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Caste & Its Nature

The document discusses the concept of caste in Hindu society, highlighting its hierarchical nature, restrictions on food and social relations, and the associated privileges and disabilities of different castes. It explains how caste influences occupational choices and imposes endogamous marriage rules, with higher castes enjoying more privileges compared to lower castes. The caste system is characterized by a gradational division, leading to social stratification and practices such as untouchability.

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16 views

Caste & Its Nature

The document discusses the concept of caste in Hindu society, highlighting its hierarchical nature, restrictions on food and social relations, and the associated privileges and disabilities of different castes. It explains how caste influences occupational choices and imposes endogamous marriage rules, with higher castes enjoying more privileges compared to lower castes. The caste system is characterized by a gradational division, leading to social stratification and practices such as untouchability.

Uploaded by

emilylalremsiami
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CASTE & ITS NATURE

•The word ‘caste’ is derived from the Spanish word


‘casta’ meaning ‘breed’ or ‘lineage’. The Portuguese
used the term first to denote the division in the Indian
system....
•According to Sir Herbert Rizley ‘caste is a collection
of families, bearing a common name, claiming a
common descent from a mythical ancestor, human
and divine, professing to follow the same hereditary
and one regarded by those who are competent to
given an opinion as forming a single homogeneous
community’.
• NATURE / CHARACTERISTICS/ FEATURES
• A hierarchical division of society: The Hindu
society is a gradational one. It is divided in to
several small groups called caste and sub-caste. A
sense of highness and lowness, superiority and
inferiority is associate with this gradation. The
Brahmins are placed at the top of the hierarchy
and are regarded as pure. The degraded caste
untouchables have occupied the other end of the
hierarchy.
• Caste as a segmental division of society: The Hindu
society is a caste ridden society. It is divided into a
number of segments called sub-caste. It is not a
homogeneous society. Caste are groups with a well
defined boundary of their own.
• Restriction on food habits: The caste system has
imposed certain restriction on the food habit of the
members. They differ from caste to caste. What kind of
food and from whom/ is often decided by the caste. In
North India a Brahmin would accept pakka food (cooked
in ghee) only from some caste lower than his own. But
he would accept kachcha food (prepared with the use of
water) at the hands of no other caste except his own.
Interdining among different caste is strictly prohibited
• Restriction on social relation: The caste system puts certain
restrictions on the range of social relations. The idea of pollution makes this
point clear. It means a touch of lower caste man would pollute a man of higher
caste. Even their shadow is enough to consider to pollute a higher caste man.
This has resulted in the practice of untouchability. In Kerala a Nayar could
approach a Nambudari Brahmin but would not touch him. A Tayari was
expected to keep himself at a distance of 36 steps from the Brahmins and a
Pulayan a distance of 96 paces.

• 5. Social and religious disabilities of certain caste: In the traditional


caste society, some lower caste people suffer from certain civil or social and
religious disabilities. Generally, the impure caste are made to live on the
outskirts of the city or the village. In south India, certain parts of the towns are
not accessible to the Harijans. It is recorded that during the Peshwa rule in
Maharashtra the Mahars and Mangs were not allowed within the gate of Poona
before 9:00 a.m and after 3:00 p.m. The reason was during this time their
bodies would cast through long shadows which if were to fall on the Brahmins
would defile them. The Toddy tappers of Malabar were not allowed to carry
umbrellas, to wear shoes or golden ornaments and to milk cows. The were
forbidden to cover the upper part of their body.
• Restriction on occupational choice: In the caste ridden society
there is a tradition of occupation. Some occupations are considered
to be superior and sacred, while certain others are degrading and
inferior. For a long time, occupations were very much associated
with the caste system. Each caste had its own specific occupation
and the caste members were expected to continue the same
occupation. Occupations were almost hereditary and birth is the
criterion for the occupations of individuals.
•
• 7. The civil and religious privileges of certain caste:If the lower
caste people suffer from certain disabilities; some higher caste
people like the Brahmins enjoy certain privileges. Nowhere the
Brahmin suffers from the disabilities. They are given more liberty,
because they are believed to be born pure and superior. Education
and teaching were almost the monopoly of the higher caste
people. The upper caste in general, enjoyed social, political, legal
and religious privileges.
• Restrictions on marriage: The caste system imposed
restrictions on marriage also. Caste is an endogamous
group, i.e a rule of marriage according to which an
individual has to marry within his/her caste. According to
the rule of endogamy, a shivalli Brahmin has to a shivalli
girl and so on. Intercaste marriages were strictly
forbidden them. Even at present also intercaste
marriage have not become popular. Violation of the rule
of endogamy was strictly dealt with the early days.

• ENDOGAMY _ Marriage within each own caste


•THE END

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