1. The Caste System in India History and Modern Perspectives

2. India’s Population India today has a population of over 1.1 billion people India today has a population of over 1.1 billion people About 80% of Indians are Hindus About 80% of Indians are Hindus About 13% are Muslims About 13% are Muslims Did you know that today there are more native English speakers in India than in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined? Did you know that today there are more native English speakers in India than in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined?

3. India’s Population It is the second most populous country in the world today. It is the second most populous country in the world today. It houses about 16% of the world’s population -- on 2% of the world’s landmass! It houses about 16% of the world’s population -- on 2% of the world’s landmass! Approximately 70% of people live in villages. Approximately 70% of people live in villages. The other 30% live in 200 cities across the country. The other 30% live in 200 cities across the country.

4. Indian Languages India is a land of many languages – 16 official ones, including English India is a land of many languages – 16 official ones, including English In the north, Indo-European languages are spoken: In the north, Indo-European languages are spoken: Hindi आदेश मिला किसी मकान को तोड़ने का, Hindi आदेश मिला किसी मकान को तोड़ने का, आदेश मिला किसी मकान को तोड़ने का, आदेश मिला किसी मकान को तोड़ने का, Guajarati Guajarati Bengali Bengali Punjabi Punjabi These languages are distantly related to English. These languages are distantly related to English.

5. Indian Languages In the south, Dravidian languages are spoken: In the south, Dravidian languages are spoken: Tamil பெற வாநேல ஹாணஸேந Tamil பெற வாநேல ஹாணஸேந Malayam Malayam Telegu Telegu These languages have little in common with the languages of the north. These languages have little in common with the languages of the north.

6. Indian History The British ruled India from 1858 - 1947 The British ruled India from 1858 - 1947 The kings and queens of England were also Emperors and Empresses of India from 1876 – 1947 The kings and queens of England were also Emperors and Empresses of India from 1876 – 1947

7. Indian History In 1947, India gained independence from Britain, thanks in part to Gandhi In 1947, India gained independence from Britain, thanks in part to Gandhi The country was divided (partitioned) into Pakistan (Muslim majority) and India (Hindu majority). The country was divided (partitioned) into Pakistan (Muslim majority) and India (Hindu majority).

8. Indian History Partition was a very bloody time; Partition was a very bloody time; Muslims and Hindus fought many battles. Muslims and Hindus fought many battles. The area of Punjab is still claimed by both Pakistan and India. The area of Punjab is still claimed by both Pakistan and India.

9. Development in India The 1950s and 1960s were a time of economic development for India. The 1950s and 1960s were a time of economic development for India. Modernization came to India, but at a human price. Modernization came to India, but at a human price. Many people were forced from their village homes. Many people were forced from their village homes. Health care is not as advanced as in Western countries Health care is not as advanced as in Western countries

10. The Caste System The Hindu population is divided up into four official castes: The Hindu population is divided up into four official castes: Brahmin – priests and scholars Brahmin – priests and scholars Kshatria – rulers and aristocrats Kshatria – rulers and aristocrats Vaisia – businessmen and landlords Vaisia – businessmen and landlords Sudra – peasants and workers Sudra – peasants and workers The higher the caste, generally the richer the members of the caste. The higher the caste, generally the richer the members of the caste. The Sudra have few economic and social rights. The Sudra have few economic and social rights.

11. The Caste System A fifth caste is a “non-caste”, known by several different names: A fifth caste is a “non-caste”, known by several different names: The Untouchables (higher castes were not supposed to touch them) The Untouchables (higher castes were not supposed to touch them) Dalits (“the oppressed” – the politically correct term today) Dalits (“the oppressed” – the politically correct term today) Scheduled castes (because they are “scheduled” by the government to receive fairer treatment). Scheduled castes (because they are “scheduled” by the government to receive fairer treatment).

12. The Fifth Caste The Untouchables did the work that the other castes considered unclean: The Untouchables did the work that the other castes considered unclean: Butchers Butchers Latrine cleaners Latrine cleaners Tannery workers – Tannery workers – can you think why? can you think why? Untouchables had almost no rights Untouchables had almost no rights They were often considered as a “pollution” and had to live away from others They were often considered as a “pollution” and had to live away from others

13. The Fifth Caste Discrimination against lower castes was outlawed in 1947. Discrimination against lower castes was outlawed in 1947. In reality, discrimination is still common, especially in traditional rural areas. In reality, discrimination is still common, especially in traditional rural areas. Many Dalits have gone into the public service and work for the government. Many Dalits have gone into the public service and work for the government.