1. October 4 th  How do people identify themselves and the group they are in? Are people able to change identities and themselves if they want?  How would you describe “upper-class”, “middle- class”, and “lower-class”?

2. India and the Caste System

3. Background Information  Population  Second most populous country  1.24 Billion People  Size:  1.27 Million square miles  Independence:  Gained in 1947 from Great Britain  Religion:  Hindu

4. What exactly is a caste system?  Social stratification → people are ranked into groups  “True” caste systems are only found in India  The caste is a closed group whose members are severly restricted in their choice of occupation  Social status is determined by the caste of one’s birth  Marriage outside the caste is prohibited

5. The caste system of India  Has been in use for many years  Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly  Has a major role in modern India

6. Where does the system come frome? (1) Early migrants to India established a caste system in which they placed themselves in higher classes.

7. The different castes (from highest to lowest) (1) Brahman → priests, scholars (2) Kshatriya → ruler, warriors, landowner (3) Vaishya → merchants (4) Shudra → artisans, agriculturalists (5) Harijan → actually not part of the caste system, outsiders, and once known as untouchables (1) The term “untouchable has been outlawed

8. The Four Varna

9. Caste and Dharma In Hindu religious texts, the dharma—the law, or duty—of each varna (caste) is described. In Hindu religious texts, the dharma—the law, or duty—of each varna (caste) is described. It was thought that this dharma was an inherited, or inborn, quality. It was thought that this dharma was an inherited, or inborn, quality. People thought that if intermarriages took place, there would be much confusion as to the dharma of the next generation of children. People thought that if intermarriages took place, there would be much confusion as to the dharma of the next generation of children.

10. Independence and Untouchables After India became an independent nation in 1947, its new constitution outlawed the practice of untouchability The constitution also established affirmative action programs to ensure that the scheduled castes would have access to higher education and better jobs. Because of these programs, there has been a marked improvement in the status of the scheduled castes.

11. Why does the system persist? Today, the caste system continues to be the main form of government in villages throughout India. In large part, its continuity depends on two central Hindu concepts: caste dharma and karma. In Hindu society, caste dharma is considered to be a divine law. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, caste dharma is "the duty one has to perform" and "the law of one's being." Many Hindus believe that this obligation tends to enhance the spiritual development of the individual. Because of it, each person learns from an early age to overcome selfish desires and instead focus on group goals and ideals.

12. Criticism on the system  Some activists think the system is a form of racial discrimination  Lower castes aren’t allowed to go to the high castes areas  Lower castes have to drink water from public wells  Mustn’t visit the same temples as the higher castes  Often sit in the back of classrooms  Many Hindus are persuaded that the system is a part of the society and not with Hinduism backgrounds  Observers think the caste system is a system of exploitation of poor lower castes by the higher