Caste system in India- Meaning, Definition, Characteristics, Merits and Demerits
# Meaning of Caste
The word caste derived from the Portuguese word 'Casta' which means 'species', 'race' or 'breed'.
Caste is a system of social stratification. It involves ranking according to birth and determined one's occupation marriage and social relationships. There is a prescribed set of norms, values and sanction which govern social behavior within caste.
Caste systems are separated group of people based on their ancestry. They often restrict people to certain professions or who they can marry based upon ancestral lines.
In Bhagavad Geeta, it is clearly stated that castes shall be based on qualities and skills. However, in reality the castes are assigned according to birth.
# Definition of Caste
1. According to Majumdar and Madan:- “Caste is a closed class.”
2. According to C.H. Cooley:- “When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it a caste.”
3. According to Ketker:- “A caste is a group having two characteristics:
(a) membership is confined to birth,
(b) members are forbidden by an inexorable social law to marry outside the group.”
4. According to Martindale & Monachesi:- “A caste is an aggregate of persons who share of obligations and privileges is fixed by birth and supported by religion and magic.”
5. According to Anderson and Parker:- “Caste is that extreme form of social class organization in which the position of individuals in the status hierarchy is determined by descent and birth.”
6. According to Blunt:- “Caste is an endogamous group bearing a common name, membership of which is hereditary, imposing on its members certain restrictions in the matter of social intercourse, either following a common tradition occupation a claiming a common origin and generally regarded as forming a single homogenous community.”
7. According to Williams:- “Caste is a system in which an individual's rank and its accompanying rights and obligations is ascribed on the basis of birth into a particular group.”
# Characteristics of Caste
1. Based on birth:- The membership of caste is determined by birth. A person remains the member of the caste into which he is born and his membership does not undergo any change even if changes in his status occupation, education, wealth, etc., take place.
2. Social hierarchy:- Social hierarchy is found in caste system. Brahmin is high and sudra have the inferior position and prestige.
3. Occupation restriction and hereditary occupation:- Occupation is fixed by caste and it is hereditary. For example a blacksmith's son will always be a blacksmith.
4. Caste is endogamous:- The members of each of the many casts marries only within their own caste. Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra all marry within their respective castes.
5. Rules and regulations concerning food:- Each individual caste has its own laws which govern the food habits of its members. Generally, there are no restrictions against food, milk, butter, dry fruits etc., but kachcha food (bread, etc.) can be accepted only from member of one's own or of a higher caste.
6. Economic disparities:- The higher caste people are generally economically better off and the lower caste people work harder and yet they get little benefit that is they are poorer.
7. Religious disabilities:- There are many rituals which the lower caste are not allowed to perform. They are not allowed to study the sacred literature and are not given consecrated food until and unless the high caste members receive it.
8. Caste based discrimination:- In caste system, the higher caste are not treat well with lower caste. Hence, there is increased caste discrimination.
9. It is closed group:- Closed group means where vertical mobility is not possible.
# Merits OR Advantages of Caste
(1) Unity in diversity:- Caste has achieved a graded racial and cultural harmony in India. There are different cultures, religions and sub-divided caste groups. Therefore, it is called unity in diversity among people.
(2) Co-operation within caste:- Caste system fastened cooperation with each castes. They cooperated with each other to preserve their culture and identity.
(3) Division of labor:- Caste system required each individual to do the work prescribed for his caste that is Brahmins job was to teach, Kshatriyas to fight war, Vaishyas to run trade and Sudras to serve other castes. This division of labor ensured smooth functioning of society.
(4) Economic security:- Caste system has given economic security by guaranteeing different types and fixed type of occupations for every man and social group.
(5) Preserve culture:- Caste systems help in preservation of culture and these were passed on from one generation to another.
# Demerits OR Disadvantages of Caste
(1) Hindrance of national unity:- Caste system is against national unity. The higher castes are not feel that they are in nation.
(2) Undemocratic:- The caste system denies equal rights to all irrespective of their caste, creed or colour.
(3) Caste- based discrimination:- In caste system, the higher caste are not treat well with lower castes. Hence, this increased caste discrimination.
(4) Denies mobility of labor:- By restricting change of occupation, it denies mobility of labor and consequently leads to stagnation.
(5) Wrong occupation:- An individual may not be skilled or interested in his caste trade but may be talented and capable of some other pursuit which by caste convention may be prohibited.
(6) Untouchability:- The worst consequence of the caste system is the plight of the untouchables who are stunned, despised and prevented from social intercourse with higher caste groups.
# Conclusion
Now, we can conclude that the caste system in India is regarded as a social evil that led to the downfall of the society. It led to the prevalence of inequality whereby the upper class were subjected to pleasures and opportunities and the lower classes were subjected to resentment and humility. Gandhi, the father of our nation, regarded the lower castes or untouchables as Harijans or the man of God. The Indian Constitution banned the practice of untouchability and established special quotas as the reserved category in the schools, colleges, employment sectors and the parliament. In the present day, caste discrimination is no longer a prioritized in getting access to education and other privileged opportunities. Despite India being independent, the caste system is still prevalent in some remote regions of the country.
Watch video on YouTube
