What are castes called in India? Caste system in India

Many Europeans, Americans, as well as our compatriots believe that Eastern culture is much more sublime and humane than the values ​​of the pragmatic Western world. However, they forget that it was in India that one of the most severe forms of social stratification- caste, dooming millions of people and their descendants to a lifelong vegetation in poverty and lawlessness, while a select minority is surrounded by honor and has access to all the benefits of civilization.

The division into castes (or, as they are called in India, “varnas”) arose during the era of the decomposition of the primitive communal system, when property inequality appeared. The first written mention of the caste system dates back to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Rig Veda talks about the emergence of four varnas that exist in India to this day:

• Brahmins are a priestly caste. Nowadays, Brahmins are also engaged in the performance of religious rites, they are often officials or teachers;
• Kshatriyas are a warrior caste. Today kshatriyas not only serve in the army and police, but also occupy important positions in government administration;
• Vaishyas are farmers and traders. Many vaishyas could even surpass the representatives of the upper castes in wealth and influence. IN modern India Vaishyas continue to engage in trade and agriculture, as well as credit and banking operations;
• Shudras are a semi-subordinate caste of peasants and workers, usually in the service of representatives of the higher castes. Despite the low prestige of this caste, many Shudras were able to accumulate substantial wealth and own large tracts of land.

There is also separate group population, including everyone who is not included in the above four castes - untouchables or Dalits. Anthropologists and historians believe that the untouchable caste arose during the Aryan conquest of India (XII-VII centuries BC). The conquerors who came to the new lands wanted to keep the local Dravidian peoples subordinate, so they came up with this social system, in which the aborigines could not normally integrate into society and occupy any significant position in it. Thus, all the Aryan invaders became members of one caste or another (depending on their occupation), and all the conquered were declared untouchable. Dalits did the dirtiest work. They tanned leather, removed dead animals from the streets, and cleaned toilets. They were strictly forbidden to enter the yards of other castes or use public wells. Although everyone despised the untouchables, these people also had a certain power. It was believed that an untouchable could defile a person from a higher caste. Such defilement was most dangerous for a brahmana. The mere touch of a Dalit to a Brahmin's clothing meant to the latter long years trying to clear your karma.

The life of a representative of each varna is clearly regulated. Caste determines what clothes a person can wear, what he can eat, and how he should communicate with others. Representatives of different castes, with rare exceptions, are prohibited from marrying each other. Children born into a certain caste can no longer change their social status. Officially, a transition from one caste to another is possible only with a decrease in status. It is impossible to move to a more prestigious caste. However, many Indians resort to tricks that allow them to go beyond the strict varna system. Firstly, since each caste has its own set of surnames, it is possible to bribe an official and take a high-caste surname. Secondly, you can abandon Hinduism and accept a religion where there is no caste division. Some Hindus then return to Hinduism again, but at the same time claim that before the change of religion they were Brahmins or Kshatriyas.

Religious explanation for human inequality

Caste system flowing out of religious ideas Hindus. According to the Rig Veda, the entire cosmos was created from the body of the first man Purusha. Purusha was sacrificed by the gods to create the world. From separate parts of his body arose: earth, air, wind and heavenly bodies. Moreover, Purusha gave rise to the entire human race. From his mouth emerged the Brahmins, from his arms the Kshatriyas, from his thighs the Vaishyas, and from his feet the Shudras.

The doctrine of reincarnation is also aimed at preserving the existing social inequality. According to Hindu beliefs, a person who strictly observes all the rules of his caste, after death, can be born in the body of a representative of a higher varna.

Caste divisions today

Despite the fact that to Westerners the division into castes seems cruel and undemocratic, in modern India castes not only have not disappeared, but have become more structured. Each caste today is divided into additional subgroups - jati. In total there are more than 80 different jatis. Although there are no documents that would indicate a person’s belonging to one or another varna, caste division is strictly protected by religion and traditions.

The largest caste in modern India are the untouchables - about 1/5 of the country's total population. Dalits live in special ghettos where unemployment and crime are rampant. The untouchables cannot receive normal education or high quality medical care. They are not allowed to enter shops, pharmacies, hospitals, temples and public transport used by members of other castes. Just like thousands of years ago, these people do the dirtiest and hardest work.

Attempts to establish social equality were made by many Indian fighters for civil rights, including Mahatma Gandhi. They were able to ensure that the Indian Constitution recognized the equality of untouchables with representatives of other castes, however, in fact, the attitude towards Dalits in modern India remains the same as 4 thousand years ago. The courts are lenient towards criminals who commit unlawful acts against untouchables, Dalits receive lower salaries compared to members of other castes.

