The caste system

Do you feel that you are part of a social class?

• Working class?

• Middle class?

• Upper class?

• WHY?

• For many thousands of years there has been a social system in India called the ‘Caste’ system.

• According to this system, all people are born into a particular social class, which they will belong to for their whole lives.

• Each caste has a different role to fulfil within society • The higher the caste, the close to god people are thought to be

1) Brahmin – the priestly class If you are born into this caste, your role in life is to teach others – you would normally become a Hindu priest in order to fulfil this role

2) Kshatriyas – ruler, warrior, landowner

This Rajput landowner is harvesting his crops. He is a member of the caste Kshatriyas, which is right below the Brahmans. He is important to the community because he is the main source of food.

He also is protector.

3) Vaishya – merchants The Fruit Merchant is part of the Vaishya caste. The Vaishya caste are shopkeepers and sell products, unlike the Shudra who sell services

4) Shudra – artisans, farmers Within the caste of Shudra there are many different groups. Each one of these groups performs a service.

Their specific service is a birthright and is somewhat similar to unions in the U.S. The role that they play is respected because they deal with the cows which are considered sacred.

But that is not all...

There is another group of people, that fall below the Caste system. This group of people is explained below:

5) Untouchables / Dalits

Things that you cannot do: 1)

It would be very difficult for you to leave your Caste

2)

You cannot have any friends outside of your Caste

3)

You must never marry or see anyone outside of your Caste

4)

You would be very lucky to get a job outside of the role given to you within your Caste

5)

Watch the following; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKZxAAAiJdg

Guide to Hindu Society • Create your own leaflet for people who are moving to India and what they should expect. You need to include: • What each of the castes are • What you can and cannot do in your caste • How karma affects your caste, so explain how they should live their lives • Legal position

Plenary: Imagine you have been living in India for a while, send a text message home to tell people about the caste system in no more than 30 words.