The nations of the Fourth World are obviously the conscious reflection of an unfinished history that continues to affirm the spirit of self-determination of the millions of displaced people who constantly engage in a struggle for justice and freedom in order to achieve such a degree of sovereignty over their national homeland as to restore their right to dignity and self-respect. These nations are conveniently called “non-internationally recognized” nations. The term "fourth world", coined in 1974 with the publication of George Manuel's The Fourth World: An Indian Reality, tends to encompass all types of indigenous peoples descended from a country's aboriginal population and who today are completely or partially deprived of their right to possess the territory and its riches. The struggles undertaken by such aboriginal and indigenous peoples for the restoration of their rights predominantly occupy the center of discussion in Fourth World literatures. Among the themes that dominate the writings representative of Fourth World literatures is the theme of resistance. , rebellion, opposition, affirmation, challenge, sacrifice, suffering and displacement. All these general ideas are interconnected with the common concept of “freedom” and an aspiration for which it is indeed a driving force for indigenous peoples. In this article we have attempted to delve deeper into the theme of resistance and how it contributes to the development of the spirit of self-determination as it is reflected and re-presented in Fourth World literature with particular reference to the writings of Dalits in India in order to appreciate and promote the common cause of freedom in the broader interest of humanity. The social and cultural challenges they represent...... middle of paper ...... inspire and encourage suffering humanity to take pride in the past, purpose in the present, and hope in the future. Works Cited Arun, Joe C., 'Constructing Dalit Identity'; Rewat Publishing, 2007.Albery, Nicholas and Mark Kinzely, 'How to Save the World: A Fourth World Guide to the Politics of Scale,Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Turnstone Press, 1984.Dyck, Noel. “Indigenous Peoples and the Nation-State,” St. John's Memorial University of Newfoundland, P.1985Omvedt, Gail. Understanding caste. New Delhi: Orient Blackwan, 2011. Ridker. RG (ed.). “Resource Problems of the Fourth World,” Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1976. Shah, Ghanshyam. 'Anti-Untouchable Movements', New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2001. Whittaker, Ben. “The Fourth World: Victims of Group Oppression,” London: Sidgwick and Jackson, 1972.