Despite the fact that India today is open to Western liberal ideas, the untouchables have never dared to rebel. The centuries-old habit of being submissive and the fear of karmic contamination prevent these people from starting the fight for freedom and equality.

"India - modern state“, in which there is no place for discrimination and inequality,” Indian politicians speak from the stands. “Caste system? We live in the 21st century! Any form of discrimination based on caste is a thing of the past,” public figures broadcast on talk shows. Even locals country people, when asked whether the caste system is alive, they answer at length: “it’s not like that anymore.”

Having seen enough of it up close, I set myself the task of observing and drawing up own opinion: whether the caste system of India remains only in textbooks or on paper, or lives on, disguised and hidden.

Village children from different castes play together.

As a result, having lived in India for 5 months, I can say with confidence:

1. The caste system exists in Indian state and today. People are given official documents that reflect their caste.
2. Enormous efforts of politicians, PR people, and television are aimed at eradicating discrimination based on caste.
3. In society, the caste system has been preserved and lives happily ever after. Elements of discrimination are still present. Of course, it is far from being in the same form as before, but still. “Caste is not important these days,” say Indians with their naive eyes wide open. And their daily actions confirm the opposite.

A little theory. What is the caste system.

In India, there are 4 main castes that depict the human body. Russians love to argue about caste, varna, what is what. I do not pretend to be a scientific treatise and will use the terminology that is used by “ordinary” Indians with whom I communicated on the issue. They use castes and podcasts in English version. Jati - in living Hindi used. If they want to know a person's caste, they only ask what his jati is. And if they say where he is from, they usually give his last name. The caste is clear to everyone based on the last name. When asked what varna is, ordinary Indians could not answer me; they did not even understand this word. For them it is ancient and unused.

1st caste – head. Brahmins. Clergy (priests), thinkers, scientists, doctors.

A married couple from the Brahmin caste.

2nd caste – shoulders and arms. Kshatriyas. Warriors, police, rulers, organizers, administrators, landowners.

3rd caste – torso or belly. Vaishya. Farmers, artisans, traders.

Furniture makers. 3rd caste.

4th caste – legs. Shudras. Servants, cleaners. The Indians call them Untouchable - untouchables. They can both perform the lowest jobs and occupy high positions - thanks to the efforts of the government.

Within the castes are divided into a large number of podcasts, which are arranged in a hierarchical order relative to each other. There are several thousand podcasts in India.

No one in Khajuraho could really tell me what the difference is between the subcastes within the 1st and 2nd castes, and what, more specifically, is their purpose. Today, only the level is clear – who is higher and who is lower relative to each other.

With the 3rd and 4th caste it is more transparent. People determine the purpose of the caste directly by their last name. Haircut, sewing, cooking, making sweets, fishing, making furniture, herding goats - examples of podcast 3. Tanning leather, removing dead animals, cremating bodies, cleaning sewers are examples of the 4th caste subcaste.

A child from the cleaner caste is the 4th.

So what has been preserved from caste systems in our time, and what has sunk into oblivion?

I am sharing my observations of the lives of the people of Madhya Pradesh. Residents of advanced cities - I know what’s wrong with you :) You are already much closer to the west. But in our wilderness it’s the way I write :)

Manifestations of the caste system that have disappeared or changed today.

1. Earlier settlements were built on the principle of division of castes. Each of the 4 castes had their own streets, square, temples, etc. Today, in some places there are communities, and in others they are mixed. This doesn't bother anyone. Only a few villages have retained their original organization, with a clear division of territory. For example, in .

Old village of Khajuraho. Retained the organization of streets according to castes.

1. All children have equal opportunities to receive an education. The issue may be money, but not caste.

A boy grazes buffaloes at sunset and learns a lesson from a notebook.

1. All people have the opportunity to get a job in government agencies or large companies. People belonging to lower castes are given quotas, jobs, etc. God forbid they start talking about discrimination. When entering university or work, the lower castes are generally in chocolate. For example, the passing score for a Kshatriya may be 75, and for the same place for a Shudra it may be 40.
2. Unlike the old days, a profession is often chosen not according to caste, but as it turns out. Take our restaurant workers, for example. The one who has to sew clothes and the fisherman work as cooks, one waiter is from the washerwoman caste, and the second is from the kshatriya caste of warriors. The cleaner is called to be a cleaner - he is from the 4th caste - Shudra, but his younger brother already washes only the floor, but not the toilet, and goes to school. His family hopes for a bright future for him. There are several teachers in our family (kshatriyas), although traditionally this is the domain of the brahmins. And one aunt sews professionally (one of the 3rd caste subcastes does this). My husband's brother is studying to become an engineer. Grandfather dreams of when someone will go to work in the police or army. But so far no one has gathered.
3. Some things were forbidden for castes. For example, the consumption of meat and alcohol by the first caste - Brahmins. Now many Brahmins have forgotten the behests of their ancestors and eat whatever they want. At the same time, society condemns this, very strongly, but they still drink and eat meat.
4. Today people are friends regardless of caste. They can sit together, communicate, play. Previously this was impossible.
5. Government organizations - such as schools, universities, hospitals - are mixed. Any person has the right to come there, no matter how some wrinkle their noses.

