caste system

Caste System Caste System in Hinduismin Hinduism

Offered byOffered byProf. M. Emdadul HaqProf. M. Emdadul Haq MA PhDMA PhD

Department of PSSDepartment of PSSNorth South UniversityNorth South University

HighlightsHighlights

Meaning of Meaning of VarnashramaVarnashramaOrigins ofOrigins ofVarnashramaVarnashrama Major CategoriesMajor Categories SocioSocio--cultural & religious cultural & religious

Implications Implications Caste system in BengalCaste system in Bengal ConclusionConclusion

MeaningsMeanings The term caste derived from the The term caste derived from the Portuguese termPortuguese term

““castacasta”.”. Refers to the multiple Refers to the multiple stratumstratum of the Indian of the Indian

society wherein occupation was largely hereditary. society wherein occupation was largely hereditary. Caste provide a sense of Caste provide a sense of kinshipkinship within the Hindu within the Hindu

society.society. Identity for an Identity for an occupationoccupation. . Some degree of Some degree of reciprocityreciprocity between castes as between castes as

skills & products were exchanged.skills & products were exchanged.

Origins of VarnashramaOrigins of Varnashrama

Difficult to Difficult to tracetrace out when caste system out when caste system exactly entered into the life of Hindus. exactly entered into the life of Hindus.

Caste system didn’t exist in the Caste system didn’t exist in the Vedic era.Vedic era. It cIt came up later as the ame up later as the AryanizationAryanization of of

society. society. Aryans were divided into three Aryans were divided into three social classessocial classes: :

1. Priests (1. Priests (PurohitaPurohita), ), 2. Warriors or aristocracy, & 2. Warriors or aristocracy, & 3. Commoners. 3. Commoners.

Origins of VarnashramaOrigins of Varnashrama Spread of Spread of Arya cultureArya culture led to the classification led to the classification

of different groups with particular of different groups with particular occupationsoccupationsas distinct as distinct jatisjatis. .

AryanisationAryanisation of the subcontinent led to the of the subcontinent led to the varnavarna division into a division into a hierarchicalhierarchical order.order.

Gradual Gradual absorptionabsorption of outsiders within the of outsiders within the cultural fold of the caste system. cultural fold of the caste system.

Absorption of Absorption of nonnon--vaidikavaidika people to the lower people to the lower stratum.stratum.

Gradually turned into an extreme form.Gradually turned into an extreme form.


The idea of The idea of varnavarna is traceable in the is traceable in the Rig VedaRig Veda. . By way of By way of metaphormetaphor, the source tells that , the source tells that Lord Lord

Krishna’s body Krishna’s body was divided into four divisions: was divided into four divisions: “From his “From his mouthmouth came the priestly class, who came the priestly class, who

tell us about the Lord; from his tell us about the Lord; from his arms,arms, the the rulers & administrators; the agriculturists came rulers & administrators; the agriculturists came from his from his legslegs & the workers from his & the workers from his feetfeet.” .”

Individuals Individuals naturally fit naturally fit into one of these into one of these occupational divisions, based on their occupational divisions, based on their qualifications & work. qualifications & work.

Origins of VarnashramaOrigins of Varnashrama Articulation of Varnashrama is found in the Articulation of Varnashrama is found in the

BhagavadBhagavad--GitaGita, commonly known as the , commonly known as the Bible Bible of Indiaof India..

Lord Krishna Lord Krishna explains that he created human explains that he created human society with four ‘society with four ‘natural social classes’natural social classes’ (or (or varnasvarnas), as well as four underlying ‘), as well as four underlying ‘spiritual spiritual orders’orders’ or or ashramasashramas..

These These social social && spiritualspiritual divisions allow for the divisions allow for the effective application of eternal religious effective application of eternal religious principles.principles.


‘People practice spirituality in the material ‘People practice spirituality in the material world, &, because of this, they need world, &, because of this, they need pragmatic engagement pragmatic engagement according to the according to the minds & bodies that material nature has minds & bodies that material nature has given them’ given them’

–– Krishna.Krishna.

Origins of VarnashramaOrigins of Varnashrama Caste system was aCaste system was a Brahmanic attemptBrahmanic attempt to to

classify new occupational groups & classify new occupational groups & communities to the older communities to the older varna varna system. system.

