Any traveler who decides to visit India has probably heard or read that the population of this country is divided into castes. There is nothing like this in other countries; castes are considered a purely Indian phenomenon, so every tourist simply needs to get acquainted with this topic in more detail.
How did castes appear?
According to legend, the god Brahma created varnas from parts of his body:
- Mouths are brahmins.
- Hands are kshatriyas.
- Hips are vaishyas.
- The feet are sudras.
Varnas are a more general concept. There are only 4 of them, while there can be a great many castes. All Indian classes differed from each other in a number of features: they had their own duties, homes, individual color of clothing, the color of the dot on the forehead and special food. Marriages between members of different varnas and castes were strictly prohibited. Hindus believed that the human soul is reborn. If someone has followed all the rules and laws of his caste throughout his life, in his next life he will rise to a higher class. Otherwise he will lose everything he had.
A little history
It is believed that the first castes in India appeared at the very beginning of the formation of the state. This happened about one and a half thousand years BC, when the first settlers began to live on the territory of modern India. They were divided into 4 classes, later these groups were called varnas, which literally means “color”. The word “caste” itself contains a certain concept: origin or pure breed. Each caste over the centuries was determined mainly by profession or type of activity. The family craft passed from father to son and remained unchanged for dozens of generations. Any Indian castes lived under a certain set of regulations and religious traditions that regulated the norms of behavior of their members. The country developed, and along with it the number of different population groups increased. The multiple castes in India were amazing in their numbers: there were more than 2000 of them.
Caste divisions in India
Caste is a certain level in the social hierarchy that divides the entire population of India into separate groups of low and high birth. Belonging to one or another part determines the type of activity, profession, place of residence, as well as who a person can marry. The division into castes in India is gradually losing its significance. In modern major cities and in the educated environment, division into castes is officially prohibited, but there are still classes that largely determine the life of entire groups of the Indian population:
- Brahmins are the most educated group: priests, mentors, teachers and scholars.
- Kshatriyas are warriors, nobles and rulers.
- Vaishyas are artisans, cattle breeders and farmers.
- Shudras are workers, servants.
There is also a fifth group representing the Indian castes - the untouchables, who in Lately began to be called oppressed. These people do the hardest and dirtiest work.
Characteristics of castes
All castes in Ancient India are characterized by certain criteria:
- Endogamy, that is, marriages can only take place between members of the same caste.
- By heredity and continuity: you cannot move from one caste to another.
- You cannot eat with representatives of other castes. In addition, any physical contact with them is strictly prohibited.
- A specific place in the structure of society.
- Limited choice of professions.
Brahmins
Brahmins are the highest varna of Hindus. This is the highest Indian caste. The main goal of brahmins is to teach others and learn themselves, bring gifts to the gods and make sacrifices. Their main color is white. At the very beginning, only the priests were Brahmins, and only in their hands was the right to interpret the word of God. Thanks to this, these Indian castes began to occupy the highest position, since only God himself was higher, and only they could communicate with him. Later, scientists, teachers, preachers, and officials began to be classified as the highest caste.
Men of this caste were not allowed to work in the fields, and women could only do housework. A brahmana should not eat food prepared by a person from another class. In modern India, more than 75% of government officials are representatives of this caste. There are unequal relations among the various subclasses. But even the poorest of the Brahmin subcaste occupies a higher level than others. Killing a member of the highest caste in ancient India is the greatest crime. From time immemorial it has been punishable by death in a cruel form.
Kshatriyas
Translated, “kshatriya” means “powerful, noble.” These include nobles, military personnel, managers, and kings. The main task of a kshatriya is to protect the weak, fight for justice, law and order. This is the second most important varna representing the Indian castes. This class maintained its existence by collecting minimal taxes, duties and fines from subordinates. Previously, warriors had special rights. They were the only ones allowed to carry out punishments against members of castes other than Brahmins, including execution and murder. Modern kshatriyas are military officers, representatives of law enforcement agencies, and heads of enterprises and firms.
Vaishyas and Shudras
The main task of a vaishya is work related to raising livestock, cultivating the land and harvesting crops. This is any socially respected occupation. For this work, the vaishya receives a profit or salary. Their color is yellow. This is the main population of the country. In modern India, these are clerks, simple hired workers who receive money for their work and are satisfied with it.
