India Culture - People and Society - The Caste System

India is a subcontinent with a 5,000-year old history. India culture is united by its diversity: a country that has been invaded by armies, traders and immigrants. These have brought with them their own faiths, practices and observances all of which have been absorbed into the rich texture of India culture and life.

This has produced a multi-cultural nation with a rich diversity of languages, customs, cuisines, religions, literature and arts. Ancient India history and modern India culture co-exists side by side. India culture is a seemingly closed society that, nonetheless nurtures a great diversity of peoples and beliefs in peaceful coexistence.

India history shows a hierarchical society that is organised into four basic divisions or castes The Brahmins were priests and men of learning; the Ksatriyas rulers and warriors; Vaishyas engaged in trade and commerce and the farmers, peasants and mass of workers were Sudras.

The idea of caste is closely associated with Hindu beliefs and has its roots in ancient India history. It is the spiritual progress through the accumulation of karma and reincarnation. Caste is the division of society into rigid classes, which define one's status, occupation, and relationships.

Ancient India history suggests that the caste system was introduced into India at the time of the Aryan invasions, around 1,500 B.C. as a means of separating the conquerors from the conquered. In due course, this stratification of society was sanctioned by Hinduism, in which caste came to be associated with the level of spiritual attainment India history shows that Castes are primarily associated with Hinduism but that they also exist among other Indian religious groups.

Muslims state that they are all brothers under God--but observation of Muslim life reveals caste like groups and serious concern over social hierarchy. Among Indian Christians, too, differences in caste are acknowledged and maintained. India is a political democracy, but amongst the people there is little sign of equality and even though modern India vehemently opposes it, caste continues to play a major role in daily life.

India Culture - Caste and Family Life

Men sharing a string cot will take their places carefully--the higher-ranking man at the head, the man of lower rank at the foot. These India culture distinctions are seen clearly within families. Men are still the head of a family and are consulted on all decisions.

A wife will always serve her husband before she eats. Men outrank women and senior relatives outrank junior relatives. A daughter-in-law always shows great respect to her husband’s mother and also to any daughter of the household. Younger siblings never address an older sibling by name, but rather use the respectful terms for elder brother or elder sister.

Caste and Business Life

In business and academia, where colleagues may not openly admit these traditional observances it is usual for a younger colleague to respectfully address an older colleague as chachaji, gracefully acknowledging the superior position of the older person.

The Indian government has introduced laws to modify the caste system. Untouchability in the traditional sense has been outlawed and the lowest castes are now called “Scheduled Castes” or “Dalits” (meaning the “oppressed”).

Despite this, the caste into which a person is born continues to have a strong influence on the life he can expect to lead. Though modern India culture vehemently opposes it, caste continues to play a major role in daily life, particularly in rural areas where loyalties run high. In the urbane, sophisticated cities this is breaking down and a greater number of young people are now choosing their own life partners although most families still prefer to make alliances within their own caste as they have done throughout India history.

India Culture - Dance, Music and Art
India Culture - Purity and Pollution - The Brahman - The Sweeper - The Warrior
India Culture - Social Inter-dependence - Hierarchy - Respect - Honour

India Culture - India Culture - Dance, Music and Art
India Culture - Purity and Pollution - The Brahman - The Sweeper - The Warrior
India Culture - Social Inter-dependence - Hierarchy - Respect - Honour