The existence of the caste system is history. Castes in modern India

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 the caste and not violating prohibitions, a person in the next life will move to a higher 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 them
the number is 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 by social origin, 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 Untouchables

- this is a special name for some castes that occupy the lowest position in modern India (moreover, this is as much as 16% of the total population of the country).

The untouchables are not included in the four Indian varnas, but are, as it were, outside this system, and even outside society as a whole. They do the dirtiest work - cleaning toilets, dead animals, etc.

Members of this caste group are believed to be capable of insulting other varnas, especially Brahmins. For a long time even temples remained closed to untouchables.

Indian society is divided into classes called castes. This division occurred many thousands of years ago and continues to this day. Hindus believe that by following the rules established in your caste, in your next life you can be born as a representative of a slightly higher and more revered caste, occupy a much higher position. better position in society.

History of the origin of the caste system

The Indian Vedas tell us that even the ancient Aryan peoples living on the territory of modern India approximately one and a half thousand years BC already had a society divided into classes.

Much later, these social strata began to be called varnas(from the word “color” in Sanskrit - according to the color of the clothes worn). Another version of the name varna is caste, which comes from the Latin word.

Initially, in Ancient India there were 4 castes (varnas):

• brahmanas - priests;
• kshatriyas—warriors;
• vaisya—working people;
• Shudras are laborers and servants.

This division into castes appeared due to different levels of wealth: the rich wanted to be surrounded only by people like themselves, successful people and disdained to communicate with the poorer and uneducated.

Mahatma Gandhi preached the fight against caste inequality. with his biography, he is truly a man with a great soul!

Castes in modern India

Today, Indian castes have become even more structured, with many various subgroups called jatis.

During the last census of representatives of various castes, there were more than 3 thousand jatis. True, this census took place more than 80 years ago.

Many foreigners consider the caste system to be a relic of the past and believe that the caste system no longer works in modern India. In fact, everything is completely different. Even the Indian government could not come to terms unanimous opinion regarding such stratification of society. Politicians actively work on dividing society into layers during elections, adding protection of the rights of a particular caste to their election promises.

In modern India more than 20 percent of the population belongs to the untouchable caste: they have to live in their own separate ghettos or below the line settlement. Such people are not allowed to enter stores, government and medical institutions, or even use public transport.

The untouchable caste has a completely unique subgroup: society’s attitude towards it is quite contradictory. This includes homosexuals, transvestites and eunuchs, making a living through prostitution and asking tourists for coins. But what a paradox: the presence of such a person at the holiday is considered a very good sign.

Another amazing untouchable podcast - pariah. These are people completely expelled from society - marginalized. Previously, one could become a pariah even by touching such a person, but now the situation has changed a little: one becomes a pariah either by being born from an intercaste marriage, or from pariah parents.

Conclusion

Caste system originated thousands of years ago, but still continues to live and develop in Indian society.

Varnas (castes) are divided into subcastes - jati. There are 4 varnas and many jatis.

In India there are societies of people who do not belong to any caste. This - expelled people.

The caste system gives people the opportunity to be with their own kind, provides support from fellow humans and clear rules of life and behavior. This is a natural regulation of society, existing in parallel with the laws of India.

Four Indian Varnas

Varnas and castes in our time

One and a half thousand years BC, Indian society was divided into 4 classes. They were called varnas. From Sanskrit it is translated as “color”, “quality” or “category”. According to the Rig Veda, varnas or castes emerged from the body of God Brahma.

In ancient India there were originally the following castes (varnas):

• Brahmins;
• Kshatriyas;
• Vaishya;
• Shudras.

According to legend, Brahma created 4 castes from parts of his body

The emergence of castes in ancient India

There are many reasons for the emergence of varnas or the so-called Indian castes. For example, the Aryans (not to be confused with the pseudoscientific “Aryans”), having conquered Indian land, decided to divide the local people according to skin color, origin and financial status. This simplified social relationships and created winning conditions for government. The Aryans obviously elevated themselves to a higher caste and took only Brahmin girls as wives.

A more detailed table of Indian castes with rights and responsibilities

Caste, Varna and Jati - what is the difference?

Most people confuse the concepts of “caste” and “varna”; many consider them synonymous. But this is not the case, and it needs to be dealt with.

Every Indian, without the right to choose, was born in a closed group - in varna. They are sometimes called the Indian caste. However, caste in India is a subgroup, a stratification in each varna, so there are countless castes today. Only in 1931, according to the census, data on 3,000 Indian castes were published. And varna is always 4.

In fact, there are more than 3000 castes in India, and there are always four varnas

Jati is the second name of caste and sub-caste, and every resident of India has a jati. Jati - belonging to a particular profession, to a religious community, it is also closed and endogamous. Each varna has its own jatis.

