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The Caste System

The Caste System. Exploring differences in society. The Caste System. (Varnas and Jatis) => Social Classes Brought by the Aryans in 1500 B.C. Forced the Indians (Dravidians) to become their servants

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The Caste System

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  1. The Caste System Exploring differences in society

  2. The Caste System • (Varnas and Jatis) => Social Classes Brought by the Aryans in 1500 B.C. • Forced the Indians (Dravidians) to become their servants • As a result, the caste system originated based on ethnic, social and economic distinctions • Today there are hundreds of sub-castes and four main castes. • There is also a fifth group.

  3. Aryan Movements

  4. Brahmins: Priestly class and cultured elite. Kshatriyas: Warrior class and ruling aristocracy Vaishyas: Farmers, merchants, and professional class. Shudras: Low status laborers and artisans. Known as the servant class. The Main CastesPeople divided by birth and hereditary occupation.

  5. Harijans: Untouchables • Considered to be so lowly that • they do not have a caste. • Perform the despicable tasks like killing animals, tanning hides, sweeping and cleaning. • Gandhi called them “the children of God’ • 1950 Indian Constitution abolished untouchability…but still exists

  6. Imagine the caste system in our country. • Place the following occupations in order 1-10 • (1 being the highest or most pure, 10 being the lowest) • Doctor • Web designer • Politician • Movie Star • Fast Food worker • Teacher • Homemaker (domestic issues: cooking, child rearing) • Professional athlete • Farmer • Newspaper delivery • Be able to explain and defend your choices

  7. Caste Facts • Once born into a caste, you stay in the caste • Usually marry within caste, but that is changing • Each caste has its own rules and duties (dharma) • Differences in class exists in each caste. • Ex. poor Brahmin and a rich Kshatriya. Wedding Brahmin

  8. What effects did the caste system have on India? (+ & -) (+) Created order, stability and interdependence (-) Yet harsh life & segregation for lower groups

  9. Weakening of theCaste System • Education • Move to cities • Constitutional changes: • right to vote. • Gandhi • Industry and Technology Cities Gandhi

  10. Continuing Caste Strength • Still strong in the villages (change is slow) • Hard to separate from the Hindu tradition…it is entrenched!

  11. What connection is the between the Caste System and Hinduism? Your place in the Caste System is linked to Karma (actions) and Dharma (duty)

  12. Untouchables • Graphic Film Clip

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