Representatives low caste in India they are sudras. From time immemorial they have been engaged in the most difficult and dirty work. Their color is black. IN Ancient India these were slaves and servants. The purpose of the Shudras is to serve the three highest castes. They did not have their own property and could not pray to the gods. Even in our time, this is the poorest segment of the population, which often lives below the poverty line.
The Untouchables
This category includes people whose souls sinned greatly in a past life, the lowest stratum of society. But even among them there are numerous groups. The highest classes, representing the untouchable Indian castes, photos of which can be seen in historical publications, are people who have at least some kind of craft, for example, garbage and toilet cleaners. At the very bottom of the hierarchical caste ladder are petty thieves who steal livestock. The most unusual layer of untouchable society is considered to be the hijru group, which includes representatives of all sexual minorities. Interestingly, these representatives are often invited to weddings or births of children, and they often participate in church ceremonies.
The worst person is the one who does not belong to any caste. The name of this category of the population is pariahs. These include people who were born from other pariahs or as a result of inter-caste marriages and who are not recognized by any class.
Modern India
Although there is a public perception that modern India is free from the prejudices of the past, today this is far from the case. The system of division into classes has not disappeared anywhere; castes in modern India are as strong as ever. When a child enters school, he is asked what religion he professes. If it is Hindu, the next question will be about his caste. Also, when entering a university or college, caste is of great importance. If a prospective student belongs to a higher caste, he needs to score fewer points, etc.
Belonging to a particular class affects employment, as well as how a person wants to arrange his future. A girl from a Brahmin family is unlikely to marry a man from the Vaishya caste. Unfortunately it is so. But if the groom is higher in social status than the bride, an exception is sometimes made. In such marriages, the child's caste will be determined by the paternal line. Such caste rules regarding marriage have been completely unchanged since ancient times and cannot be relaxed in any way.
The desire to officially downplay the importance of caste in modern India has led to the absence of a line on membership in a particular group in the latest census forms. The last data on castes in censuses was published in 1931. Despite this, the cumbersome mechanism of dividing the population into classes still works. This is especially noticeable in the remote provinces of India. Although the caste system appeared thousands of years ago, today it is alive, working and developing. It allows people to be around others like themselves, provides support from fellow humans, and defines rules and behavior in society.
(Portuguese casta - genus, species, breed) - a group of people aware of their community, marrying only among themselves, having a range of traditional activities, as well as specific ones. customs, rituals, mythology, distributed interstrially with other similar groups, but limiting communication with them and included in a hierarchical system, that is, occupying a certain position on the scale of social prestige. K. arose among many peoples in the early stages of history, but were preserved in developed society, and in some respects - to this day, only in India and a number of countries that have a common fate with India or have been subject to Indian influence (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal , Sri Lanka, some islands of Indonesia). The special role of K. in the sphere of Indian civilization is due to the fact that K. became one of essential elements ethics of Hinduism. The system of caste hierarchy was justified in the ideas of karma and samsara. According to Hinduism, how a person fulfills the duties (dharma, one of the meanings) prescribed by his K. determines whether he will be born next time in a higher or lower K. T. model, the caste status of the living person appears to be as earned by him in his previous life and capable of being changed only in the next life. The embryo of K. is seen in four earns, which arose in ancient Indian times. about-ve. Smaller groups (jatis) that then appeared in the process of division of labor, as a rule, were associated with one of the four varnas or were perceived as even lower than the sudras (“untouchables”). Jati appeared, according to legend, from mixed marriages of parents from different varnas. Historically, the increase in the number of social groups and statuses from four to several thousand occurred with the division of labor and the complication of social stratification while maintaining tribal consciousness. The number of K. also increased due to real tribes assimilated by Hinduism and included in the Indo-Aryan society. Any social group - professional, religious - that arises in a given society turns into a K. Currently vr. in India it's about 3K. It is believed that they differ from each other in the degree of ritual “purity”, but the actual status depends on many factors, including the financial situation of the group. The community includes both rich and poor families, but in general the correspondence between caste and socio-economic status is maintained: the higher the community, the more rich, more literate, and higher-ranking members are in total. The community can be divided into the highest (Brahmin, military, 8% of the population), middle (commercial, landowning, 22%), lower (agricultural and craft, 39%), “untouchables” (17%); the rest of the population is not included in the K. system (Muslims, Christians, etc.). Throughout history there have been many attempts to overcome the caste fragmentation of society. One such attempt was the teaching of Buddhism.