You can draw a primitive analogy with our society. For example, there are children of rich parents. This is varna. They study in separate kindergartens, schools and universities, and communicate mainly with each other. These children, growing into teenagers, are divided into subcultures. Some become hipsters, some become “elite” entrepreneurs, others become creative intellectuals, and some become free travelers. This is jati or caste.

Castes in India can be divided by religion, profession and even interests

They can be divided by interests, by chosen professions. However, oddly enough, people of this varna rarely “mix” with other, lower varnas and even castes, and always strive to communicate with those who are higher than them.

Four Indian Varnas

Brahmins- the highest varna or caste in India. It included priests, clergy, sages, teachers, spiritual guides and those people who connected other people with God. Brahmins were vegetarians and could only eat food prepared by people of their castes.

Brahmins are the highest and most respected caste in India

Kshatriyas- This Indian caste or varna of warriors, defenders of their country, combatants, soldiers and, surprisingly, kings and rulers. Kshatriyas were the protectors of brahmanas, women, old people, children and cows. They were allowed to kill those who did not observe the dharma.

The most prominent representatives of the Kshatriya warrior caste are the Sikhs

Vaishya- these are free community members, traders, artisans, farmers, the working class. They did not like to do hard physical labor and were extremely scrupulous about food. Among them could be very wealthy and wealthy people - owners of enterprises and lands.

The Vaishya caste is often rich merchants and landowners who do not like hard menial work

Shudras- the lowest varna or caste of India. It included servants, laborers and laborers. All those who had neither home nor land, and performed the most difficult physical work. Shudras did not have the right to pray to the gods and become “twice-born”.

Shudras are the lowest caste in India. They live poorly and work very hard

The religious ceremony that was performed by the three upper varnas or castes of India was called “upanayana”. During the process of initiation, a consecrated thread corresponding to his varna was placed around the boy's neck, and from then on he became “dvija” or “twice-born”. He received a new name and was considered a brahmachari - a student.

Each caste has its own rituals and initiations

Hindus believe that living a righteous life allows one to be born into a higher caste in the next life. And vice versa. And the brahmins, who have already gone through a large cycle of rebirths on Earth, will be incarnated on other, divine planets.

The untouchable caste - myth and reality

Special attention should be paid to the untouchables. The existence of 5 Indian castes is a myth. In fact, untouchables are those people who did not fall into the 4 varnas for some reason. According to Hinduism, they led an impious life in their previous rebirth. The “caste” of untouchables in India is most often homeless, poor people who carry out the most humiliating and dirty work. They beg and steal. They defile the Indian Brahman caste with their presence.

This is how the untouchable caste lives in India today

The Government of India protects the untouchables to some extent. It is a criminal offense to call such people untouchables or even out-caste. Discrimination on social grounds is prohibited.

Varnas and castes in India today

What castes are there in India today? - you ask. And there are thousands of castes in India. Some of them are few in number, but there are also castes known throughout the country. For example, hijras. This is the Indian untouchable caste, in India it includes transgenders, transsexuals, bisexuals, hermaphrodites, intersex people and homosexuals. Their processions can be seen on the streets of cities and towns, where they make offerings to the Mother Goddess. Thanks to numerous protests, the Indian hijra caste achieved official recognition of itself as a “third gender”.

People with non-traditional sexual orientation (Hijras) in India also belong to the untouchable caste

Varnas and castes in India in our time are considered some kind of relic of the past, but in vain - the system remains. IN big cities The borders are somewhat blurred, but in the villages the old way of life is still preserved. According to the Indian Constitution, discrimination against people based on varna or caste is prohibited. There is even a Constitutional Table of Castes, in which, by the way, the term “community” is used instead of “Indian caste”. It states that every citizen of India has the right to receive an appropriate document that indicates their caste membership.

In India, anyone can obtain a caste document

So, the caste system in India has not only survived and survived to this day, it still works to this day. Moreover, other peoples are also divided into varnas and castes, they simply do not allow this social division titles.

Portal "Hinduism"

Castes(Port. casta, from Latin castus - pure; Sanskrit jati)

In the broadest sense of the word - closed groups (clans) of people, isolated due to the fulfillment of specific social functions, hereditary occupations, professions, level of wealth, cultural traditions And so on. For example, - officer castes (within military units they are separated from soldiers), members political parties(separated from members of competing political parties), religious and also non-integrated national minorities (separated due to adherence to a different culture), castes of football fans (separated from fans of other clubs), patients with leprosy (separated from healthy people due to illness).

