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 Priests are members of the Brahmin class.  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar  The 10th President of India, KR Narayanan, a member of the Dalit class  Dalits   Weddings normally take place between members of the same caste. | ||||
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RATINGS: Sites are rated from 1 owl (good) to a high of 5 owls. Read more- Restorative Justice and India's Caste System
Why does an institution created 3,500 years ago that relegates people into social classes still exist today? Because the caste system is embedded in tradition, religion, philosophy, and more. This missionary website from the United Methodist Church examines the origins of the Indian caste system and how it has evolved over the years.
- The Caste System in Nepal
The caste system still exists throughout South Asia, including the country of Nepal. When the Muslims attacked ancient India, many of the fleeing Indians headed for Nepal, where they encountered descendants of the Mongols. The classification of the Mongol tribes formed an early version of the Nepalese, which is a bit different than the Indian caste system. This website describes Nepal's castes and subcastes.
- The Caste System in India
This educational project provides an overview of India's caste system. The history of the caste system, definitions of the varnas, intercaste relations, and the modern caste system are just a few of the topics covered here. Be sure to check out "My Other Sources" to hear and read interviews from three Indians of different ages. What do they think about the caste system and its existence today? This student concludes that the caste system still exists and probably always will.
- A Tribute to Hinduism: Caste System
In Hindu scriptures there are no references to one caste being superior to another. One text, the Hitopadesh, states that, "all mankind is one family." How did the caste system become what it is? This extensive website lists some fascinating articles from Hindu scholars that look at the pros and cons of the system, describes common misconceptions of the system, and explains how the modern caste system does not reflect the Hindu scripture.
- Varna
The caste system of India is separated into four distinct varnas, literally "colors". After the Aryans abandoned their traditionally nomadic lifestyle and settled down, the system became more rigid. The four castes were said to be born from the mouth (Brahmins), arms (Kshatriyas), thighs (Vaisyas), and feet (Sudras) of Brahma the Creator. This website discusses the four distinct classes and the history of each.
- Of Beggars and Begging
Not all street beggars in India beg because they have to. Some of them do it to follow the tradition of their family's jati. Others are entertainers, fortune tellers, or leaders of beggar clans. Begging is a complex phenomenon in India. People don't always trun to begging for lack of a profession — for some, begging is a profession. This article from Kamat's Potpourri examines the tradition of begging.
- Indian Names and Their Meanings
Although individuals may share up to six surnames with members of their jati, their personal names are unique. The beauty of the Indian language is well represented in the names of Indian boys and girls. This site provides the meanings of over 1,600 Indian names from Abhilasha (desire) to Yuyutsu (eager to fight).
- The Emergence of the Caste System
Is the caste system the same as slavery? The author of this article thinks the two systems are similar, and that psychology is used to make the caste system work. This extremely detailed website covers nearly every aspect of the caste system and explains the purposes of each of the varnas. Were the lower classes simply tricked into believing they were relegated to less-than-optimal occupations? That question may never be answered.
The Caste System
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