Caste

Structure, Features, Caste Hierarchy and

Theories of Origin
 Concept

 For Sociologist, Caste or Jati as a hereditary,

endogamous group which is usually localized.
 It has traditional association with an occupation
and a particular position in the local hierarchy of
castes.
“Relations between castes are
governed, among other things by the concepts of
pollution and purity, and generally maximum
commensality i.e. interdining occurs within the caste”
Caste in Modern India and other Essays by M.N Srinivas
1962.
 Verna & Caste(Jati)
 Caste linked with Verna system.
 Verna Model is a creation of Manu in
‘ManuSamriti’.
 Verna Divides Indian society into 4 Parts.
 Brahmana(Traditionally, priest and
scholar)
 Kshatriya ( Ruler and Soldier)
 Vaishya ( Merchant-Trade/Bussiness)
 Shudra (Servant)
Untouchable are outside the Verna
scheme( Cleaning etc)
 Contd.
 First three verna were known as ‘twice-born’ or
‘dvija’.
 Dvija/Twice born= Two births
 First birth=physical (everyone take)
 Second birth=Spiritual one(Only first three
categories) linked with Upanayana
 Sudra were not allowed to perform upanayana.
 Verna literally means Colour.
 Originally Used for distinction between Arya and
Dasa in ancient time.
 Later original distinction between Arya and Dasa
of verna system used to describe distinction
between Arya and Sudra.
Caste and Race in India, G.S Ghurye 1932.
Aryans and Non-Aryans
 Each Verna is further divide into castes and
further into sub-castes
According to Ghurye, in
each linguistic region, there are about 200
caste groups which are further sub divided
into about 3000 smaller units.
 Each sub caste is endogamous and provides the
area of effective social life for the individual.
Thus, Verna system remains same
while castes and sub castes varies society to
society.
Definitions

Caste is a system of stratification in which

mobility up and down the status ladder, at least ideally may
not occur.
A.W Green

Caste is a closed group.

T.N Madan
 Caste is a collection of
families, bearing a common name, claiming a
common descent, from a mythical ancestor,
human and divine, professing to follow the
same hereditary calling and regarded by those
who are competent to give an opinion as
forming a single homogeneous community”
Sir Herbert Risley
 Features of Caste System
 Hierarchy
 Endogamy
 Association with a hereditary occupation
 Restrictions on food and social intercourse.
 Distinctions in custom, dress and speech
 Civil and religious disabilities and privileges of
the society.
G. S Ghurye.
 Hierarchy
 Indian Society is divided into segmental division
of caste.
 Each segment(caste) possess different culture.
 The membership of each caste is ascribed.
 These segments are arranged into a social and
ritual hierarchy i.e. Brahmins at top following by
Kahatriyas , Vaishyas and Shudras.
 Contd.
 At the last comes untouchables(who are
considered ritually more impure).
 Thus hierarchy, based on pollution and purity, is
most important feature for defining Indian caste
system.
 For instance, Shanar or Toddy tapper in Tamil
Nadu were to keep 24 paces away from a
Brahman(Ghurye)
 Endogamy
 Marriage within one’s own caste and sub-caste, is
another feature of caste system.
 Similarly, Exogamy, Marriage within Gotra is not
allowed.
 Same Gotra person considered as kins/relatives
or brother/sister
 At some places same Gotra marriage permitted
but the difference should be at least 7 or 8
generation.
 Association with a hereditary occupation

 Each caste was associated with occupation.

 Each caste was also ranked higher or lower on
the basis of the ritual purity or pollution of their
associated occupation.
 Restrictions on food and social
intercourse
 Each caste had its own caste council or panchayat.
 It was headed by elder members of that caste.
Each caste follow some
restriction concerning to food and social
intercourse i.e. interdining, intercaste marriage,
even taking to untouchables.

 Those who don’t follow, caste council, through

out that person from caste and give punishment.
 Distinctions in custom, dress and speech, food

 Kacha food and Pakka food.

 Restrictions for the use of vegetables.
 Marriage rituals, birth rituals etc
 Dressing
 Rights of speech
 Civil and religious disabilities and privileges of the society.

 It was the privilege of Brahmins of being

saluted/respected by other Vernas.
 Brahmins were given more liberty, because they
are believed to be born pure and superior.
 They never even bowed to the idols of the lower
caste people.
 Education and teaching were almost the
monopoly of Brahmins.
 Contd.
 Generally, lower caste are made to live on the
outskirts of the village, mostly west side.
 Their entry was restricted in the village before
sun set and after the sun rise.
 They were not allowed to take education.
 They were punished, if they break these rules.
 Other features
 Caste is unique to Indian society.
 It is a one form of social stratification.
 Its structure varies society to society.
 One caste is further divided into different sub
castes.
 Each sub caste carries the same functions
 Changes in the caste system
 Restrictions on food habits have been relaxed.
 Caste is not very much associated with hereditary
occupations.
 Endogamy still prevail but due to increasing
education and other reason it is abolishing day by
day.
 The special civil and religious privileges which
Brahmins enjoyed are no more being enjoyed by
them.
 Caste panchayats have become comparatively week
and disappeared in many parts.
 Demerits of caste system
 Create hostility and conflict in society.
 Against nationalism
 Effect Democracy
 It affect mobility and make society static.
 Religious conversions.
 Causes for the changes in caste
system
 Legislation
 Impact of modern education
 Industrialization, Modernization, Globalization,
Westernization
 Influence of modern transport and
communication
 Freedom struggle
 Social reform movements
 Important Concepts

 Dominant caste
 Sanskritizaiton
 Desanskritization
Dominant Caste

“A caste may be said to be

dominant when it preponderates numerically over
other castes and when it also wields preponderant
economic and political power. A large and
powerful caste group can be more easily
dominant if its position in the local caste
hierarchy is not too low.” —M.N. Srinivas
 Sanskritization

The concept given by M.N. Shriniwas

It denotes the process by
which castes placed lower in the caste hierarchy
seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals
and practices of the upper or dominant castes.
Theories of Origin of Caste System
 Racial Theory
 Sir Herbert Risley founded this theory and later Mazumdar
supported this view.
 Caste system is based on physical features of the
community.
 Caste system took place after the arrival of Aryans in
India.
 For maintaining their different identity, Indo Aryans
formed their separate group.
 They divided society into verna or on the basis of colour.
 Placed dark Colour people at lower position
 Traditional Theory

 Caste system is of divine origin.

 Vedic literature support this reason.
 The caste were created by Brahmins, the super
creator.
 Guild theory

 Denzil Ibbetson
 Castes are modified forms of guilds.
 The caste system is the product of interaction of
three forces, tribes, guilds, religion.
 Religious theory
 Hocart and Senart
 Social stratification originated on account of
religious principles and customs.
 Hocart-The priest & kings accorded different
positions to different functional groups.
 Senart- Defined caste origin on the basis of
prohibitions regarding sacramental food.
 Those who faith in same deity considered
themselves as one group and different from others.
 This created caste system.
 Occupational Theory
 Nesfield
 Occupational specialization.
 Origin of caste system can be found in the nature
and quality of work performed by various
group of people.
 The caste system was basically an expression of
functional specialization and occupational
differentiation.
 Political Theory
 Caste system is a creation of cleaver people in
society
 These were Brahmins
 The purpose of this creation is to get higher
ladder/power in society.
“Caste is a Brahmanical child of indo-Aryan culture
cradled in the land of the Ganges and thence transferred to other
part of India”.
Ghurye.
B.R Ambedkar-1948, Untouchables,
Untouchability and caste is a brainchild of Brahmins to suppress
the Buddhist influence.
Thank You!