1. It’s Origins and Evolution
The Caste System
It’s Origins and Evolution

2. The Caste System
Early on, people of India were divided into four social categories known as castes
The idea of this was to determine who best fit the needed roles in society

3. The Four Castes Brahmin – the priestly class
These people were to be naturally endowed with truthfulness, compassion, non-selfishness, non-violence, and serenity of mind

4. In the Brahmin class
You would expect to find priests, who would be charge of Hindu services and learning the Vedas
You might also find teachers, especially those with spiritual teachings like sages and gurus

5. The Next Caste Is kshatriya – the warrior class
This caste is reserved for those of a more military or martial spirit
The warriors were traditionally men, but their wives were also considered part of this caste

6. In the Kshatriya Class
You expect not only soldiers and generals, though they were a part of it
Most kings and government administrators also came from this caste

7. The Next Caste Is the vaishya caste
This caste was set aside for those who showed a natural tendency for business acumen
It is sometimes referred to as the merchant class

8. Not Only City Merchants
The vaishya class largely refers to anyone who owns their own business
So farmers and cattlemen are included as well as bankers and accountants

9. The Fourth Caste Is sudra
This caste was set aside for either laborers, who worked for someone else, or artisans, who created art or other items of perhaps a less “practical” nature

10. There are Those With No Caste
Sannyasins still exist in the Hindu culture
They were monks who have renounced all worldly goods
They were considered to have no caste, and were to be respected by all castes
Then there are those who have broken Hindu customs or violated laws
They are also without a caste due to banishment – literally, they are “outcastes”

11. As Initially Developed
The Caste System’s purpose was to make a more efficient society
If you showed a desire and a talent to be a sitar player, you would be sudra, and there would be no attempt to make you brahmin
It’s kind of like tracking in a school system – students express their desires, and then curriculum is shifted to become more in tune with those desires

12. As Initially Proposed All castes were equal
It wasn’t considered lesser to be a business owner as opposed to a warrior
It was merely that you were working where your talents and/or passions took you

13. As Time Passed The Caste System changed
Those in the priestly class enjoyed certain privileges
Their children who ended up in a different caste had those privileges revoked

14. So They Changed the Caste System
And made it hereditary
For centuries, the caste system became social status, with certain castes viewed as higher or better than others

15. And the “Outcastes” Became the Untouchables
Their position in society was so low that in some cases it was considered a crime to even talk to them

16. With Foreign Invasions
The Caste System was used to subjugate India
Seeing a division already existed, conquerors from Alexander the Great to the Persians to the British all bestowed favor on the priest and warrior classes in order to enlist their help in subjugating the other classes

17. This Doesn’t Change Until Gandhi (of the Vaishya caste)
During his fight for Indian independence from Britain, he famously declared there should be no more untouchables
He called them harijans, or “children of God” and was often seen in their company

18. India Becomes Independent in 1947
It is not until the wake of WWII that Britain finally renounces its Empire
India becomes a nation in 1947
Outcaste status was outlawed in 1950

19. Today The Caste System technically is no more
However, you will almost certainly find it alive and well in certain parts of India
Legally, all Indians (Hindu or otherwise) are equal before the law
But society is taking a bit longer to catch up