Hindu hermits (sannyasis) could come from any K. and were considered to have emerged from the caste system. The teaching of bhakti also proceeded from the fact that love for God can and should unite people of all K., etc. took away the rationale from the K. system of religion. The founders of the bhakti sects (Basava, Vallabhacharya, Chaitanya, etc.) accepted all K. people as disciples and followers, but these sects themselves soon turned into a variety of K. Into a new and modern times K. is undermined by the processes of modernization, and all those who consider themselves supporters of progress are in favor of weakening its influence. However, anti-caste propaganda is also carried out by Hindu chauvinists (communalists), who consider the institution of K. to be a deviation from pure Hinduism. They advocate the unity of all Hindus in the struggle against other religious groups for the establishment of “Hindu rule” in India. Those joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh must publicly and in writing declare their resignation from K. Despite all these efforts, caste ethics continues to dominate in matters of marriage, in everyday life, manifest itself in economics, and politics. life. In modern India, belonging to a caste is not recorded in population censuses and is not officially taken into account when hiring and studying; discrimination based on caste, as well as religion and ethnicity, is prohibited and punishable as a criminal offense. However, it is recorded that they belong to the most oppressed, formerly untouchable K., who are included in a special list. For "scheduled" K. places are reserved in states, institutions, educational institutions, legislative bodies and local governments in order to help raise their material and cultural level. In some states of India, places are also reserved for lower and middle classes. Religiosity and the low standard of living of the majority of the Indian population contribute to the consolidation of a caste worldview (social passivity, fatalistic attitude to life). The growth of K.'s self-awareness leads to an exacerbation of inter-caste conflicts, in which class contradictions are sometimes expressed.
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Definitions, meanings of words in other dictionaries:
Big dictionary esoteric terms - edited by Doctor of Medical Sciences Stepanov A.M.
(from Portuguese casts - genus, species, breed), a group of people aware of their community, marrying only among themselves, having a range of traditional activities, as well as specific customs, rituals, mythology, limiting communication with other similar groups and included in ...
Philosophical Dictionary
(Portuguese casta - race, clan, class) - closed and isolated social. a group with a strictly defined occupation, a unique lifestyle, customs, traditions, norms, etc. Belonging to it is determined by birth and community of origin. Marriages...
Philosophical Dictionary
Originally a system of four hereditary classes into which the Indian population was divided: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras (or descendants of Brahma, warriors, merchants and inferior, or farmers). Apart from these initial four, hundreds of castes have now emerged in India.
CASTE
(Portuguese casta - genus, species, breed) - a group of people aware of their community, marrying only among themselves, having a range of traditional activities, as well as specific ones. customs, rituals, mythology, distributed interstrially with other similar groups, but limiting communication with them and included in a hierarchical system, that is, occupying a certain position on the scale of social prestige. K. arose among many peoples in the early stages of history, but were preserved in developed society, and in some respects - to this day, only in India and a number of countries that have a common fate with India or have been subject to Indian influence (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal , Sri Lanka, some islands of Indonesia). The special role of K. in the sphere of Indian civilization is due to the fact that K. has become one of the most important elements of the ethics of Hinduism. The system of caste hierarchy was justified in the ideas of karma and samsara. According to Hinduism, how a person fulfills the duties (dharma, one of the meanings) prescribed by his K. determines whether he will be born next time in a higher or lower K. T. model, the caste status of the living person appears to be as earned by him in his previous life and capable of being changed only in the next life. The embryo of K. is seen in four earns, which arose in ancient Indian times. about-ve. Smaller groups (jatis) that then appeared in the process of division of labor, as a rule, were associated with one of the four varnas or were perceived as even lower than the sudras (“untouchables”). Jati appeared, according to legend, from mixed marriages of parents from different varnas. Historically, the increase in the number of social groups and statuses from four to several thousand occurred with the division of labor and the complication of social stratification while maintaining tribal consciousness. The number of K. also increased due to real tribes assimilated by Hinduism and included in the Indo-Aryan society. Any social group - professional, religious - that arises in a given society turns into a K. Currently vr. in India it's about 3K. It is believed that they differ from each other in the degree of ritual “purity”, but the actual status depends on many factors, including the financial situation of the group. The community includes both rich and poor families, but in general the correspondence between caste and socio-economic status is maintained: the higher the community, the more rich, more literate, and higher-ranking members are in total. The community can be divided into the highest (Brahmin, military, 8% of the population), middle (commercial, landowning, 22%), lower (agricultural and craft, 39%), “untouchables” (17%); the rest of the population is not included in the K system. (Muslims, Christians, etc.). Throughout history there have been many attempts to overcome the caste fragmentation of society. One such attempt was the teaching of Buddhism.
