The Caste System in India

The caste system is a series of levels of society. It is linked with Hinduism. It began with the Aryans, a group of people who conquered northern India about the same time Hinduism developed. There are 4 castes. These are called varnas. Each has a color of clothing associated with it. There are also subcastes or jatis. These are part of a caste.

Today in India people will only marry people that are in their jati. VARNASCOLORJOBS BrahminWhitePriests, teachers KshatriyaRedWarriors, rulers VaisyaBrownFarmers, merchants, artisans SudrasBlackLaborers, servants

Completely outside of the caste system are the Untouchables. They are considered unclean and less than other humans. They can’t enter schools or temples. They do jobs other castes won’t do like disposing of dead bodies or animals, or handling human waste. Other castes feel “polluted” spiritually if they come into contact with an Untouchable.

People are born into their caste. Their parents and ancestors were all in that caste. A person can’t change their caste. They may not marry or even mix socially with someone in a different caste. 50 years ago this caste system was made illegal, but it is still practiced strongly today. It is a social system deeply connected to Hinduism.