Sharma observes that in comparison to other social groups, the dispossession of land from the upper caste happened at a higher rate.
However, due to intense rivalry between them, they lost in political space to the middle castes, the trio of Yadav, Koeri and Kurmi.
Later, the upper caste moved to cities in search of more opportunities, leading to a vacuum in the dominant space occupied by them in rural areas in all walks of life.
This vacuum was filled by newly prosperous upper middle castes, who gradually took over the dominant space in rural areas.
By early 1920s, the superiority enjoyed by Brahmins due to their position in ritual hierarchy declined, with elevation of Jats as the most dominant caste groups.
In the pre-independence India, the introduction of cash crops, specially cotton and sugarcane changed the economic profile of villages.