Hindu hermits (sannyasis) could come from any K. and were considered to have emerged from the caste system. The teaching of bhakti also proceeded from the fact that love for God can and should unite people of all K., etc. took away the rationale from the K. system of religion. The founders of the bhakti sects (Basava, Vallabhacharya, Chaitanya, etc.) accepted all K. people as students and followers, but these sects themselves soon turned into a variety of K. In modern and modern times, K. is undermined by the processes of modernization, and for the weakening of its influence all those who consider themselves supporters of progress speak out. However, anti-caste propaganda is also carried out by Hindu chauvinists (communalists), who consider the institution of K. to be a deviation from pure Hinduism. They advocate the unity of all Hindus in the struggle against other religious groups for the establishment of “Hindu rule” in India. Those joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh must publicly and in writing declare their resignation from K. Despite all these efforts, caste ethics continues to dominate in matters of marriage, in everyday life, manifest itself in economics, and politics. life. In modern India, belonging to a caste is not recorded in population censuses and is not officially taken into account when hiring and studying; discrimination based on caste, as well as religion and ethnicity, is prohibited and punishable as a criminal offense. However, it is recorded that they belong to the most oppressed, formerly untouchable K., who are included in a special list. For “listed” K. places are reserved in states, institutions, educational institutions, legislative bodies and local governments in order to help raise their material and cultural level. In some states of India, places are also reserved for lower and middle classes. Religiosity and the low standard of living of the majority of the Indian population contribute to the consolidation of a caste worldview (social passivity, fatalistic attitude to life). The growth of K.'s self-awareness leads to an exacerbation of inter-caste conflicts, in which class contradictions are sometimes expressed.
L. Alaev
Hinduism. Jainism. Sikhism: Dictionary. - M.: Republic. M. F. Albedil, A. M. Dubyansky. 1996 .
Synonyms:See what "CASTA" is in other dictionaries:
- (Spanish casta genus, from Latin castus pure). A closed class of people who pass on their condition, occupation, morals and customs to descendants who do not have the right to change the lifestyle of their ancestors. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
See estate... Dictionary of Russian synonyms and similar expressions. under. ed. N. Abramova, M.: Russian Dictionaries, 1999. caste, society, class; eta, brahmana, sudra, vaishya, kshatriya Dictionary of Russian synonyms ... Synonym dictionary
CASTE, caste, female. (Portuguese casta from Latin castus pure) (book). 1. In India and other Eastern countries, a social group strictly distinguished by the origin, profession and privileges of its members. Brahmin caste. 2. transfer Any closed... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
- (caste) A group of people bound together by Hindu religious beliefs and traditions. In general, the caste system, the first descriptions of which we find in the Manavadharmashastra (the book of Manu’s laws) (200 BC - 200 AD), was associated with ... Political science. Dictionary.
