INTRODUCTION

The Indian caste system is one of the most

sociologically interesting subjects in the world. It

has stratified Indian society for thousands of years,

and has divided and segregated it for hundreds. People

have suffered because of it, and people have risen to

unimaginable heights in spite of it. It has been a

vital and integral part of Indian society for untold

thousands of years, and as much as modern India has

tried to escape it’s grasp, it still keeps a tight hold

on the country and it’s people1.The origins of the

Indian caste system are shrouded in mystery. Though it

is frequently considered Hindu, that is not completely

true, as other religious groups in India do also follow

the caste system. And although there is one mention of

the caste system in the Vedas, or the most important1 Mortimer wheeler, the oxford history of India, oxford press, London, 1958,p.62

and ancient of the Hindu holy texts, it has been

dismissed by many scholars as a later addition that is

not an original part of the Vedas2.

ORIGIN OF CASTE SYSTEM

One theory of the origins of the caste system is that

it was created by an influx of Indo-European invaders,

primarily male, who pushed away the indigenous

population and set up the caste system, with themselves

at the top, in order to cement control over the native

peoples. According to a 2001 study, there is some

genetic differentiation between castes, with the upper

castes being most like Europeans and the lower castes

being more similar to Asians. However, the samples were

taken from one concentrated area, and so it is unknown

if the same holds true for the rest of India. Another

theory is that castes were simply formed by a

2 Idid.64

clustering of people according to jobs, and they simply

bred with each other and created specialized groups, or

jats that each performed a specific task and thus had a

certain profession in the society.

Although as mentioned earlier, the caste system was not

mentioned very often in the Vedas, with in fact only

one passage mentioning all four main groups at once3.

Later works, however, ascribe the creation of the caste

to Krishna when he supposedly created the world.

DIVISION OF CASTE SYSTEM

Historically, there was a rivalry between the Brahmins

and the Kshatriya, and although the Brahmins were said

to have won the battle and are considered the top

caste, the Kahstriya are now the more dominant caste.

Also, there is a large representation of Kahstriya in

3 R .D Bannerji, Pre historic ancient and Hindu India, Blackie and son (India) limited Bombay 1934. P. 123

the military, and there are martial arts that are

Kahstriyan in nature. Next, the Vaishya. The Vaishya

are/were the traders, merchants, land-owners, money

lenders, and businesspeople in Indian society. They are

often credited with spreading Indian culture, and are

considered the founders of Indian capitalism. After

that is the Shudra.

The Shudra are considered the laborers for the other

three castes. They are the lowest on the scale, and

although they are poor, they are not as bad off as the

last group, the dalits4. The dalits, also known as the

untouchables, are so low below the other castes that

they are not even considered part of the caste system.

They are commonly involved in such professions as

butchery, tanning leather, removing corpses, or any

other activity that is considered dirty. They are

4 Ibid. 144

considered too dirty too be touched by other Indians,

and there were at one time many attempts to segregate

them from the other classes to prevent physical

interaction. When India gained independence from

Britain in 1947, the constitution that was drafted

forbade discrimination against the dalits.

MERITS OF CASTE SYSTEM.

Caste System plays a very important role in traditional

India. It has certain merits. Following are the

important functions of Caste System in traditional

India

1) Determines social status:

As caste is based on the principle of birth, an

individual, by virtue his birth of in a particular

caste automatically becomes a member of it and gets, by

ascription, the traditional status of that caste in

society to take an example, a Brahmin occupies the

highest position in Hindu Society not because of his

extra ordinary qualities or achievements, but because

of his birth in a Brahmin caste.

2) Provides social security:

Besides the psychological security in the form of a

fixed social status, caste offers social security to

the individual from his birth to death. It provides him

with an occupation, acts as a trade union, a benefit

society, health insurance and also provides for his

funeral, if it in needed5.

3) Guides the individual’s behaviors:

Caste, like any other social institution, guides the

behaviors of the individual by providing ready made

behaviors patterns in matters like diet, ceremonial

5 Ibid 157

observances, and rituals at birth, initiation,

marriage, death etc.

4) Preserves culture:

Every society must be able to pass on its patterns of

skill, knowledge had behavior in short, its culture

from one generating to another generation, if it is to

survive as a distinct social system6. Caste system is

specially fit for such a task of handing over cultural

patterns from one preceding generation to the other

succeeding generation with little change, because craft

secrets and caste customs are zealously safeguarded and

perpetuated by the occupational castes.

5) Integrates society:

6 Wolseley Haig, the Combridge History of India(vii), the Cambridge university press, London. P. 1928.p 44

Castes System has acted as an effective means of

integrating the diverse racial, religious national and

ethnic groups into a vast variegated community. Caste

System is capable of incorporating any group be it

racial, religious, national or occupational in such a

way that it becomes a part the social whole and yet

retains its own distinctive character and identity, it

is for this reason that Furnivall has described India

as “an outstanding instance of a country”, “where” a

plural society has proved stable7.”

