1. Indian People – The Caste System
Lesson #3

2. Classes in America
What are some social classes in America? How often do you interact with people outside of your “class”? (describe)

3. Caste System
The CASTE SYSTEM determined your place in society Like a social class

4. Caste System
In India, the classes live near each other But they NEVER mix

5. Caste System
In India, they divide classes by your job Each job “level” had a name You NEVER operated outside your job

6. SOCIAL STRUCTURE VARNAS THE CASTE SYSTEM
Indian society was divided into 4 social classes
CALLED
________________
VARNAS
What
Determines
Your
Varna?

7. Caste System

8. X X X Varna Your varna is your job.
You can marry and hang out with people in your varna ONLY. X X X

9. What is the highest class
Caste System
People were divided according to occupation
1. _________________________
- Priests & Teachers
- Highest Ranking Class
- Smallest Numerically
BRAHMINS
What is the highest class
In the USA today?

10. Caste System KSHATRIYAS
2. _________________________ (Pronounced: ksha-tree-uhs) - Warriors and rulers
Why would
warriors get to
be in a higher
class?

11. Caste System VAISYAS 3. ________________________
(Pronounced: vay-shyuhs)
- Common people
(Traders, Farmers, Herders, etc.)

12. Caste System SHUDRAS 4. ________________________
Servants who waited on the other classes

13. CASTE ORIGINS
KSHATRIYAS BRAHMINS VAISHYAS SHUDRAS → → → →

14. Caste System untouchables
The had none of the protections of the Caste System and could perform only tasks that others did not
(such as
handling dead
animals)
If someone is
“outside”
the caste system,
what does that
make them?

15. Untouchables in India
click
Example of the “rat catchers” in India

16. Caste System

17. Caste System What is a Varna? What determines your Varna?
What makes varnas different?
What is expected of you when you reach marrying age, in terms of your Varna?
What is the job of a Brahmin?
What is the job of a Kshatrya?
What is the job of a Vaisya?
What is the job of a Shudra?