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Student Pages

The Caste System (this page is incomplete)

Three questions this page should answer (once it's completed): What are the different castes? How is life different in different castes? How has the caste system changed?

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The above video is a good summary of the caste system.

The caste system is a social classification system in India. Its rules are strict. You are born into your caste and cannot change out of it. Above is a diagram of India's basic castes (there are thousands of sub-castes).

 Brahmins- The caste system is closely linked to religion. Brahmins are the highest caste, and are the closest to moksha, union with brahman (all-powerful, spiritual force). Brahmins are considered pure, and have many rules. A few sentences on their rules for eating, taken from www.csuchico.edu "A Brahmin eats alone or in a small "pure" square. He must bathe, and his torso is bare. Usually an image of a deity is brought to the kitchen for offerings before eating can be started. If a Brahmin sees an impure woman, child, or person of a lower caste, food is then considered not edible (139)." They cannot eat onions, garlic, or tomatoes.  Kshatriyas-



 Vaisyas-



 Sudras-



 The Untouchables-



__How the caste system has changed: __ While the caste system has been outlawed, it is far from gone. Now everyone has the right to vote. Untouchables are banned. The caste system has gone on for centuries, but its central idea is against human rights. There are riots for and against it, and though it is technically illegal, it still exists. Dalits are still discriminated against, but now they have the right to protest.

For more information go to http://www.photius.com/countries/india/society/india_society_changes_in_the_caste~107.html.

 Amazing comments from amazing people:

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by Sulaiman This page looks very interesting,can you add more information about the castes?