Social Structure in India The Hindu Caste System

Definition: A type of social organization/hierarchy in which a person’s _____________and ____________in life is determined by the circumstances of his birth.

Rigid, hereditary membership into birth caste Marriage only among members of __________caste Occupation choices______________ _________ _________with other castes restricted Acceptance of a _________ place in society

Brahmins— ________________ Vaisya—provide _______________ ______________ Sudra— ___________________ Ksatriya— ____________ Each caste has a ______ that contributes to the _________ Each caste is born out of ___________ (the creator)

Reincarnation A person is born, lives, dies, and is ___________ again many times. Souls are reborn many times until they are pure enough to be with the creator, _______________ Karma A person’s social position in the next life is determined by his _____________ in the present life.

Dharma Code of behavior or set of moral and ethical rules that govern the conduct of each social class. Each group has a ________________ ________________ to live by. Laws of Manu Hindu book of sacred law ____________and ________________ for daily life

…the most _______ at the top (Brahmins) and the _____________at the bottom (Untouchables)

Purpose is to help people of other castes fulfill their _____________ Perform rituals and observe vows for the sake of others

Responsible for ______________ of the people Often rely on advice from__________

Shopkeepers who sell products (unlike the Shudra who sell services)

Each subgroup of this caste performs a specific ____________ Jobs include gardeners, potters, and clothes washers

Belong to _____ caste (children of God) Expected to do the “__________” jobs Come in contact with animal skins, dead bodies and human feces Avoid contact with “caste” Indians for fear of “__________”