1. The Caste System of India
Unit 10

2. What exactly is a caste system?
People are ranked into groups
“True” caste systems are only found in India
The caste is a closed group whose members are severly restricted in their choice of occupation
Social status is determined by the caste of one’s birth
Marriage outside the caste is prohibited

3. The Caste System of India
Has been in use for many years
Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly
Has a major role in modern India
Gives a sense of order and peace among the people

4. The Different Castes (from Highest to Lowest)
Brahman → priests, scholars
Kshatriya →ruler, warriors, landowner
Vaishya →merchants
Shudra → artisans, agriculturalists
Untouchables Video

5. Where Does The System Come From?
It’s not 100% proven where this system comes from but there are assumptions
The Indo-Aryans may have established a caste system in which they placed themselves in higher classes
The caste system was already established by tribes and with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans those castes just became more well-defined

6. Criticism On The System
Some activists think the system is a form of racial discrimination
Lower Castes
Aren’t allowed to go to the high castes areas
Lower castes have to drink water from public wells
They can’t visit the same temples as the higher castes
Often sit in the back of classrooms.
Many Hindus believe that the system is a part of the society and not with Hinduism backgrounds.
Observers think the caste system is a system of exploitation of poor lower castes by the higher.