- (Portuguese casta genus, generation, origin) an endogamous group of people occupying a strictly ranked place in the social hierarchy, associated with. traditional activities and limited social tradition in communicating with each other. In one way or another... The latest philosophical dictionary
CASTA, s, female. 1. In Eastern countries: a separate social group, connected by origin, legal status of its members, and sometimes also by religious community. K. Brahmanov. 2. A narrow social group defends its privileges to heaven... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
Women type of national class, state; used about peoples whose classes, according to their faith, are separated from one another, for example. about Indians. Caste, class, belonging to a caste. Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary. IN AND. Dahl. 1863 1866 … Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
- (from the Portuguese casta expressing the concept of the Sanskrit term jati = birth, clan, estate) the name commonly used among all European peoples of numerous divisions (estates, even tribes or races), into which the native ... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
- (from Portuguese casta genus, generation) English. caste; German Kaste. 1. A separate society, group, members of the swarm are related by origin or legal status, membership in the swarm is hereditary (for example, the caste system in India). 2. In a wide... Encyclopedia of Sociology
caste- A group of functionally and usually morphologically distinct individuals in a colony of social insects (K. workers, soldiers, queens, etc.). [Arefyev V.A., Lisovenko L.A. English-Russian explanatory dictionary of genetic terms 1995 407 pp.] Topics... ... Technical Translator's Guide
caste- A closed group of people, isolated due to the performance of specific social functions, hereditary occupations and professions, which is often associated with belonging to a particular ethnic and sometimes religious community, and related... ... Dictionary of Geography
Books
- Casta Diva, Op. D1 No. 1, F. Chopin, Reprint sheet music edition of "Casta Diva, Op. D1 No. 1". Genres: Airs; For piano; Scores featuring the piano; For 1 player. We created especially for you, using our own patented... Category:
Indian society is divided into classes called castes. This division occurred many thousands of years ago and continues to this day. Hindus believe that by following the rules established in your caste, in your next life you can be born as a representative of a slightly higher and more respected caste, and occupy a much better position in society.
History of the origin of the caste system
The Indian Vedas tell us that even the ancient Aryan peoples living on the territory of modern India approximately one and a half thousand years BC already had a society divided into classes.
Much later, these social strata began to be called varnas(from the word “color” in Sanskrit - according to the color of the clothes worn). Another version of the name varna is caste, which comes from the Latin word.
Initially, in Ancient India there were 4 castes (varnas):
- brahmanas - priests;
- kshatriyas—warriors;
- vaisya—working people;
- Shudras are laborers and servants.
This division into castes appeared due to different levels of wealth: the rich wanted to be surrounded only by people like themselves, successful people and disdained to communicate with the poorer and uneducated.
Mahatma Gandhi preached the fight against caste inequality. with his biography, he is truly a man with a great soul!
Castes in modern India
Today, Indian castes have become even more structured, with many various subgroups called jatis.
During the last census of representatives of various castes, there were more than 3 thousand jatis. True, this census took place more than 80 years ago.
Many foreigners consider the caste system to be a relic of the past and believe that the caste system no longer works in modern India. In fact, everything is completely different. Even the Indian government could not come to a consensus regarding this stratification of society. Politicians actively work on dividing society into layers during elections, adding protection of the rights of a particular caste to their election promises.
In modern India more than 20 percent of the population belongs to the untouchable caste: they have to live in their own separate ghettos or below the line settlement. Such people are not allowed to enter stores, government and medical institutions, or even use public transport.
The untouchable caste has a completely unique subgroup: society’s attitude towards it is quite contradictory. This includes homosexuals, transvestites and eunuchs, making a living through prostitution and asking tourists for coins. But what a paradox: the presence of such a person at the holiday is considered a very good sign.
Another amazing untouchable podcast - pariah. These are people completely expelled from society - marginalized. Previously, one could become a pariah even by touching such a person, but now the situation has changed a little: one becomes a pariah either by being born from an intercaste marriage, or from pariah parents.
Conclusion
The caste system originated thousands of years ago, but still continues to live and develop in Indian society.
Varnas (castes) are divided into subcastes - jati. There are 4 varnas and many jatis.
In India there are societies of people who do not belong to any caste. This - expelled people.
The caste system gives people the opportunity to be with their own kind, provides support from fellow humans and clear rules of life and behavior. This is a natural regulation of society, existing in parallel with the laws of India.
1) Caste- (from Portuguese casta - genus, generation) - English. caste; German Kaste. 1. A separate society, group, whose members are related by origin or legal status, membership in the group is hereditary (for example, the caste system in India). 2. In a broad sense - a society, a group that jealously guards its isolation, isolation and its class or group privileges.