Ancient writers of Ancient writers of dharmasutrasdharmasutras & & Smrti Smrti systematized the practice & custom of caste & systematized the practice & custom of caste & tried to confine the whole of Indian society tried to confine the whole of Indian society within the four divisions.within the four divisions.

NonNon--vaidikavaidika peoples of the Gangetic basin, peoples of the Gangetic basin, some of them of rural or tribal background, some of them of rural or tribal background, were put into the category of working class were put into the category of working class people.people.

Origins of VarnashramaOrigins of Varnashrama Occupation Occupation become increasingly a matter of become increasingly a matter of

birth (birth (jatijati) & passed on from father to son for ) & passed on from father to son for generations together. generations together.

Jatis Jatis classified in the brahmanic literature classified in the brahmanic literature eventually came to be known as “caste.” eventually came to be known as “caste.”

Eventually caste identity became Eventually caste identity became rigidrigid, social , social mobility & intermarriage between themselves mobility & intermarriage between themselves were discouraged & forbidden. were discouraged & forbidden.

Twice born groups

BrahminsBrahmins Priestly intellectualPriestly intellectual peoples were at the top of peoples were at the top of

the social hierarchy. the social hierarchy. They are the embodiment of They are the embodiment of sacrednesssacredness. . RRegarded as egarded as teachers teachers & judges or even gods on & judges or even gods on

earth. earth. They have theThey have the birthright birthright to acquire knowledge, to acquire knowledge,

wisdom & faith. wisdom & faith. They are thoughtful & inclined toward They are thoughtful & inclined toward studystudy. . Responds to Responds to goodnessgoodness & is gentle & clean.& is gentle & clean. Thus, ritualistic Brahmins explained Thus, ritualistic Brahmins explained dharmadharma in in

their own favor.their own favor.

BrahminsBrahmins

•• During the Vedic era, During the Vedic era, BrahminsBrahmins did all did all sacrificial rituals for their own sake or on sacrificial rituals for their own sake or on paymentpayment. .

•• Gradually this group emerged to the position Gradually this group emerged to the position of social advantage.of social advantage.

•• The The degree of purity degree of purity declined successively declined successively with the qualities as represented by the with the qualities as represented by the KshatriyasKshatriyas & the & the VaisyasVaisyas..

KshatriyaKshatriya Politicians, administrators, warriors & rulers. Politicians, administrators, warriors & rulers. Powerful of physique & might & are the Powerful of physique & might & are the

custodianscustodians of state. of state. Protector of the Hindu Protector of the Hindu dharmadharma & people.& people. CourageCourage is a virtue of theis a virtue of the KshatriyasKshatriyas/warriors./warriors. Chivalrous, knightly type, & are generally Chivalrous, knightly type, & are generally

inclined with “this worldly” life.inclined with “this worldly” life. Focused on ‘action’ or getting things done, Focused on ‘action’ or getting things done,

with honor, virtue, & integrity.with honor, virtue, & integrity. Characteristically nobleCharacteristically noble, except when passion , except when passion

runs out. runs out.

VaisyaVaisya

Farmers, merchants, or economists. Farmers, merchants, or economists. Prefer business of all kinds. Prefer business of all kinds. Deal with wealth & gold & strive for Deal with wealth & gold & strive for material material

gainsgains. . Life revolves around money & motivation is Life revolves around money & motivation is

security & prosperity. security & prosperity. Embodying a mixture of passion & ignorance, Embodying a mixture of passion & ignorance, Focus on Focus on economic stabilityeconomic stability, & it is difficult , & it is difficult

for him to see beyond that.for him to see beyond that.

SudrasSudras

Manual workers, artisans & craftsman. Manual workers, artisans & craftsman. ‘No superior qualities’ as compared to other ‘No superior qualities’ as compared to other

upper castes. upper castes. Physically strong, hard working & belong to Physically strong, hard working & belong to

the lowest stratum of social order.the lowest stratum of social order. VisionVision is limited, feels good when is limited, feels good when work hardwork hard.. Born assistantBorn assistant, does not posses original ideas., does not posses original ideas. Life revolves around Life revolves around physical work physical work & &

immediate bodily pleasures. immediate bodily pleasures. Prefers Prefers routine work routine work rather than innovative rather than innovative

thinking.thinking.

