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Caste System in India - Origin, Features, and Problems: Clearias Indian Society Notes
Caste System in India - Origin, Features, and Problems: Clearias Indian Society Notes
The caste system is one of the unique features in Indian Society. Its root can
be traced back to thousands of years.
The word caste derives from the Spanish and Portuguese “casta”, means
“race, lineage, or breed”. Portuguese employed casta in the modern sense
when they applied it to hereditary Indian social groups called as ‘jati’ in India.
‘Jati’ originates from the root word ‘Jana’ which implies taking birth. Thus,
caste is concerned with birth.
According to Anderson and Parker, “Caste is that extreme form of social class
organization in which the position of individuals in the status hierarchy is
determined by descent and birth.”
1.Traditional Theory
According to this theory, the caste system is of divine origin. It says the caste
system is an extension of the varna system, where the 4 varnas originated
from the body of Bramha.
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At the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and
intellectuals and came from Brahma’s head. Kshatriyas, or the warriors and
rulers, came from his arms. Vaishyas, or the traders, were created from his
thighs. At the bottom were the Shudras, who came from Brahma’s feet. The
mouth signifies its use for preaching, learning etc, the arms – protections,
thighs – to cultivate or business, feet – helps the whole body, so the duty of
the Shudras is to serve all the others. The sub-castes emerged later due to
intermarriages between the 4 varnas.
2. Racial Theory
The Sanskrit word for caste is varna which means colour. The caste
stratification of the Indian society had its origin in the chaturvarna system –
Brahmins, Kashtriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Indian sociologist D.N.
Majumdar writes in his book, “Races and Culture in India”, the caste system
took its birth after the arrival of Aryans in India.
Rig Vedic literature stresses very significantly the differences between the
Arya and non-Aryans (Dasa), not only in their complexion but also in their
speech, religious practices, and physical features.
According to this theory, the caste system is a clever device invented by the
Brahmins in order to place themselves on the highest ladder of social
hierarchy.
The Brahmins even added the concept of spiritual merit of the king, through
the priest or purohit in order to get the support of the ruler of the land.
4. Occupational Theory
5. Evolution Theory
According to this theory, the caste system did not come into existence all of a
sudden or at a particular date. It is the result of a long process of social
evolution.
Hereditary occupations;
The desire of the Brahmins to keep themselves pure;
The lack of rigid unitary control of the state;
The unwillingness of rulers to enforce a uniform standard of law
and custom
The ‘Karma’ and ‘Dharma’ doctrines also explain the origin of caste
system. Whereas the Karma doctrine holds the view that a man is
born in a particular caste because of the result of his action in the
previous incarnation, the doctrine of Dharma explains that a man
who accepts the caste system and the principles of the caste to
which he belongs, is living according to Dharma. Confirmation to
one’s own dharma also remits on one’s birth in the rich high caste
and violation gives a birth in a lower and poor caste.
Ideas of exclusive family, ancestor worship, and the sacramental
meal;
Clash of antagonistic cultures particularly of the patriarchal and
the matriarchal systems;
Clash of races, colour prejudices and conquest;
Deliberate economic and administrative policies followed by
various conquerors
Geographical isolation of the Indian peninsula;
Foreign invasions;
Rural social structure.
Note: It is from the post-Vedic period, the old distinction of Arya and Sudra
appears as Dvija and Sudra, The first three classes are called Dvija (twice-
born) because they have to go through the initiation ceremony which is
symbolic of rebirth. “The Sudra was called “ekajati” (once born).
Varna and caste are 2 different concepts, though some people wrongly
consider it the same.
the world ‘Vri’ meaning the from the root word ‘Jana’
occupation.
Presence of regional
It is an all-India
variations mostly based on
phenomenon
linguistic differences.
disabilities
The caste system is found in other countries like Nepal, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka. Caste-like systems are also found in countries like Indonesia, China,
Korea, Yemen and certain countries in Africa, Europe as well.
But what distinguishes Indian caste system from the rest is the core theme of
purity and pollution, which is either peripheral or negligible in other similar
systems of the world. In Yemen, there exists a hereditary caste, Al-
Akhdam who are kept as perennial manual workers. Burakumin in Japan,
originally members of outcast communities in the Japanese feudal era,
includes those with occupations considered impure or tainted by death.
References:
1. http://www.sociologyguide.com
2. Sociology for Nurses by Shama Lohumi
3. Indian Social system by Ram Ahuja