6) Establishes stability in society:

Caste System has also been responsible for the

stability in society. It saved Hindu Society from being

disrupted under the pressure of alien invasions,

famines and upheavals of all kinds in her long history.

Hindu society has proved stable because it is family

7 Ibid.p 63

based on Caste System, which survives even conversion

to Islam or Christianity8. For example, we have Muslim

castes like the Momin, Jolaha, Lakhani, Gaddi, etc.

7) Brings political stability in society:

Caste system has acted as a political stabiliser in the

country. It served as a constitution for the Hindus.

Abbe Doubois considers Caste System of Hindu as “the

happiest effort of their legislation”. He praises the

system “as being responsible for the preservation of

India from complete barbarism and as a sure basis of

orderly government, as decency against despotism and as

a means for preserving the arts and as a sure means for

preserving handy pattern of culture under the regime of

alien conquerors9.”

8) Serves as a device for division of labour:

8 Ibid p.759 Vincent A. Smith, The early history of India, Atlantic publishers and distributers Delhi, 1999.p. 266

Caste System has altered as a unique system of division

of labor in Hindu Society. It has made provision for

all functions ranging from education to scavenging. The

provision is made under a religious dogma namely the

belief in Karma which makes the apparently inequitable

division of labour acceptable to people. The present

position and occupation of a person in the society are

the consequences of his actions in his previous lives

and that if he performs his caste duties faithfully in

this present life, he will have a better position in

his next life.

9) Maintain the purity of blood:

It is said that Caste System has served as a method for

preserving the purity of blood. Caste System by its

insistence on endogamy prevents hybridization and

thereby maintains pure line.

DEMIRITS OF CASTE SYSTEM

1) Denies of Mobility of Labour:

Caste System opposes mobility of labour. The individual

under Caste System cannot accept any occupation

according to his sweet will. But the individual is

bound to follow, the occupation determined by Caste

System. As a result, many people carry the burden of

unsuccessfulness and pass life unhappily being

incapable of accomplishing the determined occupation.

Therefore, idleness takes place among individuals.

2) Untouchability:

Caste System has created an ugly social evil which is

known as untouchability. Due to the caste

stratification the members of untouchable caste remain,

in the lower place of social hierarchy and are

oppressed and depressed. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of

nation, says “untouchability is the hatefulness

expression of Caste System and it is a crime against

God and Man. The untouchables remaining under the grips

of Caste System are deprived of all social, religious,

economic, cultural and political rights and privileges.

3) Retards Social Solidarity:

Another dysfunction of Caste System is that it retards

social solidarity. He imposes certain restrictions on

food, drink, intercourse, occupation and selection of

mates and thereby spoils social unity, integrity and

feelings of brotherliness. There are senses like

hatred, jealousy, envy and so on existing between

higher and lower castes. As a result, the Hindu Society

is disintegrated.

4) Obstacle to social unity:

Caste System creates obstacles to the unity of the

country. The lower caste people in the society cannot

express their dissatisfaction as they are deprived of

all privileges of the society. As a result of this

social unity is disintegrated. According to Prof. G.S.

Ghurye, Caste System creates an unhealthy atmosphere

for the growth of national unit E. Schmidt opines that

one of the tragic results of Caste System is that it

opposes national consciousness.

5) Obstacle to social progress:

Another demerit of Caste System is that creates

obstacles in the path of social and economic growth to

the country. The members of the caste gradually become

conservative because they believe on the theory of

karma. As a result of conservatism, they neither give

up old customs and traditions nor accept easily any new

ideals, values and scientific inventions. Therefore,

impediments are created in social progress.

6) Oppose to Democracy:

Caste System opposes democracy, liberty, equality and

fraternity which are the fundamental themes of a

successful democracy. Democracy ensures equal right to

all irrespective of caste, religion and color. But

Caste System does not give equal rights to all members

in the society. In caste ridden society the rights of

the members are determined on the basis of social

stratification. For example, while the members of

higher caste enjoy all kinds of privileges, the lower

caste people are oppressed. As a result the fundamental

principle of democracy is spoiled.

7) Hindrance to the Development of personality:

Caste System hinders the developments of human

personality. It is because individuals follow the

occupation, which is determined by the Caste System

compulsorily. The individual cannot accept any

occupation according to his choice. But Caste System

does not determine occupation on the basis of

efficiency of the individual10. For example, though a

Shudra possesses required ability and efficiency for

fighting he cannot take part in war with the

Kshatriyas. As a result many talented persons cannot

develop their personality living under the shadow of

caste system.

8) Social Inequality:

Social inequality is a vital demerit of caste system.

