced caste perceptions. British courts often recognized caste-based customs in matters of marriage, inheritance, and social conduct, giving them a legal sanction. This legal recognition