Sedhyagani charanaakola, (Cultivators’ Whipcord) Jotirao Phule,translator Harathi Vageeshan, 72 pp, Rs. 30 \nThe book is a critique of the exploitation of shudra peasantry by a British and Brahmin bureaucratic alliance. It gives a few of the numerous reasons connected with religion and politics that placed Shudra farmers in such a pitiable condition. It argues that a tyrannical religion, the dominance of Brahmin employees in government departments and the luxury-loving indolence of British administrators meant that the Shudra farmers were tormented and deceived. \nJyotirao Phule (1827-1890) was a social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. His work extended to many fields, including eradication of untouchability and the caste system, and women's emancipation. \nTranslator Harathi Vageeshan is a writer, essayist and teaches at NALSAR, Hyderabad