Evidence of the existence of a caste system.

1. The untouchables are the sudras. In cities and the state they are protected, but in the outback they are considered untouchable. In a village, a Shudra will not enter the house of representatives of higher castes, or will only touch certain objects. If he is given a glass of water, then it is thrown away. If someone touches a sudra, he will go and take a shower. As an example, our uncle has gym. It is located in rented premises. 3 representatives of the 4th caste came to my uncle. He said, of course, do it. But the brahmana, the owner of the house, said - no, I don’t allow untouchables to be in my house. I had to refuse them.
2. A very clear proof of the viability of the caste system is marriages. Most weddings in India today are organized by parents. This is the so-called arranged-marriage. Parents are looking for a groom for their daughter. So, the first thing they look at when choosing him is his caste. IN major cities There are exceptions when young people from modern families finds each other for love and gets married to the sighs of their parents (or simply runs away). But if the parents themselves are looking for a groom, then only in accordance with caste.
3. We have 20,000 people in Khajuraho. At the same time, no matter who I ask about - what caste they are from, they will definitely answer me. If a person is known a little, then his caste is also known. At a minimum, the top one is 1,2,3 or 4, and very often they also know the podcast - where it is inside. People easily say who is taller than whom and by how many steps, how castes relate to each other.
4. The arrogance of people from the highest castes - 1st and 2nd - is very noticeable. Brahmins are calm, but periodically express slight contempt and disgust. If a representative of a lower caste or a Dalit works as a cashier at a railway station, no one will wonder what caste he belongs to. But if he lives in the same village as a Brahmin, and everyone knows what caste he is from, the Brahmin will not touch him or take anything. Kshatriyas are outright bullies and braggarts. They playfully bully representatives of lower castes, command them, and they just giggle stupidly, but don’t answer anything.

Representative of the 2nd caste - Kshatriyas.

1. Many representatives of the 3rd and 4th castes show demonstrative respect to people from the 1st and 2nd. They call the Brahmins Maraj, and the Kshatriyas Raja or Dau (patron, protector, elder brother in Bhundelkhand). They fold their hands in namaste to the level of their heads when they greet, and in response they only deign to nod their heads. They often jump out of their chair when the upper caste approaches. And, the worst thing is, they periodically try to touch their feet. I already wrote that in India, when they say hello or during important holidays, may touch the legs. Mostly they do this with their family. Brahmins also touch their feet in the temple or during a ceremony. So, some individuals strive to touch the feet of people of a higher caste. This used to be common, but now, in my opinion, it looks ingratiating. It's especially unpleasant when old man runs to touch the young man’s feet to show him respect. By the way, the 4th caste, as previously oppressed and now actively defended, behaves more boldly. Representatives of the 3rd caste behave respectfully and are happy to serve, but the cleaner may snap at you. It’s very funny to watch, again, using the example of a restaurant, how employees, without hesitation, scold each other. At the same time, making a remark to the cleaner is given to everyone with with great effort, and they are trying to shift this mission to me. He always listens to me, looking wide with delight. with open eyes. If others have the opportunity to communicate with whites - this is a tourist place, then the Shudras rarely manage to do this, and they remained in awe of us.
2. Despite the fact that representatives of different castes spend time together, as I wrote earlier (point 6 of the last block), inequality is still felt. Representatives of the 1st and 2nd castes communicate with each other as equals. And towards others they allow themselves more impudence. If something needs to be done, the one with the lower caste will immediately blow himself up. Even between friends these marajs and daws are constantly heard. It happens that parents may prohibit their children from making friends with representatives of lower castes. Much, of course, depends on upbringing. What is more clearly expressed on the street, in an institute, for example, is no longer noticeable - here everyone usually communicates on equal terms and with respect.

Children of farmers - 3rd caste.