‘Untouchables’‘Untouchables’ NotNot belonging to any of the castes. belonging to any of the castes. Considered Considered outcastesoutcastes or untouchables.or untouchables. Higher caste people wouldn’t touch the casteHigher caste people wouldn’t touch the caste--

less. less. Refrain from letting their Refrain from letting their shadowsshadows fall on the fall on the

person or path of the upper classes.person or path of the upper classes. Upper caste people would need to go through Upper caste people would need to go through

cleansing rituals cleansing rituals forfor touching themtouching them. . Unsociability in the name of maintaining Unsociability in the name of maintaining

brahmanical brahmanical ritual purityritual purity..

ImplicationsImplications

All Hindu traditions have respect for All Hindu traditions have respect for Varnashrama Varnashrama as part of Dharma. as part of Dharma.

The socioThe socio--religious system set in India’s religious system set in India’s distant pastdistant past..

Orthodox Hindus adhere to it to the best of Orthodox Hindus adhere to it to the best of their ability.their ability.

Pragmatics Pragmatics deemphasizedeemphasize it & even rebel it & even rebel against it.against it.

All acknowledge that it is founded in their All acknowledge that it is founded in their theological heritagetheological heritage..

When a man contemptuously rushes against the hands or legs of any person of a higher caste, or of a teacher, or mounts the horse, elephant, coach, etc., of the king, he shall have one of his legs and one of his hands cut off or pay a fine of 700 panas. - Arthashastra, BOOK IV, CHAPTER X



Hereditary & Hereditary & permanentpermanent. . HierarchyHierarchy is determined on the basis of is determined on the basis of

different different varnasvarnas.. Exhibit in their Exhibit in their charactercharacter & actions. & actions. The levelsThe levels of the social hierarchy is of the social hierarchy is fixedfixed & &

clearly defined.clearly defined. In Hindu In Hindu political thought political thought religion was the religion was the

supreme force that held society together.supreme force that held society together. The set rules imposed by one’s The set rules imposed by one’s karmakarma (act) (act)

was was eternaleternal & unchangeable.& unchangeable.


Varna represent Varna represent mental tempermental temper or or GunasGunas that that are of three kinds: are of three kinds:

SattavaSattava resides among the white Brahmins,resides among the white Brahmins, RajasRajas or red/brown color is predominant or red/brown color is predominant

among the business or merchant peopleamong the business or merchant people TamasTamas or black color among workers. or black color among workers. By the differential of By the differential of mental qualitymental quality & color, & color,

physical action of the people is determined. physical action of the people is determined.

Social position of individuals is ascribed at birth.


Varnashrama is the Varnashrama is the Nitya DharmaNitya Dharma. . ““Eternal DutyEternal Duty”, or the essential function of ”, or the essential function of

the soul.the soul. Relations with deeper Relations with deeper spiritual meaning spiritual meaning for for

the services to God. the services to God. Hindu traditions Hindu traditions suggest one’s personal duty suggest one’s personal duty

is based on distinctive inclination & body is based on distinctive inclination & body type. type.

The privileged maintain it as result of The privileged maintain it as result of karma karma from from past actionspast actions. .

‘A Kshatriya who commits adultery with an unguarded Brahman woman shall be punished with the highest amercement; a Vaisya doing the same shall be deprived of the whole of his property; and a Sudra shall be burnt alive wound round in mats. A man who commits adultery with a woman of low caste shall be banished with prescribed mark branded on his fore-head, or shall be degraded to the same caste. A Súdra or a svapáka who commits adultery with a woman of low caste shall be put to death, while the woman shall have her ears and nose cut off’.- Arthashastra BOOK IV, CHAPTER XIII


ImplicationsImplications Preserve Preserve ritual purityritual purity & social position in the face of & social position in the face of

urban pluralismurban pluralism. . For the lower casts, it meant For the lower casts, it meant denial of accessdenial of access to to

opportunities that are available to the “opportunities that are available to the “vaidikavaidika” elites” elites. . Untouchables would live outside the area of the cities Untouchables would live outside the area of the cities

where the “where the “twicetwice--bornborn” ” stay.stay. No access to socioNo access to socio--religious privileges that are religious privileges that are

available to the ‘available to the ‘vaidika’vaidika’ elites. elites. All the All the Jatis Jatis have theirhave theirKarmaKarma division distinct division distinct VarnaVarna, ,

which is specified by a particular which is specified by a particular Karma.Karma. KarmaKarma division wholeheartedly is regarded as division wholeheartedly is regarded as

DharmaDharma..

