Since a long time ago, we’ve classified the people into different caste systems called jati. This differentiation is based on the work they perform. This determines their privilege, power, and their wealth. There are four jatis.

• The Brahmanas are the top-most. They’re scholars or priests
• The Kshatriyas they’re soldiers or political rulers
• The Vaishyas were basically merchants
• The Shudras they’re peasants, artisans, servants, and labourers

The caste system considers Shudras and untouchables. Society treats them as unclean and assumes they’ll pollute the environment.

Jati or the caste

• The caste word came from the Portuguese or Spanish word ‘casta’ which means “breed, lineage, or race”
• Portuguese used casta within the trendy sense after they used it for the hereditary Asian social teams referred to as ‘jati’ in India
• Caste is interrelated with birth and where you’re born
• According to Parker and Anderson, “Caste is a style of the socio-economic class organization during which the people’s position within the standing hierarchy is set by birth and descent”

Theories suggesting the origin of the Indian caste system

Several theories suggest the origin of caste in India.

Traditional theory

• The traditional theory states that the class structure has a divine origin
• These four came from the body parts of the god Brahma
• Brahmins came from the head of Brahma, and this is why these are intellectuals and teachers
• Kshatriyas, the rulers or the soldiers, came from the arms of Brahma
• Then, Vaishyas from the thighs of Brahma. At last, the Shudras came from his feet
• Brahma’s mouth signifies learning, preaching, etc., arms for protection. Things for business
• And feet are to support the entire body. Thus, Shudras were meant to serve everyone. Later due to inter-caste marriages, the sub-castes came.

Political theory

• According to political theory, the brahmins invented the caste system. And it’s a clever device
• Works to put themselves on the first ladder of social hierarchy
• According to Dr Ghurye, “Caste is a Brahminic child of Indo-Aryan culture cradled in the land of the Ganges and then transferred to other parts of India”
• The concept of the spiritual merit of the king came from Brahmanas. This was to get the support of the land’s ruler.

Racial theory

• The stratification of the caste of the society with its origin within the system of Chaturvarna
• Namely Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Shudras, and Vaishyas
• Rig Veda stresses terribly about the variations between the non-Aryans and Aryans
• This difference is just not based on their colour but also on the way they speak: the way they worship and other features
• The grouping system prevailing throughout the Vedic amount principally supported the division of occupation and labour
• The categories are mentioned in rig Vedas. The Brahmans represent the poet and priest
• The Kshatriya represents the warrior and chief. Vaishya includes common people. And shudra represents the domestic servant. Shudras is only mentioned once

Indian caste system

The caste system in India includes four castes, namely.

Brahmins

• The Brahmins were regarded as the “priestly class” because they were priests and religious teachers
• The priesthood at Hindu temples or during ceremonies and rites with songs and prayers was the traditional occupation of Brahmins
• The Brahmins have the highest ritual position among the four classes, in theory. In Indian literature, the term Brahmin refers to a nice and ethical person, not merely a priest

Kshatriyas

• The Kshatriyas are a major group of Hindu castes who live primarily in India’s northern part
• Kshatra is a Sanskrit word that means “warrior.” The Rajputs, who historically formed the various royal houses of Rajasthan (ancient Rajputana) and nearby areas, are the most typical and well-known of these clans
• Kshatriyas were the ancient Hindu society’s military and governing class, who first rose through the ranks based on their guna, behaviour (karma), and natural abilities (Swabhava)
• It’s worth noting that some major personalities in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism were Kshatriyas, reflecting the group’s authority and status in ancient Indian society
• The prominent religious figures Gautama Buddha and Mahavira (as well as Lord Rama and Lord Krishna) were all members of the same family

Vaishya

• Vaishyas are the third caste in the caste structure
• Agriculture, livestock care, trade, and other economic endeavours are the primary occupations of Vaishyas
• Vaishyas were originally assigned to conventional agricultural and cattle-rearing occupations in Hindu holy texts, but with time they evolved into landlords, traders, and money-lenders
• Because they desired to be born twice, the Vaishyas also focused on religious instruction
• They shared the status of Dvjia with the higher two castes, Kshatriya and Brahmin, which means they were “born twice.” During the ceremony named Upanayanam, they achieve spiritual rebirth
• Vaishyas were significant members of society, yet they were still an inferior caste.

Shudra

• Shudras are known to be the lowest caste in the Indian caste system
• Typically, they were artisans and labourers
• The union of an upper caste and a Shudra produced a major share of this caste. Shudras were said to have existed to service the present rest classes, according to ancient writings
• A Shudra’s job was to serve the twice-born, to engage in agriculture, trade, and cattle-breeding

Conclusion

The caste is a term to divide people based on their work—a caste system of stratification.Later a person gets a caste based on their birth, which house they’re born in. it’s an ascribed status. There have been many changes in thinking and social mobility since then through urbanizations, Sanskritization, and other ways. Yet, rather than being a structural change, it’s just a position change. Even in today’s modern world, people are biased. Which surely needs a change.

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