The book examines not only the central question of the origin of untouchability but also engages with a wide range of related issues, many of which have been little understood or insufficiently addressed. Among the questions it investigates are: Why did the Untouchables live outside the village? How did beef-eating come to be associated with untouchability? Did Hindus always abstain from beef? Why did non-Brahmins abandon beef-eating? What led Brahmins to adopt vegetarianism?
