Caste System Caste System

in Hinduism in Hinduism
Offered by Offered by
Prof. M. Emdadul Haq Prof. M. Emdadul HaqMA PhD MA PhD
Department of PSS Department of PSS
North South University North South University
Highlights Highlights
Meaning of Meaning of Varnashrama Varnashrama
Origins of Origins ofVarnashrama Varnashrama
Major Categories Major Categories
Socio Socio--cultural & religious cultural & religious
Implications Implications
Caste system in Bengal Caste system in Bengal
Conclusion Conclusion
Meanings Meanings
The term caste derived from the The term caste derived from the Portuguese term Portuguese term
casta casta. .
Refers to the multiple Refers to the multiple stratum stratumof 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 kinship kinship within the Hindu within the Hindu
society. society.
Identity for an Identity for an occupation occupation. .
Some degree of Some degree of reciprocity reciprocity between castes as between castes as
skills & products were exchanged. skills & products were exchanged.
Origins of Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
Difficult to Difficult to trace trace out when caste system out when caste system
exactly entered into the life of Hindus. exactly entered into the life of Hindus.
Caste system didnt exist in the Caste system didnt exist in the Vedic era. Vedic era.
It c It came up later as the ame up later as the Aryanization Aryanization of of
society. society.
Aryans were divided into three Aryans were divided into three social classes social classes: :
1. Priests ( 1. Priests (Purohita Purohita), ),
2. Warriors or aristocracy, & 2. Warriors or aristocracy, &
3. Commoners. 3. Commoners.
Origins of Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
Spread of Spread of Arya culture Arya culture led to the classification led to the classification
of different groups with particular of different groups with particular occupations occupations
as distinct as distinct jatis jatis. .
Aryanisation Aryanisation of the subcontinent led to the of the subcontinent led to the
varna varna division into a division into a hierarchical hierarchical order. order.
Gradual Gradual absorption absorption of outsiders within the of outsiders within the
cultural fold of the caste system. cultural fold of the caste system.
Absorption of Absorption of non non--vaidika vaidika people to the lower people to the lower
stratum. stratum.
Gradually turned into an extreme form. Gradually turned into an extreme form.
Origins of Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
The idea of The idea of varna varna is traceable in the is traceable in the Rig Veda Rig Veda. .
By way of By way of metaphor metaphor, the source tells that , the source tells that Lord Lord
Krishnas body Krishnas body was divided into four divisions: was divided into four divisions:
From his From his mouth mouth 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 legs legs & the workers from his & the workers from his feet feet. .
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 Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
Articulation of Varnashrama is found in the Articulation of Varnashrama is found in the
Bhagavad Bhagavad--Gita Gita, commonly known as the , commonly known as the Bible Bible
of India of 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
varnas varnas), as well as four underlying ), as well as four underlying spiritual spiritual
orders orders or or ashramas ashramas..
These These social social &&spiritual spiritual divisions allow for the divisions allow for the
effective application of eternal religious effective application of eternal religious
principles. principles.
Origins of Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
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 Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
Caste system was a Caste system was a Brahmanic attempt Brahmanic 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 dharmasutras dharmasutras & & 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.
Non Non--vaidika vaidika 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 Varnashrama Origins of Varnashrama
Occupation Occupation become increasingly a matter of become increasingly a matter of
birth ( birth (jati jati) & passed on from father to son for ) & passed on from father to son for
generations together. generations together.
J atis J atis 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 rigid rigid, social , social
mobility & intermarriage between themselves mobility & intermarriage between themselves
were discouraged & forbidden. were discouraged & forbidden.
Twice
born
groups
Brahmins Brahmins
Priestly intellectual Priestly 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 sacredness sacredness. .
RRegarded as egarded as teachers teachers & judges or even gods on & judges or even gods on
earth. earth.
They have the They have the birthright birthright to acquire knowledge, to acquire knowledge,
wisdom & faith. wisdom & faith.
They are thoughtful & inclined toward They are thoughtful & inclined toward study study. .
Responds to Responds to goodness goodness & is gentle & clean. & is gentle & clean.
Thus, ritualistic Brahmins explained Thus, ritualistic Brahmins explained dharma dharma in in
their own favor. their own favor.
Brahmins Brahmins
During the Vedic era, During the Vedic era, Brahmins Brahmins did all did all
sacrificial rituals for their own sake or on sacrificial rituals for their own sake or on
payment payment. .
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
Kshatriyas Kshatriyas & the & the Vaisyas Vaisyas..
Kshatriya Kshatriya
Politicians, administrators, warriors & rulers. Politicians, administrators, warriors & rulers.
Powerful of physique & might & are the Powerful of physique & might & are the
custodians custodians of state. of state.
Protector of the Hindu Protector of the Hindu dharma dharma & people. & people.
