The Caste System
History of the Caste System
Caste is defined as a rigid social system in which a social hierarchy is maintained generation after generation and allows little mobility out of the position to which a person is born (Encarta Encyclopedia). The word caste was first used by 16th century Portuguese traders; it is taken from the Portuguese word casta. Varna, the word for caste, means color and referring to the old racial differences between conquerors and conquered. The basis of the caste divisions was social and economic rather than racial.
The original caste system, Varna, of India came about when the Aryan-speaking nomadic groups migrated from the north to India about 1500 B.C.. The Aryan priests divided society into a caste system of four parts. Between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D., the Manu Smriti, or Law of Manu, was written. The Aryan priest- lawmakers created in it four hereditary divisions of society, putting their own priestly class at the head of this caste system with the title of earthly gods, or Brahmans (priests and teachers). Second in rank were the Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors). Then their were the Vaishyas (merchants and traders). The 4th was the Sudras (workers and peasants) born to be servants to the other three. The four groups are from divine origin and emerged from a portion of the Creator symbolically appropriate to its activities. Brahmans from the mouth of God, Kshatriyas from His arms, Viaishyas from His thighs, and Shudras from His feet. Far lower than the Sudras and out of the social order are the Harijans or Untouchables. They did all the dirty work (Lamb 135).
The Indian caste had hereditary membership. Marriage was only permitted within the same caste. There were restrictions on the choice of occupation and on personal contact with members of other castes. Central to the caste system were the ideas of samsara (reincarnation) and karma (quality of action). The belief is that if one obeys the rules of caste, reincarnation into a higher caste is possible, but women may only have the privilege of coming back as an animal if they are good enough.
British Influence on the Caste System
The four original castes have been subdivided over the centuries and now there are around 3000 different castes (Lamb 135). The caste system was broken up greatly during the period of British rule in India. Many things have changed over the years.
Long before the arrival of the British, new religions and reform movements within India attacked the caste system. Buddhism was the first to do so in the 6th century B.C.. It is not known how much of an effect Buddhism had on the caste system as a whole. The caste system was next challenged by the Muslims. As a result of Muslim rule, the system divided into more groups.
Next came the British. The first effect that the British had on the caste system was to strengthen it, for the British gave the Brahmans back special privileges the Muslim rulers had taken away. On the other hand, the British law courts did not agree that the lower-caste persons should receive greater punishment than the upper-caste persons for committing the same offense. In the cities that came about during British rule, it became possible for untouchables or low-caste persons to "pass" as members of higher castes from some distant area. It became difficult for the members of different castes not to come in contact at factories and in buses. Other situations occurred in which castes did not matter. The educated in the cities mingled socially with people who were of other castes but of their own financial position and class.
When the British first came to India, their main contacts were with the Brahmans. They, with a few other upper castes, were the first to profit from British education and to enter government service under the East India Company.
The "Scheduled castes" were at the bottom of the social ladder. When India was under British rule they were carried on a specific list, or "schedule", and got special government protection and scholarship aid. They have suffered from religious and civil disabilities. Some of their jobs include sweeping the streets. They could not do many things, go many places, and were abused. The scheduled castes are now prohibited by law but haven't totally vanished in practice, and still do the dirty work today.
Indian Reactions to British Influence on Caste
The Sepoy Mutiny was an unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in India. The sepoys felt that the British did not respect their traditions of religion and caste. They resented the British introduction of social changes. The mutiny did have an effect on the Indian people, however. The traditional Indian society began to break down into a westernized class system, from which came a strong middle class with a heightened sense of Indian nationalism.
The strict rule of the caste system was broken down greatly during British rule. It was no longer mandatory that the son follow the calling of his father. Men of low castes rose to high ranks and positions of power, and the loss of caste was not as serious as before.
Three things are said about the caste system. First, India is trying to create social equality, while habits work against it. Second, competition for improvement on status is increasing. Third, the caste plays a unique role in India and it contrasts sharply with the situation in a more fluid society (Lamb 151).
Many things are changing in the caste system due to the British and a man named Mohandas Gandhi. There has been a decrease in the Brahman domination (6%) and a rise in the untouchables (20%) (Lamb 145). Due to the British, there has become more equality and unity between members of different castes. The caste system has been divided into many different parts.
© 1997 Southern Nazarene University.
Authors: Medina Bogard, Leslie Gilbert, Mike Jones, Brooke Nida, Allison Swanson, Scott Young
Last Modified: May 1, 1997.
Location: http://www.snu.edu/syllabi/history/s97projects/india/caste.htm
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