# 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) membe