As a result of social stratification, every caste

differs from each other and thereby creates social

10 R .D Bannerji, Pre historic ancient and Hindu India, delhi p.88

inequality in the society. Therefore, a sense of

superiorities and inferiority is created in social,

economic, religious and political spheres. The

distribution of various essential commodities is also

on the basis of superiority and inferiority in the

society.

The members of the higher caste gradually become rich

enjoying all kinds of privileges where as the lower

caste people become poor being deprived of all

privileges. As a result, Caste System creates a

backward class who depends upon the people of rich

community and led a life almost similar to domestic

animals.

9) Bad conditions of Women:

Caste System is an obstacle to the freedom of woman in

a male-dominated society. The condition of women is

very miserable under this system. It is because Caste

System deprives women of their educational right. The

women lead an agonising life living in between the four

walls of conservatism. Caste System encourages child

marriage and prohibits widow remarriage. There by, it

sends them to the hell of suffering.

10) Social Problems:

Lastly, caste system creates many social problems and

disintegrates the society. These problems and child

marriage, custom of dowry, casteism, poverty, suicide,

family disorganisation and so on. These problems cannot

be removed from India, unless Caste System is

abolished.

FACTORS WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNTOUCH

ABLITY.

1) Racial factor:

The fundamental causes of untouchabity are social

factors. The vector always considers him superior to

the vanquished and wants to be spared the latter’s

influence. This is no less true in the case of races.

In the opinion of some scholars the Aryans designated

to some derogatory names the non Aryan races settled in

India and considered them untouchable. In Assam the Ao

branch of the naga tribe is not allowed to wear very

ornaments on both arms.

According to Hutton this restriction has been imposed

upon the Ao people because they are different from the

other Naga clans from the viewpoint. In gunwale the

bride and bridegroom belonging to the artisan and

Harijan races, which had low social status, were not

allowed the use of the palanquin or the horse11. The11 Flora Annie steel, India through the ages, pub, Georgr Routledge and sons limited New York 1908. P. 299

cause of this has been explained by some sociologists

to be the advent of the higher castes from the plains

into the native homeland of the artisans and Harijans12.

These examples prove that racial distinctions have some

hand in the origin of the custom of untouchability Dr.

D.N. Majumdar has written correctly, “the disabilities

of the so called ‘depressed’ castes are not ceremonial

but probably founded on racial and cultural

differences.

2) Religious factors:

Religious beliefs and conventions are also causes of

untouchability. In religion much importance is

attributed to purity and divinity. As a result of the

religious importance of this purity it was considered

essential to remain proof to the people who engage in

impure occupations. In this way untouchability12 Ibid. 322

originated in the religious factor. In the words of

Dr.Ghurye ‘idea of purity, whether occupational or

ceremonial is found to have to have been a factor in

the genesis of caste or the very soul of the idea and

practice of untouchability. It was the sense of purity

which led to the sweepers and cobbler being designated

as untouchables in Hindu society. Besides purity

another cause of the origin of untouchability in the

social taboo. Intermarriage among castes, consumption

of the object of totem, or its disrespect in any way is

forbidden13.

Besides this there area number of other taboos

prevalent in the castes like avoiding washer man

because he washes clothier seeped in the secretions of

the women’s menstrual cycle. Thus in the Vol. I of

Census of India. Hutton has written, “There can be

13 Wolseley Haig, the Combridge History of India, London. 1928.p 75

little doubt that the idea of untouchability originates

in taboo.

3) Social factors:

The practice of untouchability has its origin in some

social factors as well. Social customs and conventions

shared the burden of maintaining the untouchability of

the untouchables recognised by the religious and racial

causes. Social conventions are so influential that even

the members of the untouchable castes dare not violate

the customs of untouchability14.

In the Hindu of 24th December 1932 it was written about

the puradvannon caste established in the Tinnereli

district of Madras that they are not only considered

untouchable but even un presentable and, they cannot

leave their dwelling places in the day time because

there is a fear of their defiling the other castes.14 Ibid .92

They wash there clothes at might. When Thakkar Bappa

went to meet them they came out only upon extreme

entreaty and the when they came their entire body was

trembling because they were burdened by the social

stigma of untouchability.

In this way the racial, religious and social factors

are the major ones among many causes of the origin of

untouchability. All of these have had a hand in the

custom of untouchability and it would be difficult to

remove untouchabiity as long as ignorance in these

spheres continues to exist.

Conclusion

The world if knows the India that is also because of

its uniqueness of caste system. But essential to add it

the most and bad practice of Indian people. It is the

caste system which in many place creates the gape of

inequality, legal rights become absent, the fundamental

rights look obscure, merit replaced by caste system

etc. this is what in one sense looks that India is the

world top country where merit is abuses and the talent

of the people is replaced by their caste system. This

categorically shows that caste system merits are not

vale able as its impacts deteriorate the entire

scenario at each moment. That’s why many prominent

leaders of India condemned this in every occasion.

Gandi himself was against of so called “caste system”.