1. Above I wrote about equals and even Better conditions for low castes when applying for government jobs or large companies. However, this does not work in small towns and villages. I asked my husband whether he could hire a Shudra as a cook. He thought for a long time and said, after all, no. No matter how great the cook is, this is not possible. People won't come and the restaurant will have a bad reputation. The same applies to hairdressing salons, sewing shops, etc. Therefore, for those who want to get to the top, the only way is to leave their native places. To a place where there are no friends.

In conclusion, I want to say about the new caste that rules the world. And in India too. This is the money caste. Everyone will remember about a poor kshatriya that he is a kshatriya, but they will never show as much respect as a rich kshatriya. It saddens me to see how educated but poor Brahmins are sometimes favored and humiliated in front of those who have money. A Sudra who has become rich will move in a “higher,” so to speak, society. But he will never receive the same respect as the Brahmins. People will run to him to touch his feet, and behind his back they will remember that he is... What is happening now in India is probably very similar to the slow death of European high society, when rich Americans and local merchants slowly penetrated it. The lords first resisted, then secretly slandered, and in the end they completely became history.

Sometimes it seems that we are so accustomed to the 21st century with its equality, civil society, as well as the development modern technologies that the existence of strict social strata in society is perceived with surprise.

But in India, people live like this, belonging to a certain caste (which determines the scope of rights and responsibilities), since the times before our era.

Varna

Initially, the Indian people were divided into four classes, which were called “varnas”; and this division appeared as a result of the decomposition of the primitive communal layer and the development of property inequality.

Belonging to each class was determined solely by birth. Even in the Indian Laws of Manu you can find mention of the following Indian varnas, which exist to this day:

• . Brahmins have always been the highest stratum in the caste system and an honorable caste; now these people are mainly clergy, officials, teachers;
• Kshatriyas are warriors. The main task The kshatriyas were the guardians of the country. Now, in addition to serving in the military, representatives of this caste can occupy various administrative positions;
• Vaishyas are farmers. They were engaged in cattle breeding and trade. Basically, this is finance, banking, since the Vaishyas preferred not to participate directly in cultivating the land;
• Shudras are disadvantaged members of society who do not have full rights; the peasant layer, which was initially subordinate to other higher castes.

State administration was concentrated in the hands of the first two varnas. It was strictly forbidden to move from one varna to another; there were also restrictions on mixed marriages. You can learn more about this from the article ““.

Castes

Gradually, a caste system is being formed in India. Varnas begin to be divided into castes, with each caste having a specific profession. Thus, caste division reflected the social division of labor. Until now in India there is a very strong belief that, by observing all the rules of caste and not violating prohibitions, a person will move into a higher position in the next life. high caste(and those who violate the requirements will be demoted down the social ladder).

Castes in modern India

Caste, how social organization in society, exists everywhere throughout India, but each region may have its own. Moreover, each caste contains many sub-castes (jatis), which makes their number truly countless.

All this even led to the fact that caste was no longer taken into account in population censuses, because every year their number is increasing more and more.

For example, there are castes of tailors (Darzi), water-carriers (Jhinvar), scavengers (Bhangi) and even a caste of brahmins who live by alms (Bhatra).

Of course, the caste system in modern India has long ceased to have the importance it was given in ancient times. Now there is a tendency to reduce the influence of castes and social classes on the lives of the country's residents.

If previously almost everything was determined social origin, then now, for example, promotion in service is possible thanks to individual characteristics, abilities and skills of a person, and not just because of birth.

The untouchable caste in India is a phenomenon that cannot be found in any other country in the world. Originating in ancient times, the caste division of society exists in the country to this day. The lowest level in the hierarchy is occupied by the untouchable caste, which includes 16-17% of the country's population. Its representatives constitute the “bottom” of Indian society. Caste structure is a complex issue, but let’s try to shed light on some of its aspects.

Caste structure of Indian society

Despite the difficulty of reconstructing a complete structural picture of castes in the distant past, it is still possible to identify historical groups in India. There are five of them.

The highest group (varna) of brahmanas includes civil servants, large and small landowners, and priests.

Next comes the Kshatriya varna, which included the military and agricultural castes - Rajaputs, Jats, Marathas, Kunbis, Reddis, Kapus, etc. Some of them form a feudal stratum, the representatives of which later join the lower and middle ranks of the feudal class.

The next two groups (vaishyas and sudras) include the middle and lower castes of farmers, officials, artisans, and community servants.

And finally, the fifth group. It includes the castes of community servants and farmers, deprived of all rights to own and use land. They are called untouchables.

“India”, “untouchable caste” are concepts inextricably linked with each other in the minds of the world community. Meanwhile, in a country with ancient culture continue to honor the customs and traditions of their ancestors in dividing people according to their origin and belonging to a caste.

