The Indian caste system may have developed after the Aryan invasions in 1500 B.C. and continues to be important in modern India. Caste membership is determined by birth. People are forbidden to marry outside their caste.
According to Hindu tradition caste duties are a person's dharma, obligation and destiny. "It is better to discharge one's own appointed duty (dharma) incompletely than to perform completely that of another; for he who lives according to the law of another caste is instantly excluded from his own." (Laws of Manu, Chapter 10:97) Today discrimination and abuse based on caste is illegal, although it continues to be a serious problem. People from all castes are found in almost all occupations, except for some temple positions still held only by Brahmins and some menial jobs held almost completely by Untouchables.
The word "caste" can refer to varnas, the five groups shown here, or jati, over 3,000 subgroups divided by region and occupation.
According to Hindu tradition caste duties are a person's dharma, obligation and destiny. "It is better to discharge one's own appointed duty (dharma) incompletely than to perform completely that of another; for he who lives according to the law of another caste is instantly excluded from his own." (Laws of Manu, Chapter 10:97) Today discrimination and abuse based on caste is illegal, although it continues to be a serious problem. People from all castes are found in almost all occupations, except for some temple positions still held only by Brahmins and some menial jobs held almost completely by Untouchables.
The word "caste" can refer to varnas, the five groups shown here, or jati, over 3,000 subgroups divided by region and occupation.
The upper castes are called dvija, twice-born. This is not a reference to reincarnation. Instead it refers to the "rebirth" of boys into the life of a student of religious knowledge. Traditionally Sudras and Untouchables could not even listen to Hindu scripture.
The Brahmins are the highest caste. In theory they have been able to demand anything from other castes. They traditionally perform certain key religious rites and study religious texts. They are usually expected to be vegetarian and to avoid any part of a dead animal. They also avoid contact with Untouchables.
Jawaharal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India (although he was personally an atheist), musician Ravi Shankar, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan are or were from the Brahmin caste.
Jawaharal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India (although he was personally an atheist), musician Ravi Shankar, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan are or were from the Brahmin caste.
The Kshatriyas have traditionally been soldiers and rulers. They are expected to behave justly, show bravery and strength, and protect the weak and unarmed. Despite their dedication to warfare and politics, some of India's most famous religious figures, including Krishna (giver of the Bhagavad Gita), Siddharata Gautama (founder of Buddhism), and Mahavira (founder of the Jains) have been Kshatriyas. Modern writer and alternative medicine lecturer Deepak Chopra is from the Kshatriya caste.
Vaishya are expected to know business and prices, be productive, and give generously. The most famous Vaishya of recent times was Mohandas K. Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement and the pioneer of non-violent resistance.
Sudras are the lowest of the "clean" castes. They are expected to work hard, be humble, and obey the higher castes. Many jati of the Sudras are entitled to reserved places in government and education as a way of correcting for past discrimination.
Untouchables are from occupations so "impure" that they were placed outside the varna system altogether. They have been called Panchama, "fifth;" Harijans, "Children of God;" and Dalit "oppressed." Dalit is the most common term today.
Brahmins needed to purify themselves if they touched, in some cases if they saw or walked in the footprints of, a member of this caste. This practice is the source of the name "Untouchable." They were banned from entering temples, drinking from normal village wells, living near the rest of the population, and were expected to warn others of their approach. They were frequently abused, even killed, by higher caste members.
During the struggle for independence, important Indian leaders felt the Untouchables deserved protection. Gandhi gave them the name Harijans. The Constitution not only banned untouchability, but also reserved places in government and education for them. Bhimrao R. Ambedkar, often called the father of the Indian Constitution, was an Untouchable and later converted to Buddhism. Former President K.R. Narayanan (1997-2002) and former Chief Justice K.G. Balakrisnan (2007-2010) are from this caste.
Brahmins needed to purify themselves if they touched, in some cases if they saw or walked in the footprints of, a member of this caste. This practice is the source of the name "Untouchable." They were banned from entering temples, drinking from normal village wells, living near the rest of the population, and were expected to warn others of their approach. They were frequently abused, even killed, by higher caste members.
During the struggle for independence, important Indian leaders felt the Untouchables deserved protection. Gandhi gave them the name Harijans. The Constitution not only banned untouchability, but also reserved places in government and education for them. Bhimrao R. Ambedkar, often called the father of the Indian Constitution, was an Untouchable and later converted to Buddhism. Former President K.R. Narayanan (1997-2002) and former Chief Justice K.G. Balakrisnan (2007-2010) are from this caste.