Society Based on Castes Class System Castes Based on Occupation Wealth Plays a Role Subcastes Smaller group in Caste Both Caste and Subcaste determined at birth (Ahmad, et. al.)

Aryan had four varna (classes) Later, a fifth group called “ untouchables ” with thousands of subcastes Lowest levels of society Caste system was imbedded in law, custom, and religion Provided stability and order Different castes depended on one another for services and their contributions to society (Ahmad, et. al.)

Being up high in caste system = purer and closer to Moksha Moksha is the freeing of the soul from the body so the soul can unite with brahman the single supreme force Had stricter rules Someone could become impure if he or she interacts with lower class (Ahmad, et. al.)

Rough lives No choice but to accept the view of their unworthiness (Ahmad, et. al.)

Were enforced by canals of each caste Had council that enforced the rules Were important so people would remain spiritually pure (Ahmad, et. al.)

Determined: Which gods the caste worshipped Where the caste lived What clothes were worn People’s manners Employment Eating habits ( Brahman can only eat food prepared by other Brahman) Marriage (must marry within caste) (Ahmad, et. al.)

All Hindus are divided among four varna and a fifth group, known as the untouchables. The jati are kinship groups with hereditary roles and professions within society (“Castes”)

Hindu caste system (The Varna) Developed in the period B.C.E. Result of the Aryan conquest of India Thought that they divided themselves into the three highest Varnas the division of: Priests (Roughly equivalent to Brahmans) Warrior Kings (Kshatriya) Commoners (Vaishya) (“Castes”)

Mythological explanations for caste system. One explanation describes a family that was supposedly descended from Brahma, the mythical forefather of Hinduism Within that family, the father served as teacher and priest (Brahman) Son served as warrior and protector (Kshatriya) Sister took care of the household duties (Vaishya). Another explanation is similar to Noah's arc, after the flood the human race were divided into 4 groups The caste system in India is linked to the beliefs of Hindu religion (“Castes”)

Basic unit of society Mostly self sufficient People would often meet and mingle during regional markets and religious festivals Varies from handful of people to hundreds of families Variety of castes and occupations (priests, landowners, farmers, herders, carpenters, metalworkers, and low castes such as leather workers and sweepers) Men organized villagers to work on local projects (i.e. roads, irrigation ditches, temples). (Ahmad, et. al.)

Respected landlord governed village Helped by council of elders Usually inherited position from father Owned much of the land in the village Landless workers farmed plots belonging to landlord Had to give him part of the harvest (Ahmad, et. al.)

Wheat, barley, rice, millet, peas, lentils, beans, and cotton were grown Had cattle for plowing, transporting goods, and milk Milk for cheese, yogurt, and a butter called ghee Cattle were sacred for economic importance (Ahmad, et. al.)

Joint family = many generations in one home (Ahmad, et. al.)

Patriarchal = male dominance Oldest male Wisest and most knowledgeable Has complete control Consults with others for arranged marriages (Ahmad, et. al.)

Family Interests > Individual Interests Marriages were arranged by parents at an early age Weddings were big ceremonies Bride’s family paid dowry (gift of money paid to groom) Higher the family’s caste, the more costly the marriage (Ahmad, et. al.)

India has about 500,000 villages Most are small 80% have less than 1,000 people Variety of castes but homes usually set apart Villages are complex, not simple Characterized by economics, caste, kinship, occupation, and religion Some villages have non-traditional occupations (i.e. shopkeepers, teachers, truckers, clerks) Each village is somehow connected to other villages (“Village”)

Villagers identify themselves as belonging to certain village Family rooted in a village does not easily move to another Villagers share common facilities Schools, temples, etc. Each village recognizes a deity (village protector/protectoress) Whom is worshipped Hindu festivals bring villagers together Living so closely causes many disputes, sometimes violence (“Village”)

Few rights Marriage Obedient towards husband Bear sons Believed to have shakti (creative energy) Women thought to lack knowledge to control their power Men lack it, so they must marry in order to control wife’s power (Ahmad, et. al.)

The higher-caste women lived in purdah Purdah is complete seclusion Wore veils Rarely left home Kept separate from all men except for their husbands and close relatives (Ahmad, et. al.)

Widows were forbidden to remarry Expected to spend life in prayer and give up all comforts Considered unlucky, so ignored by other family members Some threw selves into fire at husband’s funeral Became sati (virtuous women) In sacrificing her life, a widow wiped away sins of husband and self (Ahmad, et. al.)

Currently there are many mistreatments of women that include: Malnutrition Poor Health Lack of education Overwork No Job Skills Mistreatment Powerlessness (Coonrod)

Many of these problems occurred due to a patriarchal society Women are discriminated against at any turn Certain statistics are rising alarmingly in recent years. “Every 26 minutes a woman is molested” “Every 34 minutes a rape takes place” “Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment incident occurs” “Every 43 minutes a woman is kidnapped” “Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt to death over dowry.” (Coonrod)

Women are technically guaranteed equality, but there is little legal power behind them Women have no choice who they marry Often married off as children Inheritance laws are also up-ended by legal loopholes Very little can be done to stop the circumventing of the system set by the constitution (Coonrod)