The history of the untouchables

The lowest caste in India - the untouchables - owes its appearance to historical process, which took place in the Middle Ages in the region. At that time, India was conquered by stronger and more civilized tribes. Naturally, the invaders came to the country with the aim of enslaving its indigenous population, preparing for them the role of servants.

To isolate the Indians, they were settled in special settlements built separately, similar to modern ghettos. Civilized outsiders did not allow the natives into their community.

It is assumed that it was the descendants of these tribes who subsequently formed the untouchable caste. It included farmers and servants of the community.

True, today the word “untouchables” has been replaced by another - “Dalits”, which means “oppressed”. It is believed that "untouchables" sounds offensive.

Since Indians often use the word "jati" rather than "caste", their number is difficult to determine. But still, Dalits can be divided by occupation and place of residence.

How do untouchables live?

The most common Dalit castes are Chamars (tanners), Dhobis (washerwomen) and Pariahs. If the first two castes have some kind of profession, then the pariahs live only on unskilled labor - removing household waste, cleaning and washing toilets.

Hard and dirty work is the fate of the untouchables. The lack of any qualifications brings them a meager income, allowing only

However, among the untouchables there are groups that are at the top of the caste, such as the hijras.

These are representatives of all kinds of sexual minorities who engage in prostitution and begging. They are also often invited to all kinds of religious rituals, weddings, and birthdays. Of course, this group has much more to live on than the untouchable tanner or laundress.

But such an existence could not but cause protest among the Dalits.

Protest struggle of the untouchables

Surprisingly, the untouchables did not resist the tradition of division into castes imposed by the invaders. However, in the last century the situation changed: the untouchables, under the leadership of Gandhi, made the first attempts to destroy the stereotype that had developed over centuries.

The essence of these performances was to draw public attention to caste inequality in India.

Interestingly, Gandhi's cause was taken up by a certain Ambedkar from the Brahmin caste. Thanks to him, the untouchables became Dalits. Ambedkar ensured that they received quotas for all types of professional activity. That is, an attempt was made to integrate these people into society.

Today's controversial policies of the Indian government often cause conflicts involving untouchables.

However, it does not come to a riot, because the untouchable caste in India is the most submissive part of the Indian community. The age-old timidity of other castes, ingrained in the consciousness of people, blocks any thoughts of rebellion.

Indian Government Policy and Dalits

The untouchables... The life of the harshest caste in India evokes a cautious and even contradictory reaction from the outside, since we're talking about about the age-old traditions of Indians.

But still it is prohibited at the state level in the country caste discrimination. Actions that offend representatives of any varna are considered a crime.

At the same time, the caste hierarchy is legalized by the country's constitution. That is, the untouchable caste in India is recognized by the state, which looks like a serious contradiction in government policy. As a result modern history The country has many serious conflicts between individual castes and even within them.

The untouchables are the most despised class in India. However, other citizens are still terribly afraid of Dalits.

It is believed that a representative of an untouchable caste in India is capable of desecrating a person from another varna by his very presence. If a Dalit touches the clothes of a Brahman, the latter will need more than one year to cleanse his karma of filth.

But an untouchable (the caste of South India includes both men and women) may well become the object of sexual violence. And no defilement of karma occurs in this case, since this is not prohibited by Indian customs.

An example is the recent case in New Delhi, where a 14-year-old untouchable girl was kept as a sex slave for a month by a criminal. The unfortunate woman died in the hospital, and the detained criminal was released by the court on bail.

At the same time, if an untouchable violates the traditions of his ancestors, for example, he dares to publicly use a public well, then the poor fellow will face swift reprisals on the spot.

Dalit is not a sentence of fate

The untouchable caste in India, despite government policies, still remains the poorest and most disadvantaged part of the population. The average literacy rate among them is a little over 30.

The situation is explained by the humiliation to which they are subjected in educational institutions children of this caste. As a result, illiterate Dalits constitute the bulk of the unemployed in the country.

However, there are exceptions to the rule: about 30 millionaires in the country are Dalits. Of course, this is tiny compared to the 170 million untouchables. But this fact says that Dalit is not a decree of fate.

An example is the life of Ashok Khade, who belonged to the tanner caste. The guy worked as a docker during the day and studied textbooks at night to become an engineer. His company currently closes deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

There is also the opportunity to leave the Dalit caste - this is a change of religion.

Buddhism, Christianity, Islam - any faith technically takes a person out of the untouchables. This was first used in late XIX century, and in 2007, 50 thousand people immediately accepted Buddhism.