Courage Courageis a virtue of the is a virtue of theKshatriyas Kshatriyas/ 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 noble Characteristically noble, except when passion , except when passion
runs out. runs out.
Vaisya Vaisya
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
gains gains. .
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 stability economic stability, & it is difficult , & it is difficult
for him to see beyond that. for him to see beyond that.
Sudras Sudras
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.
Vision Vision is limited, feels good when is limited, feels good when work hard work hard..
Born assistant Born 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
Not Not belonging to any of the castes. belonging to any of the castes.
Considered Considered outcastes outcastes or untouchables. or untouchables.
Higher caste people wouldnt touch the caste Higher caste people wouldnt touch the caste--
less. less.
Refrain from letting their Refrain from letting their shadows shadows 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 for for touching them touching them. .
Unsociability in the name of maintaining Unsociability in the name of maintaining
brahmanical brahmanical ritual purity ritual purity..
Implications Implications
All Hindu traditions have respect for All Hindu traditions have respect for
Varnashrama Varnashrama as part of Dharma. as part of Dharma.
The socio The socio--religious system set in Indias religious system set in Indias
distant past distant 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 deemphasize deemphasize 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 heritage theological 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
Implications Implications
Implications Implications
Hereditary & Hereditary & permanent permanent. .
Hierarchy Hierarchy is determined on the basis of is determined on the basis of
different different varnas varnas..
Exhibit in their Exhibit in their character character & actions. & actions.
The levels The levels of the social hierarchy is of the social hierarchy is fixed fixed & &
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 ones The set rules imposed by ones karma karma (act) (act)
was was eternal eternal & unchangeable. & unchangeable.
Implications Implications
Varna represent Varna represent mental temper mental temper or or Gunas Gunas that that
are of three kinds: are of three kinds:
Sattava Sattava resides among the white Brahmins, resides among the white Brahmins,
Rajas Rajas or red/brown color is predominant or red/brown color is predominant
among the business or merchant people among the business or merchant people
Tamas Tamas or black color among workers. or black color among workers.
By the differential of By the differential of mental quality mental quality & color, & color,
physical action of the people is determined. physical action of the people is determined.
Social position of
individuals is
ascribedat birth.
Implications Implications
Varnashrama is the Varnashrama is the Nitya Dharma Nitya Dharma. .
Eternal Duty Eternal 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 ones personal duty suggest ones 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 actions past 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 Sdra or a svapka 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
Implications Implications
Implications Implications
Preserve Preserve ritual purity ritual purity & social position in the face of & social position in the face of
urban pluralism urban pluralism. .
For the lower casts, it meant For the lower casts, it meant denial of access denial of access to to
opportunities that are available to the opportunities that are available to the vaidika vaidika elites elites. .
Untouchables would live outside the area of the cities Untouchables would live outside the area of the cities
where the where the twice twice--born born stay. stay.
No access to socio No 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 J atis J atis have their have theirKarma Karma division distinct division distinct Varna Varna, ,
which is specified by a particular which is specified by a particular Karma. Karma.
Karma Karma division wholeheartedly is regarded as division wholeheartedly is regarded as
Dharma Dharma..
Dharma
Karma
J ati
Varna
Implications Implications
Associated with the Associated with the reincarnation reincarnation that that
Hindus are born again after death. Hindus are born again after death.
Hinduism suggests that peoples behavior in Hinduism suggests that peoples 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 god god--
given. given.
People People generally accept their generally accept their ascribed ascribed caste caste
position. position.
Caste system in Bengal Caste system in Bengal
Epigraphic evidence suggests that prior to the Epigraphic evidence suggests that prior to the
establishment of establishment of Arya Brahmanical state Arya 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 period Gupta 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.
Dominance Dominance was established by the patronage was established by the patronage
of ruling dynasties & wealthy people. of ruling dynasties & wealthy people.
Caste system in Bengal Caste 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 state Pala state & society (750 & society (750--1150). 1150).
Buddhist Buddhist Pala Pala state remained the upholder & state remained the upholder &
defendant of the defendant of the Brahmanical social system Brahmanical social system. .
They made many land endowments to the They made many land endowments to the
Brahmins & Brahmanical Brahmins & Brahmanical temples temples. .
Caste system in Bengal Caste 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 rule Sena 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
Buddhism Buddhism& & J ainism J ainismemerged in the 6 emerged in the 6
th th
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
egalitarian egalitarian 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.
Mahatma Mahatma Gandhi called Untouchables as Gandhi called Untouchables as
Horizon. Horizon.
Conclusion Conclusion
Emerging from a low caste background Emerging from a low caste background Dr. Ambetkar Dr. 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 Dalits Dalits 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 Gandhis Harijans or people of God. attack Gandhis Harijans or people of God.
Thank you Thank you