India: Traditional Patterns of Life “The traditional patterns of life in India revolve around the idea of duty”
Closure What are the drawbacks and benefits in a society where role and duties are clearly defined? What role does the idea of duty play in your life?
Doing one’s duty ensures the moral order of the universe It’s better to do one’s own duty badly that another’s duty well Introduction to Caste Video
Caste/Family Life/Village Life All gave a person a role in society and rules to live by to ignore would disrupt society Gives structure
Why has the caste system existed for so long? Caste system deeply embedded in law, custom, and religious tradition.
The Caste System According to the sacred texts (Vedas) System of social groups based on birth 1: Brahmans – the priests/religious leaders who recite and learn the Vedas 2: Kshatriyas – warriors, leaders, nobles, landowners 3: Vaishyas – merchants and traders 4: Sudras – those who work with their hands, included farmers, artisans, carpenters, etc. 5: Untouchables (Harijan/Dalit) - included morticians and anyone who did unclean things, homeless Harijan: Children of God
Caste not based on wealth Gave role in society on rules to live by Seen as holding a diverse group together Divides today 1000’s of castes Within castes there were levels, called jati – subcaste For example, in the Vaishya caste, a store owner would be higher than a traveling merchant. In most cases, same rules of interaction would apply Higher castes more pure and closer to moksha Caste based partly on occupation
Caste Rules Complex Meant to keep people spiritually pure = moksha Rule more strict for higher castes Protect from spiritual pollution Rules govern: cooking, eating habits, marriage, employment, worship
Caste Rules Interactions between castes were limited, most interaction was top down Clappers for lower castes – shadow impure Marriage limited to own caste and even jati Each caste even has dietary restrictions Brahmans are vegetarians eat only food prepared by other Brahman Other castes could be limited to certain meats and spices
Caste Rules which Gods to worship where to live what to wear Manners: greet in certain ways lower caste not sit in presence of higher caste Each caste had a council to enforce caste rules Created interdependence: stability and order Castes looked after their own but depended on other castes Caste video Caste video Caste video
Village Life Most common Basic unit of society – varied in size – variety of castes Headman: governed the village – landlord – inherited position Made decisions – organized work projects Self-sufficient = all jobs based on caste Landlord: controlled most land Tenant farming: paid with part of harvest Cattle economic importance: plowing, transportation, milk products Ghee
Pandit Roop Chand, headman of Tajpur village
Other Aspects of Early Hindu Life Family Indentified first with family Joint families (everyone lived together) – like extended family The eldest male led the family (patriarchal) – may consult with wife Property belonged to every member of the family Father Knows Best
Other Aspects of Early Hindu Life Children and Parents Children learned form their parents (how to follow their caste) Arranged marriages: page 192 Children little or no say to benefit family girls became part of husband's family In some parts of India, the marriage of a daughter included a dowry: gift to groom's family Higher the caste more costly
Other Aspects of Early Hindu Life Women Few rights – obey husband Duties: marry, wait on husband, bear sons Influence within the family Shakti: creative energy – women had but men controlled – men incomplete without women Higher castes: purdah: seclusion public had to be covered (like Muslims) Sati/Suttee – virtuous women ritual suicide when a husband died
Closure What are the benefits and drawbacks in a society where role and duties are clearly defined? What role does the idea of duty play in your life?