Societies and Inequalities - India Jerod, Anusha, Megan, Salonie

Class and Caste in India India’s social organization shared broad features with China’s. In both civilizations, birth determined social status for most people. With little social mobility, sharp distinctions and great inequalities characterized social life. Many religious or cultural traditions defined these inequalities as natural. Despite the inequalities and similarities to China, the organization of ancient Indian society was very unique and distinctive

Class and Caste of India Continued A unique aspect of Indian society is what we now call the caste system, coming from the Portuguese word casta which means “Race” or “Purity of blood” This form of organization emerged over thousands of years, and in some ways has endured into modern times.

Caste as Varna The origins of the caste system are unclear to historians One theory is that caste evolved from the racial encounter between light skinned Aryans and darker natives. The best theory is that the varied cultures of India along with the development of social and economic inequalities among people which occurred as a result of civilization led to the caste system. By around 500 BCE, the thinking and social perspective of Indians was that society was divided into four ranked classes, known as varnas. This caste system was for Aryans. Everyone was born into a class and remained in it the rest of their life. Each class had a set of duties

Caste as Varna 1.Brahmins- priests and teachers(gurus) whose rituals and sacrifices were needed for the world to function 2.Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers who governed and protected society 3.Vaisya- commoners who cultivated the land The top three classes were regarded as pure Aryans and were called the “twice born” 4. Sudras- native people who had very subordinate positions. They were servants and laborers, couldn’t take part in rituals, and could be treated cruelly without any law violation.

Caste as Varna The four classes were said to embody the god Purusha and were eternal and changeless There were changes to the caste system in Ancient India when tribal people became part of the classes. Tribal medicine men and sorcerers became Brahmins Warriors entered the Kshatriya varna Vaisyas became a business class with landowners, merchants, and artisans, and higher farming Sudras became the class for farmers and peasants The Untouchables class was created It was considered outside the varna system and was the lowest ranking Laborers and people who did the most unclean and polluting work like being executioners, cremating corpses, cleaning bathrooms, and dealing with skins of dead animals.

Varna System sanyasi

Caste as Jati Jatis were sub-castes within the varna system Jatis were based on jobs one varna caste could contain many separate Jatis, each with their own hierarchy Each Jati had its own set of duties, rules and obligations Marriage and eating together were only allowed within one’s Jati Bramins couldn’t eat meat but Kshatriyas could High castes coming into contact with low caste risked the upper caste becoming “unclean” low castes could not use the same public places (temples, wells) as upper castes some low caste had to wear clappers to alert upper castes to their presence a large portion of religious text explained the various forms of impurity and the ritual ways to purify them

Caste as Jati (continued) Karma ment that you were born into whatever caste you were in for a reason your current caste reflected your good or bad deeds your previous lives dharma was how you improved your caste for the next life improving your caste could be accomplished by faithfully following the duties of your caste Jatis reserved the power to expel members that broke the rules of the Jati this was catastrophic for the person because it meant the loss of all social life and social support Although caste restrictions were fairly static there was some ways to improve upon your position by developing your Jati position by acquiring land and wealth by adopting behaviors of higher castes by discovering a higher caste ancestors

Functions of Caste ★ Caste was a very local phenomenon and rooted in particular regions or villages. ★ It focused on the loyalties of most people on a quite restricted territory and weakened the appeal of larger all - Indian States. ★ The caste system was universal throughout India which contributed to the Mauryan empire encompassing almost the whole sub-continent. ★ It offered a distinct and socially recognized place for almost everyone

Functions of Caste ★ Even the lowest ranking jatis had the right to certain payments from the social superiors whom they served. ★ Caste represents a meaning of accommodation for the many migrating or invading people who entered the subcontinent ★ The cellular or honeycomb structure of the caste society allowed various peoples cultures, and traditions to find a place in India. ★ It facilitated the exploitation of poor by wealthy by powerful.

Quiz Question 1: What empire did India's organization share broad features with? China Question 2: Where does the word ¨Caste¨ come from The Portuguese word casta

Quiz Question 3: What is one of the four varnas in the caste system? Brahmins(priests), Kshatriyas(warriors and rulers), Vaisyas (merchants, landowners), Sudras (farmers, artisans, workers). Question 4: Who are the untouchables? The lowest caste in which people did the polluted and unclean work.

Quiz Question 5: Did the caste system ever change? Yes, even though the caste system was said to be eternal and changeless, it changed when tribal people became a part of it. Question 6: What was the caste as a Jati based on? Occupations

Quiz Question 7: What was one way that Jatis could improve their overall place in the caste system? acquiring land or wealth, adopting the behaviors of higher classes, or discovering higher caste ancestors Question 8:What was one of the ways that upper castes prevented “contamination” from lower classes? Separation of public spaces, clappers announcing the presence of low classes, or ritual purification

Quiz !! Question 9 - What was the main function of the caste system ? Answer - to seperate the poor class from the wealthy class, from the powerful class. Question 10 - What did the caste system represent or mean to the people who lived there ? Answer - the caste society allowed various peoples cultures, and traditions to find a place in India.