Caste In The Past

Uniqueness: The caste system is a social institution that is distinctively associated with the Indian sub-continent. While there may be social hierarchies in other parts of the world that create similar disparities and divisions, the exact form of the caste system, as it exists in India, has not been replicated elsewhere.

Spread Beyond Hinduism: Though the caste system originated within Hindu society, it has permeated other religious communities in the region, notably Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. This means that even though these religions might not inherently endorse or promote the caste system, over time, due to the pervasive cultural and societal influences in the Indian sub-continent, elements of the caste system have been absorbed into these communities.

Etymology: The term ‘caste’ as understood in English is borrowed from the Portuguese word ‘casta’, which means “pure breed”. In Indian languages, starting from ancient Sanskrit, the caste system is described using two distinct terms: ‘varna’ and ‘jati’.

Varna: The word ‘varna’ translates to “colour”. Historically, it represented a four-tier division in the Indian society:

1.Brahmana (Brahmins): The priestly and scholarly class.

2.Kshatriya: The warrior and ruling class.

3.Vaishya: The merchant and business class.