Difference between caste and race .
Difference between caste and race .
What are the differences between caste and race ?
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Difference between caste and race .
In the Vedic society, the existence of a small number of communities centered around a few castes was observed. Over time, many and different communities with different professions were associated with it. These communities are new castes. Therefore, there is a connection between caste and race. Nevertheless, in the context of history and in the practical situation, a differential discussion between caste and race is necessary. The differences between caste and race system are as follows:-
(1) According to the opinion of many sociologists, the race system is a transformed form of the caste system. Race was created much later in the evolution of human society. Division of labor is said to be the main element in the development of caste. Apart from this element, the existence of other elements behind the development of caste is undeniable.
(2) Castes are few in number, but races are numerous. There are only four casts, but countless races. The number of casts recognized in the caste system is only four. But it is somehow impossible to say specifically the number of races. There are countless races within each caste. It is said that the number of races in the Brahmin caste alone is several hundred. The total number of races throughout India is more than three thousand. These castes are included in different races.
(3) According to the opinion of many, it is not possible to discuss the three thousand races of different professions with the help of four varnas. It is necessary to be properly informed about the origin, power and importance of the races. In this regard, the caste system is not insignificant.
(4) Untouchability did not penetrate the caste system. The castes are not closed groups. Here social mobility is possible and recognized. There was a possibility of ascending and descending from one caste to another. On the other hand, in the case of race system, the social role and status of the members are assigned. Naturally, social mobility is relatively less in the caste system.
(5) Caste is a class-based concept. On the other hand, race is a concept of various professions . It is a concept of a community.
(6) Religion is the main structural force of caste. Even in the initial stage of caste creation, the role of religion is undeniable. But over time, the structural characteristics of caste become hereditary.
(7) The caste system is used to classify society. Multiple races with roughly the same status are included in a caste. The correct position of a race in the hierarchy of social status is determined or identified through the caste system. That is, caste is the criterion that indicates the position of castes in Hindu society.
(8) According to sociologist Hsu, caste is only a conceptual structure for the entire Hindu society. On the other hand, race is a description of the real state of Hindu society.
(9) The caste system is active on a pan-Indian basis. But race is deeply related to regionalism. For this reason, it is not possible to get a scientific idea about the race system in the context of the caste system.
(10) According to Andre Bateille, caste is a conceptual project or a model. On the other hand, race refers to some real social groups or classes. According to Professor Yogendra Singh, in reality caste is a real class and race is a cultural structure.
(11) In the caste system, the first caste is Brahmin and the fourth caste is Shudra. There is no difficulty in including caste in this caste. The second caste in the caste system is Kshatriya, the third caste is Vaishya. Difficulty and confusion arise in including caste in these two intermediate castes. Because a caste is considered as Vaishya caste in one region; the same caste claims the status of Kshatriya in another region.
(12) The caste system is considered more useful than the race system in the analysis of the social stratification of India or in related sociological research. The attempt to analyze the Indian social system through the caste system is bound to be incomplete. Because the untouchables are not included in the four castes in the caste system.
(13) In the Indian social system, the importance and significance of the caste system is greater than that of the race system in the management and execution of daily activities. The role of caste as a social group in the field of work in Indian public life is active and direct. On the other hand, the role of race is particularly remote and indirect in nature.
(14) Finally, according to the sociologist J.H. Horton, caste cannot be considered as caste in any way at present. Caste can be considered as a group of some races.
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