The Caste System of Ancient India

Origins of the Caste System Indo-European Aryans invaded India in 1500 BC They were warrior people who established control and began to restructure Indian social classifications Under their influence Indian people were divided into five different social groups The Aryans

The Different Castes

The Brahmins Members of the highest caste Priests and teachers of Sanskrit Performed religious duties and preached Dharma Only caste allowed to teach and attend school

Shiva Shi·va    Hinduism One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms. Shiva is often conceived as a member of the triad also including Brahma and Vishnu.

The Kshatriya Ranked below the Brahmins Functioned as warriors or army leaders A part of the military and ruling elite

The Vaishyas Below the Kshatriya Traders, cattle farmers, minor officials, merchants and artisans Owned their own business or farm land There were many more people in this caste than the Kshatriyas or Brahmins

The Sudras Below the Vaishyas Servants and farmhands Did not own their own land and businesses Were employed by members of higher castes The most populous caste

Second to last were the shudras, who were servants and farmhands who did not own their own land or businesses and who were employed by other people in a higher class. Jobs include gardeners, potters, and clothes washers

The Harijans Known as “untouchables”, “pariahs”, “the people” Technically not even a caste, below all others Responsible for handling the dead, cleaning up human waste, and collecting garbage

At the very bottom of the caste system, technically not belonging to a class at all, were the untouchables. The untouchables held the worst jobs in society, usually collecting garbage and cleaning up human waste…

The Caste System in Practice Impossible to change castes, even in death Caste status passed down through family generations People from different castes could not marry, befriend, or eat with each other Castes were supported by religious texts

Caste Systems Benefits Members of a caste rely on each other for support Each caste has an occupation(s) and contributes to the good of the whole

Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator) Caste Systems Benefits Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator) Brahmins—thinkers/knowers Ksatriya—doers Vaisya—provide food for the belly Sudra—do the work

Landholder gives grain to… Traditional Village System Landholder gives grain to… Barber Potter Blacksmith Carpenter Priest Today…more of a market system