discuss history of the indian caste system and its impacts on Indian society
Answers
The Indian Caste System is historically one of the main
dimensions where people in India are socially differentiated through class,
religion, region, tribe, gender, and language. Although this or other forms of
differentiation exist in all human societies, it becomes a problem when one or
more of these dimensions overlap each other and become the sole basis of
systematic ranking and unequal access to valued resources like wealth, income,
power and prestige. The Indian Caste System is considered a closed system of
stratification, which means that a person’s social status is obligated to which
caste they were born into. There are limits on interaction and behavior with
people from another social status. Its history is massively related to one of
the prominent religions in India, Hinduism, and has been altered in many ways
during the Buddhist revolution and under British rule. This paper will be
exploring the various aspects of the Indian caste system related to its
hierarchy, its history, and its effects on India today.
History of the Indian Caste System and its Impact on India
Today.
Historically, the Indian Caste System is one of the most important aspects of Indian society, which is divided by class, faith, place, community, sex and language. While these and other forms of distinction exist in all human societies, it is becoming a challenge to overlap one or more of them and to become the sole basis for the structural assessment and differential access to valuable resources such as property, employment, power and prestige.
EXPLANATION:
- The caste system is a classification of persons into four castes known as varnas. They are occupational classified and determine access to wealth, power and privileges. The Brahmans are at the top, usually priests and scholars. The Kshatriyas, political leaders and soldiers are next. The Vaishyas or traders are followed, and the fourth are the Shudras, usually workers, peasants, craftsmen, and ministers. At the very bottom are the untouchables. These men are do jobs that are unclean and polluting, such as scavenging and skinning dead animals and are considered outcasts. We are not included in listed castes.
- The varnas are subsequently divided into specialized jatis sub-casts. Each jati consists of a group that primarily derives its livelihood from a particular job. People are born and become members of a certain caste. They then get the right job according to their jati. The preservation of this hereditary professional expertise and hierarchical positioning is said to take place through an elaborate ritual system that regulates the nature of the social interactions of the jatis. The Brahmans collect, legitimize and interpret Vedic texts of the Hindu religion that provide the basis for hierarchical classification and for the rituals that regulate social behaviour.
- The rules for appropriate employment, appropriate behavior within and between castes, as well as rules concerning marriage were and continue to be established. There has been substantial relaxation of caste systems laws since India's independence from Britain in 1947. There was more division between the middle and the top castes, but those in the lowest castes continued to eat separately. In addition, a considerable change was made in the work objectives and activities of men between 1954 and 1992.
- Previously, most of the men were employed in their traditional caste-related positions. Although there were some caste-based discrimination and classification, wealth and power were less related to caste. Caste became much less important than rural people in their everyday lives, although its importance still changes depending on the class or occupation. Caste's role is very important. Caste is not openly discussed and is rather insignificant among the urban medium-sized professionals unless the marital arrangements are concerned. Still, adjustments are being made with regard to education, employment, income, religion and language. Although caste discrimination has been banned in India, the culture still exists today.
To know more
What factors have brought about a change in the Indian caste system in Modern Times? Explain.
https://brainly.in/question/2188609
Describe any three factors that brought about changes in the indian caste system
https://brainly.in/question/6232779