The Origin of the Caste System
The Aryans from the European continent and North Asian areas migrated to the northern part of India around 1500-2000 B.C. They introduced a division system to the Indians based on the type of work they did. The priests or worshippers belonged to the highest rank. This made sense during this era when Gods or supreme powers were respected largely, and science had yet to enter the scene. The next category was Kshatriya, those who were warriors. The third class consisted of merchants or tradesmen, craftsmen (the engineers who are looked up to in today’s society), and farmers- Vaishyas. Then, there were simple workers who were below Brahmins and Kshatriyas known as Sudras. Apart from these main four categories, there was a fifth class, which is not that prevalent now: the untouchables, who cleaned roads, dirty places and were frowned upon.
Continuation of the Caste System
It was typical for people to follow the same profession as their fathers. Thus the caste system gradually transformed into a hereditary system, rather than something based on profession alone. The system, which was prevalent for centuries, resulted in the oppression of lower castes by the more privileged, higher caste people. The system was structured like a chain(a>>b>>c>>d), which made it difficult to stand up against it. The caste, or varna, system was bolstered under the British Raj, who appointed only upper-caste Hindus to senior positions and administrative jobs. The reason for this was very simple: in order to rule over India without infuriating the natives, they didn’t want to interfere with the social hierarchy of the country. An added benefit was that the caste system helped them to ensure that no major revolts would take place.
Change in the Situation
The lower caste citizens began imitating the lifestyle and habits of higher caste people in order to get a better standing in society. This process is also known as Sanskritisation. As the modern education system progressed, people started choosing their professions according to payment and career choices. The caste system’s strict restrictions slowly began to dissipate. In fact, in the mid-1900s, many raised their voices against discrimination on the basis of caste. Dr. B R Ambedkar wrote the Indian Constitution in such a way that regardless of caste or varna, people would receive equal treatment. Workplace discrimination largely stopped, but the egoistic and backward mentality has never completely ceased to exist.
The Current Situation
The caste system is why lower-caste applicants now get the privilege of reserved seats, and a higher bar is required to cross the entry for other general applicants. However, many students feel that this is extremely unfair. Not every lower-caste person is poor. Some can afford a lavish or comfortable lifestyle. They weren’t on equal grounds from the beginning, but the situation has surely changed for the better in the recent few decades. Despite these changes, there are still remaining signs of the caste system: temples and religious places where Dalits are restricted to enter, denial of inter-caste marriages. Until we, Gen Z, stand against such a pointless and illogical system, neither the economy nor the reservation system of India is going to change. This is how a simple superstitious mindset can negatively impact society.
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