Bakha

Bakha is the eighteen-year-old son of Lakha. He is a member of the Untouchable cast and works as a sweeper and often fills in for his father’s responsibilities cleaning the village latrines. Bakha spends what little free time he has with his friends and his sister, but he must often carry the weight of his brother’s work, so he does not have as much time for his own pursuits as he wishes.

Bakha is enamored with the British way of life and often finds himself looking up to the soldiers and higher-caste members who emulate British society. He wishes he could be a part of what he views as the epitome of class and progress, but he knows that he will never be accepted anywhere given his untouchable status. He uses his meager earnings to purchase small second-hand items and covets a safari hat that hangs...