1. The Caste System of Ancient India

2. Origins of the Caste System
Indo-European Aryans invaded India in 1500 BC
They were warrior people who established control and began to restructure Indian social classifications
Under their influence Indian people were divided into five different social groups
The Aryans

3. The Different Castes

4. The Brahmins Members of the highest caste
Priests and teachers of Sanskrit
Performed religious duties and preached Dharma
Only caste allowed to teach and attend school

5. Shiva
Shi·va    Hinduism
One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms. Shiva is often conceived as a member of the triad also including Brahma and Vishnu.

6. The Kshatriya Ranked below the Brahmins
Functioned as warriors or army leaders
A part of the military and ruling elite

7. The Vaishyas Below the Kshatriya
Traders, cattle farmers, minor officials, merchants and artisans
Owned their own business or farm land
There were many more people in this caste than the Kshatriyas or Brahmins

8. The Sudras Below the Vaishyas Servants and farmhands
Did not own their own land and businesses
Were employed by members of higher castes
The most populous caste

9. Second to last were the shudras, who were servants and farmhands who did not own their own land or businesses and who were employed by other people in a higher class.
Jobs include gardeners, potters, and clothes washers

10. The Harijans Known as “untouchables”, “pariahs”, “the people”
Technically not even a caste, below all others
Responsible for handling the dead, cleaning up human waste, and collecting garbage

11. At the very bottom of the caste system, technically not belonging to a class at all, were the untouchables. The untouchables held the worst jobs in society, usually collecting garbage and cleaning up human waste…

12. The Caste System in Practice
Impossible to change castes, even in death
Caste status passed down through family generations
People from different castes could not marry, befriend, or eat with each other
Castes were supported by religious texts

13. Caste Systems Benefits
Members of a caste rely on each other for support
Each caste has an occupation(s) and contributes to the good of the whole

14. Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator)
Caste Systems Benefits
Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator)
Brahmins—thinkers/knowers
Ksatriya—doers
Vaisya—provide food for the belly
Sudra—do the work

15. Landholder gives grain to…
Traditional Village System
Landholder gives grain to…
Barber
Potter
Blacksmith
Carpenter
Priest
Today…more of a market system