1. The Caste System India

2. What is it?  Aryans implemented division of labor in their society.  The most clever and brave members of society were selected and given the task to teach and protect others  The dullest types of individuals were laborers.  The rest of the people of the society were given the tasks to grow food, produce materials, trade, and supply the goods to others.

3. Four Main Castes

4. Brahman : Priests

5. Kshatriya ( ksha-tree-uh ) ruler, warrior, landowner

6. Vaishya ( vahys-yuh ) merchants

7. Shudra artisans, agriculturalists

8. Harijan ( har-i-jan ) "outside" the caste system "untouchables"

9. The Caste System Today  The caste system is still intact today but the rules are not as rigid as they were in the past.  Because of western education, contact with foreigners, media, and modern communications, people are progressive in many aspects.  In 1962, a law was passed making it illegal to discriminate against the untouchable castes. In practice however, discrimination still continues today.

10. continued  In the past, when upper caste individuals came in contact with an untouchable they would immediately bathe.  Now, some people just sprinkle water on their body and some do not even care at all.

11. continued  Today all castes are equally treated by the law.  Education is free and open to all castes.  Discrimination is only done socially.