Do Now: create your own definition for the word ‘outcast’ “Why would someone be considered an outcast from society?”

Aryan Invaders- Brought with them the caste system as a way of maintaining order. (they were at the top, conquered people were on the bottom) Caste-limits social mobility, based on birth and lasts for an entire lifetime, rigid social hierarchy Untouchables-were the lowest level of the caste system Social Mobility – the ability to move from one social class to another

[ksha-tree-uh] [vahys-yuh] [soo-druh] [puh-rahy-uh] [brah-min]

A: Origins Began in the Hindu religion, based on writings in the Vedas, a Hindu holy book. B: Rules -A person was born into their caste & could not change it during their life, only in their next reincarnated life. Only following caste rules would bring good karma. -Different caste members were not allowed to intermarry or work together. -Untouchables were considered so ‘unclean’ that they were outside the caste system (outcasts)

In traditional India, society was organized into genetic social classes, known as castes. Hindus believed that each person was born into a particular social class based on their behavior in a previous life. Membership in a caste was based on ones birth and lasted for one's entire life. One could not marry someone from another caste or move into another caste based on his or her achievements.

People were organized into four main groups. At the bottom of the castes are the untouchables, considered to be so low that they are considered to be outside the caste system. Untouchables were given the work no one wanted to do, such as sweeping the streets or handling dead animals. Since the caste system was based on heredity (genetics), it severely restricted social mobility in traditional India. Social mobility is the ability to move from one social class to another. Today, the caste system continues to operate in some rural parts of India. The government is trying to overcome hatred today based on caste differences. It prohibits discrimination by caste and provides special programs to aid the Untouchables.

How did the caste system help to maintain social order?