According to some experts, a union of tribes and race can be considered a caste. Trade, priestly, religious, corporate and other castes are known.

The phenomenon of caste society is observed everywhere to one degree or another, but, as a rule, the term “caste” is erroneously applied primarily to the oldest division of living beings existing in the Indian subcontinent. varnas. This confusion of the term “caste” and the term “varna” is incorrect, since there are only four varnas, and castes ( jati), even within each varna, there can be many.

Hierarchy of castes in medieval India: the highest - priestly and military-agricultural castes - constituted the class of large and medium-sized feudal lords; below are the trading and usurious castes; then the landowning castes of small feudal lords and farmers - full-fledged community members; even lower - a huge number of castes of landless and disadvantaged farmers, artisans and servants; Among the latter, the lowest layer is the powerless and most oppressed untouchable castes.

Against caste discrimination Indian leader M.K. Gandhi fought, which is reflected in the religious-philosophical and socio-political doctrine of Gandhism. Ambedkar came up with even more radical egalitarian ideas, who sharply criticized Gandhi for moderation on the issue of caste.

Story

Varna

Of the most early works It is known from Sanskrit literature that the peoples who spoke Aryan dialects during the period of the initial settlement of India (approximately from 1500 to 1200 BC) were already divided into four main classes, later called “varnas" (Sanskrit “color”): Brahmans (priests ), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders, herders and farmers) and Shudras (servants and laborers).

During early Middle Ages Varnas, although preserved, are divided into numerous castes (jatis), which even more strictly consolidated class affiliation.

Hindus believe in reincarnation and believe that whoever follows the rules of his caste future life rises by birth to a higher caste, the one who violates these rules will lose social status.

Researchers from the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Utah took blood samples from various castes and compared them with a genetic database of Africans, Europeans and Asians. A comparative genetic analysis on the maternal and paternal lines, carried out on five hereditary characteristics, made it possible to reasonably assert that people of higher castes are clearly closer to Europeans, and lower castes - to Asians. Among the lower castes, mainly those peoples of India are represented who inhabited it before the Aryan invasion - speakers of Dravidian languages, Munda languages, Andamanese languages. Genetic mixing between castes is due to the fact that sexual violence against lower castes, as well as the use of prostitutes from lower castes, were not considered violations of caste purity.

Stability of castes

Throughout Indian history the caste structure showed remarkable stability before changes. Even the rise of Buddhism and its adoption as the state religion by Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC) did not affect the system of hereditary groups. Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism as a doctrine does not support caste division, but at the same time it does not insist on the complete abolition of caste differences.

During the rise of Hinduism, which followed the decline of Buddhism, from a simple, uncomplicated system of four varnas arose a complex multi-layered system that built strict order alternation and correlation of different social groups. Each varna defined in the course of this process the framework for many independent endogamous castes (jatis). Neither the Muslim invasion, which ended with the formation of the Mughal Empire, nor the establishment of British rule shook the fundamental foundations of the caste organization of society.

Nature of castes

As the organizing basis of society, caste is characteristic of all Hindu India, but there are very few castes that are found everywhere. Each geographical region has its own, separate and independent ladder of strictly ranked castes, for many of them there is no equivalent in neighboring territories. The exception to this regional rule is the number of Brahmin castes, which are represented over vast areas and everywhere occupy the highest position in the caste system. IN ancient times the meaning of castes came down to the concepts of different degrees of enlightenment, that is, at what stage the enlightened one is, what was not inherited. Transitions from caste to caste, in fact, occurred only under the supervision of elders (other enlightened ones from the highest caste), and marriages were also concluded. The concept of castes related only to the spiritual side and therefore the higher was not allowed to converge with the lower, in order to avoid transition to a lower stage.

Castes in modern India

Indian castes are literally countless. Since each named caste is divided into many sub-castes, it is impossible to even approximately calculate the number of social units possessing the minimum necessary characteristics of jati. The official tendency to downplay the importance of the caste system has led to the disappearance of the corresponding column in the once-a-decade population censuses. IN last time information about the number of castes was published in 1931 (3000 castes). But this figure does not necessarily include all local podcasts that operate as independent social groups.

It is widely believed that in the modern Indian state castes have lost their former meaning. However, developments have shown that this is far from the case. The position taken by the INC and the Government of India after Gandhi's death is controversial. Moreover, universal suffrage and the need politicians in the support of the electorate they gave new importance to esprit de corps and internal cohesion of the castes. As a consequence, caste interests became an important factor during election campaigns.