2) Caste- (from Portuguese casta - clan, generation) - 1. Separate society. a group whose members are related by origin or legal status, and membership in the group is hereditary (for example, the caste system in India). 2. Society a group that jealously guards its isolation, isolation and its class or group privileges.
3) Caste- - a social group (stratum), in which a person owes membership solely by his birth.
4) Caste- - a closed, endogamous group of people, isolated due to the performance of a specific social function, hereditary occupations and professions.
5) Caste- - closed, endogamous (see exogamy and endogamy) strata with ascriptive (assigned) membership (see social status) and a complete lack of social mobility, forming the basis of a special historical form of social stratification - caste. The caste system existed in its pure form in Hindu India. Its roots go deep into history (about 3 thousand years). The caste system, with the help of religion, rigidly consolidates a certain division of labor, formed on an ethnic basis - each caste is allowed only a certain type of occupation. Castes take their places in accordance with the degree of “ritual purity”, i.e. on religious grounds. In India there were four caste groups and one non-caste group - the untouchables. Since 1947, caste division has ceased to be supported by the state, but its social role still remains very significant.
6) Caste- (Portuguese casta - genus, generation, origin) - an endogamous group of people occupying a strictly ranked place in the social hierarchy, associated with traditional occupations and limited by social tradition in communicating with each other. In one form or another, signs of caste division were present in the social system of many ancient and medieval societies (K. vorov in Ancient Egypt, samurai in Japan, etc.). Only in India did the caste organization develop into a comprehensive social system. According to the Indian Constitution (1950), caste people have equal rights and caste discrimination is prohibited by law (1955). At the same time, certain caste differences in India, especially in rural areas, still exist to this day. In modern society, there may be certain social class groups that function according to caste mechanisms (from elite to marginal). S.Yu. Solodovnikov
7) Caste- (caste) - a form of social stratification included in a hierarchically structured system; a closed, endogamous stratum in which membership is prescribed, contact with other strata is limited, and mobility is theoretically excluded. Although it reflects the economic inequality resulting from allowing members of each caste only a certain type of occupation, it is ultimately based on non-economic criteria. In its purest form - in Hindu India - the principle of caste is religious: castes are ranked according to the degree of ritual purity attributed to their members and occupation. Some commentators, however, expand the term to cover situations in which division is reinforced by racial antipathies and perhaps legal sanctions, as until recently in South Africa (see Apartheid) and in certain southern states of the USA (for example, Dollard's "Caste and class in southern city ", 1937). The etymology of the term is also controversial. It comes from the Portuguese casta, but it remains unclear whether it was originally a general term for a class or category, or whether it was more specifically associated with concepts of purity and birth. Historically, some believe, the only true a form of caste stratification exists in India in connection with Hinduism. The origins of this system are unclear for more than 3000 years. They probably have a dual basis - ethnicity and occupational specialization. The vast subcontinental region of India was inhabited by a number of ethnic groups; the relationships between them often changed due to. conquests and various professional skills. The caste system, therefore, arises outside the models of special, political and social subordination, and professional specialization and ethnic antipathies imply barriers to contacts. Hence, its development is justified by two facts: the provision of associations by groups for collective normative attitudes in harvesting and. taxes; the presence of a powerful clergy (brahmins), capable of introducing taboos into the established set of ritual rules, which are sometimes strengthened by combination with secular norms. The system that the Brahmins perfected rested on five main elements: four caste groups (varnas) and one extra-caste group - the “untouchables”. They occupied and occupy places in the hierarchy of ritual purity, which stemmed from the lifestyle and occupation permitted only to their members. The highest castes were Brahmins and Kshatriyas, the latter representing secular and military rulers, as well as landowners. Next come the castes of the entrepreneurial middle classes (vaishyas) and workers, servants, slaves (shudras). At the very bottom are the