Understanding the Hindu Caste System

What is it and when did it start? India’s caste system is perhaps the world’s longest surviving social hierarchy India’s caste system is perhaps the world’s longest surviving social hierarchy –Hierarchy- a system of ranking (ex. Upper class, middle class, lower class) –It is supposedly more than 2000 years old. –The caste system is part of the Hindu religion. Does your culture believe in social mobility (movement)? Does your culture believe in social mobility (movement)? Gandhi fought for rights for Untouchables

The Caste System A person is considered a member of the caste into which he or she is born and remains within that caste until death. A person is considered a member of the caste into which he or she is born and remains within that caste until death. You are born into your caste depending on your karma. You are born into your caste depending on your karma.

VARNAS According to the Hindu religion, society should be divided into four classes called VARNAS. A person had the same varna that his or her parents had. And he or she had it from birth to death — there was no way to change it. Hindus did not question the varna system. It was simply considered a part of the way the universe works. According to the Hindu religion, society should be divided into four classes called VARNAS. A person had the same varna that his or her parents had. And he or she had it from birth to death — there was no way to change it. Hindus did not question the varna system. It was simply considered a part of the way the universe works.

The Untouchables There is a fifth major class in Hinduism, but it is considered so low that it doesn't even qualify as a varna. Most people call it the "UNTOUCHABLE" class because its members are forbidden to touch anyone who belongs to one of the four varnas. If a Brahmin priest touches an untouchable, he or she must go through a ritual in which the pollution, dirt, is washed away. There is a fifth major class in Hinduism, but it is considered so low that it doesn't even qualify as a varna. Most people call it the "UNTOUCHABLE" class because its members are forbidden to touch anyone who belongs to one of the four varnas. If a Brahmin priest touches an untouchable, he or she must go through a ritual in which the pollution, dirt, is washed away.

Untouchables Untouchables do all the most unpleasant work in South Asia. They are forced to live on the outskirts of towns and villages, and they must take water downstream from and not share wells with varna Hindus. Untouchables do all the most unpleasant work in South Asia. They are forced to live on the outskirts of towns and villages, and they must take water downstream from and not share wells with varna Hindus. They are also forbidden by caste Hindus to enter places of worship. They are made to dig the graves, dispose of dead animals, clean human waste, and to wash and use separate tea pots at neighborhood tea shops, all because— due to their caste status—they are deemed dirty and therefore “untouchable.” Any attempt to fight the social order is met with violence or economic retaliation. They are also forbidden by caste Hindus to enter places of worship. They are made to dig the graves, dispose of dead animals, clean human waste, and to wash and use separate tea pots at neighborhood tea shops, all because— due to their caste status—they are deemed dirty and therefore “untouchable.” Any attempt to fight the social order is met with violence or economic retaliation.

Some Caste Rules Each varna must observe certain rules of purity. The Brahmins are considered so pure that they may never eat food prepared by anyone but another Brahmin. This means that Brahmins cannot go to a restaurant without a Brahmin staff. Also, marriage outside one's varna is usually forbidden. Each varna must observe certain rules of purity. The Brahmins are considered so pure that they may never eat food prepared by anyone but another Brahmin. This means that Brahmins cannot go to a restaurant without a Brahmin staff. Also, marriage outside one's varna is usually forbidden. Women can usually marry up, however, allowing for some social mobility. Women can usually marry up, however, allowing for some social mobility.

How about jobs? Along with Varnas, you are also born into JATI’s Along with Varnas, you are also born into JATI’s A JATI was a profession or a job. A JATI was a profession or a job. There are different jatis for every kind of job, such as blacksmith, farmer, shoemaker, and accountant. There are different jatis for every kind of job, such as blacksmith, farmer, shoemaker, and accountant. Under the caste system, parents knew the jobs their kids would hold even before the kids were born. Under the caste system, parents knew the jobs their kids would hold even before the kids were born. To get good karma you must live well in your jati. To get good karma you must live well in your jati. Today jati might not determine your profession but these groups still exist. Today jati might not determine your profession but these groups still exist. A member of the warrior class

Ending the Caste System Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi Mahatma was from the Vaishya varna. Mahatma was from the Vaishya varna. Published magazines and advocated for the Untouchables. Published magazines and advocated for the Untouchables. Other leaders that tried to end the caste system are Other leaders that tried to end the caste system areBuddhaNehru

Castes and today! The caste system is officially illegal in India. The caste system is officially illegal in India. In 1962, a law was passed making it illegal to discriminate against the untouchable castes. In 1962, a law was passed making it illegal to discriminate against the untouchable castes. Untouchables are still not treated very well!! Untouchables are still not treated very well!!