Caste system

The term caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning "race, lineage, breed.

• Caste is a system of social stratification.

• : Society is divided into distinct segments or groups, known as castes. Each caste maintains its
own social identity, customs, and traditions.
Or
It involves ranking according to birth and determines one’s occupation, marriage and social
relationships.
• There is a prescribed set of norms, values and sanctions which govern social behaviour within
caste

➢ locally referred to as “jati”

origin of caste
➢ Indian society has its origin in the Varna system .
➢ This system literally means colour which was prevalent during the Vedic period.
➢ In Rigveda varna is divided into two groups .
1. Arya – come from outside india
2. Dasa – original inhabitat of india
Dasa means slave ( slave – because arya came and capture dasa )

➢ In later vedic varna divide into four group .

➢ Based on occupation and initially less number of occupation so only four group .
1. Braham – doing yajna
2. Kshtriya – warrior
3. Vaishya – farmer , trader etc
4. Sudras – who serve above three varna .
▪ The concept of Varna is generally traced to the Purusha Sukta Verse system of the Rig Varna
Veda.
▪ It said that Varna system originated by the sacrifice of the primeval being or Purusha.
▪ After the sacrifice, the Brahmana emerged from the mouth, the Kshatriya from arms, the
Vaishya from thighs, and the Sudra from the feet.
➢ Thus, the four Varnas that emerged were considered to have a divine originInitially varna is
less rigid if occupation change then varna change by doing yajna .
➢ In post vedic period varna became rigidity .
➢ Gradually many occupation develop as develop society then many sub caste group form
which called jati .

Then many features develop such as endogamy marriage means marriage within caste .

But if any one doing marriage exogamy then they will remove from society . and the sons became
untouchable or outcaste so this way untouchable became parts of caste system .

When varna became caste not exact information .

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FEATURES OF CASTE SYSYTEM
1. Segmental Division of Society- The Hindu society is divided into different castes.
- Caste membership is determined by birth .
-Hence, caste status is ascribed .
2. Hierarchy - Castes are arranged in a hierarchical order, with some considered higher
in social status and others lower Caste .
I. Brahmins – Priests, scholars, and teachers. They were considered the highest caste and
custodians of sacred knowledge.
II. Kshatriyas – Warriors and rulers, responsible for protection and governance.
III. Vaishyas – Traders and agriculturists, responsible for the economy and commerce.
IV. Shudras – Laborers and service providers, often doing menial or manual work.
V. Dalits (formerly “Untouchables”) – Outside the varna system, traditionally assigned
degrading occupations and subjected to extreme social ostracization.
3. Restriction on Commensality: Commensality refers to eating together.
So eating together with same caste restriction with different caste .

4. Occupational Differentiation/Specialization: ➢Each caste traditionally had specific

occupations associated with it.
• Occupational roles were often hereditary .
• restriction on choice of occupation .
• leading to a division of labour and economic specialisation among different
castes.
5. Endogamy: Endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within same caste.
6. Purity and Pollution: higher caste consider as purity and lower caste consider will
be pollution so higher caste always misbehave with lower caste .
7. Civil and Religious Disabilities: Certain castes historically faced civil and religious
disabilities, including restrictions on education, access to temples, and participation
in religious ceremonies.
8. Membership Only by Birth: ➢ Caste membership is determined by birth, and
traditionally individuals follow the occupation and social norms associated with their
caste.

9. Caste as a Source of Identity: historically caste is consider the identity of any

human .
10. Caste and Politics: Caste has played a significant role in Indian politics . higher caste
always rule over lower caste and people always support same caste .
11. Law and order - lower caste follow strict rule and different punishment for different
caste so for lower caste have hard punishment .
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Function of caste system
The caste system has been a major feature of Indian society for centuries.
While it has been widely criticized for promoting inequality and discrimination, especially
against lower castes,
it also served certain functions in traditional society, especially before modern reforms.
These functions given below -
1. Division of Labor - Each caste had a traditional occupation. For example:
I. Brahmins were priests and teachers.
II. Kshatriyas were warriors and rulers.
III. Vaishyas were merchants and traders.
IV. Shudras were laborers and service providers.
This division helped distribute work in society, ensuring that all essential services were
carried out. Everyone had a role and responsibility.
2. Social Order and Stability
The caste system provided a clear social structure.
People knew their duties (called dharma) based on their caste.
This created a sense of order and reduced competition for certain roles. It helped maintain
social stability in traditional rural communities.
3. Preservation of Culture and Traditions
Each caste followed its own customs, rituals, dress, and food habits.
These were passed down through generations.
This helped preserve cultural diversity and religious practices within the larger society.
4. Social Control
The caste system acted as a form of social control.
People were expected to follow caste rules in marriage, work, and behavior.
Violating these rules could lead to social punishment.
This maintained discipline and uniformity in society.
5. Sense of Identity and Belonging
People belonged to a specific caste community.
This gave them a sense of identity and emotional support.
Festivals, rituals, and social gatherings helped strengthen the bond within each caste.
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6. Economic Cooperation in Villages
In traditional Indian villages, different caste groups provided different services (priests,
barbers, blacksmiths, farmers, etc.).
This created a system of interdependence where each group depended on others to meet
daily needs.
7. Role Allocation from Birth
Because caste status and occupation were hereditary, individuals didn’t need to compete or
choose careers.
This reduced uncertainty about one’s future role and responsibilities, though it also limited
freedom and social mobility.
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Jajmani system
➢ It could be said that the Jajmani system is a system of distribution whereby high caste
land owning families are provided services by various lower castes such as carpenter,
barber, sweeper, etc
➢ For services rendered, the servicing castes are paid in cash or in kind (grains, fodder,
clothes, animal products like milk, butter, etc.).
➢ The term Jajmani System was introduced into the Indian social anthropology by William
Wiser (1937) through his pioneering work, ‘The Hindu Jajmani System’ .
➢ In his study of a village in Uttar Pradesh, he discovered how different castes interacted
with one another in the production and exchange of goods and services.
➢ It was found that, with some variations, this system existed throughout India.
➢ Based on the agricultural system of production and distribution of goods and services,
➢ Jajamani system is the link between the landowning high caste groups and occupational
castes.

➢ Under this system there are patrons and service castes.

➢ Since caste has a traditional association with an occupation,
➢ the castes are interdependent on each other for securing multiple services .
➢ The servicing castes are called Kamins while the castes served are called Jajmans.
➢ The Rajput, Bhumihar and Jat are the Patron castes in the North and Kamma, Reddi, and
Lingayat in the South.
➢ The service castes comprise barber, carpenter, blacksmith, washermen, leather-worker,
etc.
➢ Relationship under Jajmani was permanent and hereditary.
➢ Oscar Lewis mentions that each caste group within a village is traditionally bound to give
certain standardised services to the families of other castes. While the landowning high
caste families receive services from lower castes and, in return, the members of low
castes receive grains.
➢ Jajmani system has undergone many significant changes in the past decades. In the
village, not every caste participates in this system.
➢ In addition to the jajmani relation, there has always been contractual, wage labour type
of ties between the providers of goods and services and their buyers.
➢ Introduction of cash economy has also brought about changes, because payments in the
jajmani system were in kind rather than in cash.
➢ New opportunities have come up in towns and cities, and many occupational castes have
moved to cities to participate in these opportunities.
➢ The influence of life style, modern education, improved transport and communication
has led to a decline in Jajmani system.
➢ Barter system of exchange is now almost extinct.
➢ Now payment is made in the form of cash.
➢ Broad changes in the caste system have also come in the way of the functioning of the
traditional institution of Jajmani system.