out-caste or untouchables (harijans), who perform the dirtiest work and are considered ritually unclean. Varna, however, constitutes only the largest division of the system, and in determining everyday social actions its regionally based divisions, individual castes and sub-castes - jati (literal translation - to separate "breeds" and "varieties") are more important. Each of the jatis has its own social rank and set of caste rules designed to maintain the ritual exclusivity of the group by limiting or prohibiting marriage, commensality, and social and physical contact beyond caste boundaries. In addition, they ritually regulate work and the methods of its implementation. The rules are reinforced by secular and spiritual sanctions emanating from the punitive powers of the authorities of caste, public opinion and Hindu theodicy. The latter is associated with the belief in reincarnation. The position of an individual within a caste is a reward or punishment for correct or incorrect adherence to caste rules in its previous incarnations. Since rank within a caste is given at birth and maintained throughout the entire incarnation, the only hope for a person to achieve a higher rank in the next birth is related to the accurate fulfillment of caste duties. This is a powerful incentive to adhere to the rules of caste. In the Hindu worldview, this structure of spiritual and social governance is supported by two symbols: dharma - the highest order of all natural and social things, including social behavior and social relations appropriate to a member of a particular caste, and karma - the general doctrine of reincarnation. It was from here that Weber derived the theory of the enslaving traditionalism of the Hindu peoples. He also believed that the caste system hindered the development of capitalism in India for at least three reasons: the divisions of the system prevented the urban "middle classes" from linking the establishment of human rights with the freedom of property on which capitalism rests; the diversity of laws in each caste prevented the emergence of a general and “universal” legal system suitable to capitalist development; Ritual stereotypes about caste-related labor and technology hampered labor mobility and the application of new technologies. The reality of caste, however, differs from the theoretical prohibitions. One important difference is the existence of a process known as Sanskritization, that is, an individual jati can succeed in increasing its position in the hierarchy by gradually adopting the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of members of a higher caste. In practice, somewhat at odds with Weber's ideas, industrial development in India since the 1900s showed an adaptation of caste labor behavior patterns to new economic demands. So the connection between the caste system and economic development is more flexible than is sometimes believed. Since 1947, caste division has not received support from the state, but its social role still remains significant. Among the well-known general works on caste are: V. Bugle “Essays on the Caste System” (1970) and L. Dumont “Homohierarchicus: the caste system and its meaning” (1970). See also Class; Social partitions; Wed States; Slavery.
Caste
(from Portuguese casta - clan, generation) - English. caste; German Kaste. 1. A separate society, group, whose members are related by origin or legal status, membership in the group is hereditary (for example, the caste system in India). 2. In a broad sense - a society, a group that jealously guards its isolation, isolation and its class or group privileges.
(from Portuguese casta - clan, generation) - 1. Separate society. a group whose members are related by origin or legal status, and membership in the group is hereditary (for example, the caste system in India). 2. Society a group that jealously guards its isolation, isolation and its class or group privileges.
A social group (stratum) in which a person owes membership solely by his birth.
A closed, endogamous group of people, isolated due to the performance of a specific social function, hereditary occupations and professions.
Closed, endogamous (see exogamy and endogamy) strata with ascriptive (assigned) membership (see social status) and a complete lack of social mobility, forming the basis of a special historical form of social stratification - caste. The caste system existed in its pure form in Hindu India. Its roots go deep into history (about 3 thousand years). The caste system, with the help of religion, rigidly consolidates a certain division of labor, formed on an ethnic basis - each caste is allowed only a certain type of occupation. Castes take their places in accordance with the degree of “ritual purity”, i.e. on religious grounds. In India there were four caste groups and one non-caste group - the untouchables. Since 1947, caste division has ceased to be supported by the state, but its social role still remains very significant.