Dharma

Karma

Jati

Varna


Associated with the Associated with the reincarnationreincarnation –– that that Hindus are born again after death. Hindus are born again after death.

Hinduism suggests that people’s behavior in Hinduism suggests that people’s behavior in their previous life will decide the caste they their previous life will decide the caste they are born into after rebirth.are born into after rebirth.

Brahmins made people believe that the social Brahmins made people believe that the social position or caste they are born into is position or caste they are born into is godgod--given.given.

PeoplePeople generally accept their generally accept their ascribedascribed caste caste position. position.

Caste system in BengalCaste system in Bengal Epigraphic evidence suggests that prior to the Epigraphic evidence suggests that prior to the

establishment of establishment of Arya Brahmanical stateArya Brahmanical state, caste , caste patterns & their religious customs & culture patterns & their religious customs & culture were by no means acknowledged in Bengal. were by no means acknowledged in Bengal.

During the During the Gupta periodGupta period the Brahmins started the Brahmins started to come from North India to Bengal to settle to come from North India to Bengal to settle here. here.

DominanceDominance was established by the patronage was established by the patronage of ruling dynasties & wealthy people. of ruling dynasties & wealthy people.

Caste system in BengalCaste system in Bengal Many Brahmins obtained land to settle Many Brahmins obtained land to settle

permanently & their temples were built for permanently & their temples were built for worshiping. worshiping.

Brahmins had honor & dominance in every Brahmins had honor & dominance in every field of the field of the Pala statePala state & society (750& society (750--1150). 1150).

BuddhistBuddhist PalaPala state remained the upholder & state remained the upholder & defendant of the defendant of the Brahmanical social systemBrahmanical social system. .

They made many land endowments to the They made many land endowments to the Brahmins & Brahmanical Brahmins & Brahmanical templestemples. .

Caste system in BengalCaste system in Bengal Under the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu caste Under the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu caste

system was liberal & flexible, system was liberal & flexible, With the arrival of With the arrival of Senas,Senas, it became inflexible it became inflexible

& rigidly defined. & rigidly defined. Sena rulers put emphasis on the rigidity of the Sena rulers put emphasis on the rigidity of the

Hindu caste system. Hindu caste system. With With Sena ruleSena rule, the worship of Brahmanical , the worship of Brahmanical

Gods & Goddesses & their religious practices Gods & Goddesses & their religious practices spread throughout Bengal. spread throughout Bengal.

Conclusion Conclusion

BuddhismBuddhism & & JainismJainism emerged in the 6emerged in the 6thth

century BC as a protest against the caste century BC as a protest against the caste system.system.

The system was finally encountered by the The system was finally encountered by the egalitarianegalitarian approach pursued by Islam.approach pursued by Islam.

Hindered progress of society preventing Hindered progress of society preventing those with talents from rising in occupation.those with talents from rising in occupation.

MahatmaMahatma Gandhi called Untouchables as Gandhi called Untouchables as ‘Horizon’. ‘Horizon’.

ConclusionConclusion Emerging from a low caste backgroundEmerging from a low caste background Dr. AmbetkarDr. Ambetkar

could become the framer of the Indian Constitution, could become the framer of the Indian Constitution, but only after embracing Buddhism. but only after embracing Buddhism.

The The DalitsDalits have been well placed in the Indian have been well placed in the Indian Constitution, but facing hardship in reality.Constitution, but facing hardship in reality.

Despite repeated legislation against caste Despite repeated legislation against caste discrimination, it is still very much a part of Indian discrimination, it is still very much a part of Indian life.life.

Higher caste Hindus have been known to brutally Higher caste Hindus have been known to brutally attack Gandhi’s Harijans or “people of God.”attack Gandhi’s Harijans or “people of God.”

Thank youThank you

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