The concept of "subaltern," derived from Antonio Gramsci’s writings, refers to groups marginalized or excluded from the hegemonic structures of power and decision-making. In the context of Indian rural society, the subaltern perspective unveils the lived experiences, struggles, and resistance of groups such as Dalits, Adivasis, women, and other marginalized communities often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Theoretical Framework of Subaltern Studies The Subaltern Studies Collective, initiated by scholars such as Ranajit Guha, Partha Chatterjee, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, aimed to recover the voices of those historically marginalized in colonial and postcolonial India. These scholars critiqued elitist historiography, which focused primarily on colonial rulers and indigenous elites, neglecting the perspectives of peasants, laborers, and tribal groups. Spivak’s famous essay, Can the Subaltern Speak? , questioned whether the subaltern could truly voice their concerns in...