(Portuguese casta - clan, generation, origin) - an endogamous group of people occupying a strictly ranked place in the social hierarchy, associated with traditional occupations and limited by social tradition in communicating with each other. In one form or another, signs of caste division were present in the social structure of many ancient and medieval societies (K. thieves in Ancient Egypt, samurai in Japan, etc.). Only in India did the caste organization develop into a comprehensive social system. According to the Indian Constitution (1950), caste people have equal rights and caste discrimination is prohibited by law (1955). At the same time, certain caste differences in India, especially in rural areas, still exist to this day. In modern society, there may be certain social class groups that function according to caste mechanisms (from elite to marginal). S.Yu. Solodovnikov
(caste) - a form of social stratification included in a hierarchically structured system; a closed, endogamous stratum in which membership is prescribed, contact with other strata is limited, and mobility is theoretically excluded. Although it reflects the economic inequality resulting from allowing members of each caste only a certain type of occupation, it is ultimately based on non-economic criteria. In its purest form - in Hindu India - the principle of caste is religious: castes are ranked according to the degree of ritual purity attributed to their members and occupation. Some commentators, however, expand the term to cover situations in which division is reinforced by racial antipathies and perhaps by legal sanctions, as until recently in South Africa (see Apartheid) and in certain southern states of the United States (for example, Dollard, Caste and Class in a Southern Town, 1937. The etymology of the term is also controversial. casta, but it remains unclear whether it was originally a general term to designate a class or category or whether it was more specifically linked to concepts of purity and gentility. Historically, as some believe, the only true form of caste stratification has existed in India in connection with Hinduism for more than 3000 years. -year-old origins of this system are not clear. They probably have a dual basis - ethnicity and professional specialization. The vast subcontinental region of India was inhabited by a number of ethnic groups; relations between them often changed due to conquests and different professional skills. The caste system, therefore, arises outside patterns of particular, political and social subordination, and occupational specialization and ethnic antipathies imply barriers to contact. Hence, its development is justified by two facts: the provision of associations by groups for collective normative guidelines in the collection of crops and taxes; the presence of a powerful clergy (brahmins), capable of introducing taboos into the established set of ritual rules, which are sometimes strengthened by combination with secular norms. The system that the Brahmins perfected rested on five main elements: four caste groups (varnas) and one extra-caste group - the “untouchables”. They occupied and occupy places in the hierarchy of ritual purity, which stemmed from the lifestyle and occupation permitted only to their members. The highest castes were Brahmins and Kshatriyas, the latter representing secular and military rulers, as well as landowners. Next come the castes of the entrepreneurial middle classes (vaishyas) and workers, servants, slaves (shudras). At the very bottom are the out-caste or untouchables (harijans), who perform the dirtiest work and are considered ritually unclean. Varna, however, constitutes only the largest division of the system, and in determining everyday social actions its regionally based divisions, individual castes and sub-castes - jati (literal translation - to separate "breeds" and "varieties") are more important. Each of the jatis has its own social rank and set of caste rules designed to maintain the ritual exclusivity of the group by limiting or prohibiting marriage, commensality, and social and physical contact beyond caste boundaries. In addition, they ritually regulate work and the methods of its implementation. The rules are reinforced by secular and spiritual sanctions emanating from the punitive powers of the authorities of caste, public opinion and Hindu theodicy. The latter is associated with the belief in reincarnation. The position of an individual within a caste is a reward or punishment for correct or incorrect adherence to caste rules in its previous incarnations. Since rank within a caste is given at birth and maintained throughout the entire incarnation, the only hope for a person to achieve a higher rank in the next birth is related to the accurate fulfillment of caste duties. This is a powerful incentive to adhere to the rules of caste. In the Hindu worldview, this structure of spiritual and social governance is supported by two symbols: dharma - the highest order of all natural and social things, including social behavior and social relations appropriate to a member of a particular caste, and karma - the general doctrine of reincarnation. It was from here that Weber derived the theory of the enslaving traditionalism of the Hindu peoples. He also believed that the caste system hindered the development of capitalism in India for at least three reasons: the divisions of the system prevented the urban "middle classes" from linking the establishment of human rights with the freedom of property on which capitalism rests; the diversity of laws in each caste prevented the emergence of a general and “universal” legal system suitable to capitalist development; Ritual stereotypes about caste-related labor and technology hampered labor mobility and the application of new technologies. The reality of caste, however, differs from the theoretical prohibitions. One important difference is the existence of a process known as Sanskritization, that is, an individual jati can succeed in increasing its position in the hierarchy by gradually adopting the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of members of a higher caste. In practice, somewhat at odds with Weber's ideas, industrial development in India since the 1900s showed an adaptation of caste labor behavior patterns to new economic demands. So the connection between the caste system and economic development is more flexible than is sometimes believed. Since 1947, caste division has not received support from the state, but its social role still remains significant. Among the well-known general works on caste are: V. Bugle “Essays on the Caste System” (1970) and L. Dumont “Homohierarchicus: the caste system and its meaning” (1970). See also Class; Social partitions; Wed States; Slavery.
