Definition and features of caste system :-
What is caste system. Discuss the features of caste system.
Definition and features of Caste System
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Concept and definition of caste system :-
The caste system is a custom or social institution that has been in Indian Hindu society since ancient times. This system is determined by birth and all kinds of status are assigned to it. In this context, Professor MN Srinivas has explained the concept of ''concept of work'' and ''concept of religion''. Srinivas believes that the caste system originated in India based on these two concepts. The Portuguese were the first to use the word Caste to explain the caste system in India. The word Caste is derived from the Spanish word Casta. It means caste or clan.
Majumdar and Madan: - Caste is a closed, intermarriage and hereditary group.
Professor N.K. Dutta: Caste system is a hierarchical division determined by birth and a person has to spend his life in the same caste.
C.H. Cooley: When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary we may call it a caste.
Andre Bete: Caste is a system. Within this system, there are groups of people known by different names. Each group follows intermarriage customs, hereditary membership, etc.
MacIver and Page: A person is born into some pre-determined status group and there is no possibility of changing this status. This status group is called caste.
Arnold Green: Caste is a social hierarchy - in which there is no mobility of the status ladder.
M.N. Srinivas: The caste system is all-India and in it status is determined by birth.
Features of Caste System:-
Professor G.S. Ghure has discussed the features of caste system in three books. These three books are - (i) Caste and class in India, (ii) Caste, class and occupation, (iii) Caste and Race in India. The features of caste system are -
1. Hereditary:- Caste membership is assigned hereditary. Therefore, caste system is based on birth. There is no hope of changing this status assigned based on birth. Even if a person's class status changes, his caste status does not change in any way.
2. Endogamy:- Endogamy is prevalent in the caste system. Here, along with caste, considerable importance is also given to the issues of swagotra, swapinda - etc. The essence of this system is the custom of marriage within the same caste. However, although the issue of marriage within one's own caste is not so prominent today, its existence has not completely disappeared. Even now, the marriage of a Brahmin is considered appropriate only in a Brahmin family.
3. Lack of social mobility: - The issue of social mobility cannot be observed in the caste system. A person is born into a caste group and has to carry that assigned status throughout his life. Therefore, the relationship of a person with his caste lasts until death. Even if a person can change his social status through his qualifications, education, etc., he cannot change his caste status.
4. Hierarchical division: - In the caste system, the issue of hierarchal division can be observed. Brahmins are at the top of this status ladder and Shudras are at the bottom. However, apart from Shudras, all the caste groups that are outside the caste are at the bottom of the status ladder. They are known as untouchables or Harijans.
5. Different caste rules and customs:- Every caste has its own customs and rules. People belonging to caste groups are especially conscious of preserving these rules and customs. These rules and regulations are most evident in the case of marriage, family functions, etc. However, currently caste rules are being relaxed.
6. Restrictions on food habits:- Different castes have certain restrictions on food habits. For example, Brahmins in North India can only eat food prepared with ghee from people of other castes. But anyone can eat food prepared by Brahmins. Although this rule has lost its effectiveness today, its existence is still present.
7. Vocational division:- Most castes are vocationally based. In most cases, the profession of this vocationally based caste is hereditary. For example, the work of Brahmins is worship, study of knowledge. The work of Kshatriyas is governance and defense of the country. The work of Vaishyas is production. The work of the Shudras is to provide services to the above three classes. However, at present the influence of this professional category in society is very small. Along with profession, the strictness of lineage is also gradually decreasing.
8. Caste-indicating titles: - The caste of a particular person can be identified on the basis of a specific title. For example, Chakraborty, Bhattacharya, Banerjee, Mukherjee - etc. titles are associated with Brahmins. Again, Sengupta, Dasgupta - etc. titles are caste-indicating for the priests. Again, profession-indicating titles are observed among different castes. For example - Karmakar, Banik, Gopa - etc.
9. Caste privileges and authority of particular castes: - The issue of special privileges and authority of particular castes is noticeable in Indian society. For example, for a long time, Brahmins have enjoyed all the privileges of society as the best caste. Even today, their social status as the best caste has not been damaged. Kshatriyas have got the right to rule and manage the country as a result of their caste status.
10. Caste Panchayat: - There was a kind of organization called Caste Panchayat to see whether each caste was behaving in its specific manner and whether the imposed rules were being followed. There was a provision of punishment by the Caste Panchayat if the imposed rules were violated.
11. Imposed Status: - The status that a person gets in his caste system is of an imposed nature. This system is determined by birth and this status cannot be changed in any way or moved up the status ladder.
12. Consanguinity:- According to this system, upper caste people will only associate with people of their own caste and eat rice. Upper caste Brahmins will never eat rice with people of lower caste.
13. Social and religious disability of certain castes:- In India, people belonging to certain castes were considered impure and unclean. Therefore, they were not recognized with any power and rights in social and religious matters. For example, during the Peshwa rule, Mahars and Mangs could not enter the Poona Gate before 9 am and after 3 pm. Also, Harijans could not enter temples, schools, etc. for a long time.
14. Social control:- Professor Dubey has talked about the role of caste system in social control. In different regions of India, people belonging to different ethnic groups used to live their lives according to their own customs, rules and regulations. The caste system played an important role in solving various problems and disputes of people and in social control.
Finally, it can be said that although the influence of the caste system has gradually weakened in present-day India, its influence is still present in some cases. However, in determining social status, the skills, qualifications of a person are much more relevant than the caste system.
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