What is the caste system
Caste systems are hereditary systems of social class with cultural pluralism in many parts of the world. Today, it is most commonly associated with the Indian caste system and the Varna in Hinduism. In a caste society, the assignment of individuals to places in the social hierarchy is decided by social group and cultural heritage. This classification is based on social occupation, endogamy, social culture, social class, and social group. The caste system incorporates the concept of "Matam" (caste respect) which teaches all castes to respect each other. Caste discrimination affects an estimated 250 million people worldwide.[1]oeo
Caste is described by the Oxford English Dictionary as both:
"Each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of social status," and "Any exclusive social class".[2]
Cambridge University Press Dictionary defines caste as:
"A system of dividing Hindu society into classes, or any of these classes"[3]
Hinduism is often now associated with the word caste. The term caste was first used by the Portuguese during their 16th century voyages to India. The term caste comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word "casta" which means "lineage". However, many have stated due to Portuguese ignorance of Indian culture and religious tradition they asserted their own 14th century prejudices when defining the social structures found in Hinduism. The caste system is a composite of class system and Hindu religious beliefs. The system is difficult to define through western structures because it incorporates eastern philosophy and Dharmic laws. Therefore, it can only be fully understood through the context or backdrop of eastern philosophy and dharmic laws, not western philosophy.
The four main classes of occupations (Varna in Hinduism) stated in the Rigveda were as follows:
- 1. Brahmanas (scholars and priests)
- 2. Kshastriyas (warrior|soldier warriors)
- 3. Vaishyas (merchants, artisans, and farmer/cultivators)
- 4. Shudras (workers)
- See Wikipedia article on What is the caste system for more information
