Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ClarissaMach]

Hi! I'd like to take a doubt about the Indian culture.

I always thought that the social systems of casts was part of the Indian culture and religion since ages. But recently a friend of mine told me it as a "heritage" of the British colonialism.

Is is true?
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Stormy Weather.

[asterix]

This has nothing to do with the British except that they were unable to completely stamp it out...

In Hinduism there exists four castes arranged in a hierarchy. Anyone who does not belong to one of these castes is an outcast. The religious word for caste is 'Varna'. Each Varna has certain duties and rights. Each Varna members have to work in certain occupation which only that Varna members are allowed. Each Varna has certain type of diet. The highest Varna is of the Brahman. Members of this class are priests and the educated people of the society. The Varna after them in hierarchy is Kshatria. The members of this class are the rulers and aristocrats of the society. After them are the Vaisia. Members of this class are the landlords and businessmen of the society. After them in hierarchy are the Sudra. Members of this class are the peasants and working class of the society who work in non-polluting jobs. The caste hierarchy ends here. Below these castes are the outcasts who are untouchable to the four castes. These untouchables worked in degrading jobs like cleaning, sewage etc.

The first three castes had social and economical rights which the Sudra and the untouchables did not have. The first three castes are also seen as 'twice born'. The intention in these two births is to the natural birth and to the ceremonial entrance to the society at a much later age.

Each Varna and also the untouchables are divided into many communities. These communities are called Jat or Jati (The caste is also used instead of Jat). For example the Brahmans have Jats called Gaur, Kokanastha, Sarasvat, Iyer and others. The outcasts have Jats like Mahar, Dhed, Mala, Madiga and others. The Sudra is the largest Varna and it has the largest number of communities. Each Jat is limited to professions worthy of their Varna. Each Jat is limited to the Varna diet. Each Jat members are allowed to marry only with their Jat members. People are born into their Jat and it cannot be changed.

[ClarissaMach]

Thanks very much, h�ro galouis!
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Stormy Weather.

[asterix]

Avec mes compliments.

[Anuradha Chepur]

I wonder how asterix knows so much about the Indian caste system!

No Clarissa, the British has nothing to do with it. The idea is people are born with different abilities determined by their genes, and eventually take up jobs as per their abilities. The brahmins have intellectual abilities, the sudras have physical strength suited for labour, and so on. But yes, there is abuse in the name of caste, and the government has provisions for the uplift of people belonging to lower castes, who are given reservations in education and jobs.

[asterix]

My doctor and my pharmacist are Indian, and they are friends. We discuss our cultural differences sometimes.

[ClarissaMach]

Well, I know every people have the right to follow their cultural concepts, but I must confess that the idea of being condemned to do a determined kind of labor due to the caste to which I belong sounds very strange to me... It's nice to hear that the Indian Government is doing something to uplift the ones born in lower castes.

About Asterix, he's like a genious, isn't it? I enjoy his comments even when he's mocking me, taking the Mickey out of me....
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Stormy Weather.

[Anuradha Chepur]

Oh sure, Asterix is a true genius. I myself wouldn't be able to give an analysis as clear as he did.

[asterix]

Thanks to you both, though I am far from being a genius I am interested in the world and I love life.