Preservation of the caste system in other religions of India

Social inertia has led to the fact that stratification into castes exists among Indian Christians and Muslims, although it is an anomaly from the point of view of the Bible and the Koran. Christian and Muslim castes have a number of differences from the classical Indian system; they even have some social mobility, that is, the opportunity to move from one caste to another. In Buddhism, castes do not exist (therefore, Indian “untouchables” are especially willing to convert to Buddhism), however, a relic of Indian traditions can be considered what in Buddhist society has great importance social identification of the interlocutor. In addition, although Buddhists themselves do not recognize castes, speakers of other Indian religions can often easily determine what caste their Buddhist interlocutor comes from and treat him accordingly. Indian legislation provides a number of social guarantees for “disadvantaged castes” among Sikhs, Muslims and Buddhists, but does not provide such guarantees for Christians - representatives of the same castes.

see also

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The caste system in India is a social hierarchy that divides the entire population of the country into distinct groups of both low and high origin. Such a system presents various rules and prohibitions.

Main types of castes

Types of castes come from 4 varnas (which means genus, species), according to which the entire population was divided. The division of society into varnas was based on the fact that people cannot be the same; there is a certain hierarchy, since each person has his own path in life.

The highest varna was varna brahmins, that is, priests, teachers, scientists, mentors. The second in rank is the kshatriya varna, which means rulers, nobility, and warriors. Next varna Vaishyas These included cattle breeders, farmers, and traders. The last varna sudra consisted of servants and dependent people.

The first three varnas and sudras had a clear, even sharp boundary between themselves. The highest varna is also called “dvija”, which means twice-born. Ancient Indians believed that when people were born a second time, an initiation ceremony took place and a sacred thread was tied onto them.

The main goal of the brahmans was that they had to teach others and learn themselves, bring gifts to the gods, and perform sacrifices. The main color is white.

Kshatriyas

The task of the kshatriyas is to protect the people and also to study. Their color is red.

Vaishya

The main responsibility of Vaishyas is cultivating land, raising livestock and other socially respected work. Yellow color.

Shudras

The purpose of the sudras is to serve the three highest varnas, to engage in heavy physical work. They did not have their own quest and could not pray to the gods. Their color is black.

These people were outside the castes. Most often they lived in villages and could only do the hardest work.

Over the centuries, the social structure and India itself have changed significantly. As a result, the number of public groups increased from four to several thousand. The lowest caste was the most numerous. Of the total population, it included approximately 40 percent of the residents. The upper caste was small, comprising about 8 percent of the population. The middle caste was approximately 22 percent and the untouchables were 17 percent.

Members of some castes may be scattered throughout the country, while others, for example, live in one area. But in any case, representatives of each caste live separately and isolated from each other.

Castes in India can be easily identified based on numerous characteristics. People have different types, the manner of wearing them, the presence or absence of certain relationships, marks on the forehead, hairstyle, type of housing, food consumed, dishes and their names. It is almost impossible to pose as a member of another caste.

What helps keep the principles of caste hierarchy and isolation unchanged for so many centuries? Of course, it has its own system of prohibitions and rules. This system controls social, everyday and religious relations. Some rules are unchangeable and eternal, while others are changeable and secondary. For example, every Hindu from birth to death will belong to his caste. The only exception can be his expulsion from the caste due to violation of laws. No one has the right to choose caste according to at will or move to another caste. It is forbidden to marry a person from outside your caste only if the husband belongs to a higher varna than his wife. The opposite is categorically unacceptable.

In addition to the untouchables, there are also Indian hermits, who are called sannyasins. Caste rules do not affect them in any way. Each caste has its own type of occupation, that is, some are engaged only in agriculture, others in trade, others in weaving, etc. The customs of the caste must be strictly observed and executed. For example, upper caste may not accept food or drink from a lower caste, otherwise it will be considered ritual pollution.

This entire system of hierarchy of social strata of the population is based on a powerful foundation of ancient institutions. In accordance with them, it is believed that a person belongs to one or another caste due to the fact that he performed all the caste duties in his role poorly or well. past life. As a result of this, a Hindu must undergo births and deaths, which are influenced by previously received karma. Previously, movements had been created that rejected these divisions.

Caste system of modern India

Every year in modern India, caste restrictions and the strictness of their observance are gradually weakening. Not all prohibitions and rules require strict and zealous observance. By appearance It is already difficult to determine which caste a person belongs to, with the exception, perhaps, of the Brahmins, whom you can see in temples or, if you go to. Only the caste rules regarding marriage are completely unchanged and will not be relaxed. Also today in India there is a struggle against the caste system. To achieve this, special benefits are established for those who are officially registered as representatives of a lower caste. Discrimination based on caste is prohibited by Indian law and can be punishable as a criminal offence. But still, the old system is firmly rooted in the country, and the fight against it is not as successful as many would like.