The Caste System

1. The Caste System

2. Definition : a type of social organization in which a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of his/her birth.

3. Etymology Caste is derived from the Portugese word castameaning lineage, breed, or race

4. Words to know: • a Sanskrit term varṇa (वर्ण). It is derived from the root vṛ, meaning "to cover, to envelop" (compare vṛtra). The meaning of the word as used in the Rigveda has the literal meaning "outward appearance, exterior, form, figure, shape, colour" besides the figurative "colour, race, kind, sort, character, quality, property". • In the Rigveda, the term can mean "class of men, tribe, order, caste", especially expressing the contrast between the āryas and dāsas

5. History of Varna (Caste) • genetic mixing ended 1,900 years ago, around the same time the caste system was being codified in religious texts. The Manusmriti, which forbade intermarriage between castes, was written in the same period, give or take a century.Read more: What DNA Testing Reveals About India's Caste System | TIME.comhttp://world.time.com/2013/08/27/what-dna-testing-reveals-about-indias-caste-system/#ixzz2nAuu2Yay

6. Aryan Conquest Ushers in Varna • The new conquerors of the Indus Valley needed a system in which to keep and maintain order over the majority of the conquered people (Indus Valley people). • The Aryans needed a social system that separated the minority (light-skinned, twice born) from the Dravidians (darker skinned, once-born—not pure) • The Aryans did not want marriages between their own people and people of the cultures they had conquered. • Thus—the caste system (still in use today, although illegal) was born.

7. Caste System: What is it? • Based on class and occupation • Idea that there are separate kinds of humans • Higher caste people consider themselves purer (closer to Moksha) than lower caste people. • An underlying belief that people cannot progress past what they were born into • Four different levels

8. The Four Varna

9. How is one’s caste determined? • Reincarnation: a person is born, lives, dies, and is reborn again many times until they are pure enough to be with the creator, Brahma. • Karma: a person’s social position in the next life is determined by his/her conduct in the present life. • Dharma: a code of behavior or set of moral/ethical rules that govern the conduct of each social class. Each varna has a different set of rules to live by. • Hindus believe that if they fulfill the roles of their present castes without complaint, they wil be reincarnated into a higher caste. (This squashes the need for rebellion, doesn’t it?)

10. Highest Caste *purpose is to help people of other castes fulfill their dharma (keep them on the straight and narrow) *perform rituals and observe vows for the sake of others (lots of praying involved) Brahmans • They were: • the priests and scholars; had to cook their own food • Allowed to accept gifts from the lower castes but could not five in return • A minority • Typically from the Aryan sector • The only ones who could teach the others (who controls the thinking?) • Brahman men could go to school (taught by other Brahmans) • Entitled to study the Veda (sacred scriptures) and perform rituals/rites for themselves and others • Supposed to live in austerity and forsake worldly needs and were supposed to be role models.

11. The second most powerful class • rulers of the land, military service • and government administration • Women could not hold these positions, but wives and daughters were part of this caste Kshatriyas • They were: • commanded to protect the people, give gifts to the Brahmins, offer sacrifices to the gods and ancestors • able to study the Vedas • dispense justice according to the Vedas • the prime protectors of the caste system and the social order • allowed to read, but not teach, the Vedas(this kept the message/interpretation of the Vedas coming from just one caste with one interpretation) • helping the Brahmins keep control of the majority

12. Vaisyas • The third most powerful caste. Made up of skilled traders, merchants, moneylenders (bankers) and • farmers. • : allowed to own their own farms or businesses. • : the second most populated of the varnas • Typically stricter in observing their dietary rules and avoiding ritual “pollution” • Expected to offer sacrifices (especially to the Brahman) • Right to perform and participate in certain Vedic rituals, but not allowed to marry women of higher castes. • From “Laws of Manu”: “Let him exert himself to the utmost in order to increase his property in a a righteous manner, and let him zealously give food to all crated things.”

13. Sudras • Each subgroup of this caste performs a specific service. • Laborers, workers, servants, or non-aryans • Could not own his own business or land • Had to work for other people • the MOST populated of the castes • Not required/expected to observe Vedic rituals • Not allowed to study the Vedas or even HEAR Vedic chants • Not allowed to eat food in the company of higher castes or marry in any other caste

14. Untouchables Called Harijan or Dalits in modern times. Also known as “scheduled castes”. Ghandi made it his life goal to bring them into society. The Lowest of the Sudras—outside the caste system • Possibly not of the same religion at some point (different religious habits and rites. • Unclean habits • In ancient times, not allowed to enter a village or city during day time or walk in the same street where men of other castes walked. • Shadows also consider impure—lived on edge of socity. • Work as gravediggers, hunters, butchers and professional cleaners of human waste • If other castes should touch an untouchable, they must go through a cleansing ritual.