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Book No. – 19 (Sociology)
Book Name – Social Background of Indian Nationalism (A.R. Desai)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. Caste System, the ‘Steel Frame of Hinduism’
2. Caste Vs. Classes
3. Caste System, its Chief Features
4. Growing Disintegration of Caste System: Causes
5. Impact of New Property Relations
6. Impact of Modern Cities
7. Impact of New Legal System
8. Impact of New Social Formations
9. Impact of Class Struggles
10. Impact of Modern Education
11. Impact of Political Movements
12. Caste System, its Reactionary Significance
13. Movements Against Caste System
14. Movements Perpetuating Caste System
15. Dual Aspects of Lower Castes’ Movements
16. Future Trend
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Crusade Against Caste System
Chapter – 14
Table of Contents
Caste System, the ‘Steel Frame of Hinduism’
- Caste system was a principal target of the socio-reform movement in India.
- The caste system divided the Hindu community into sealed, hierarchically graded groups based on birth.
- It was considered “the steel frame of Hinduism” and was more ancient than the Vedas.
- Originally, Hindu society had three or four castes, which later expanded into various smaller castes and sub-castes(jatis) due to factors like racial admixture, geographical expansion, and the growth of crafts.
- The caste system created social disintegration, as it divided Hindus into a growing number of groups, making marriage, vocation, and dining exclusive to each group.
- The caste system was undemocratic and authoritarian, with each caste being considered inferior to those above and superior to those below it.
- The status of a person was predetermined by the caste they were born into and could not be changed by talent or wealth.
- The caste system also predetermined a person’s vocation, offering no choice but to follow the occupation of their birth caste.
- Endogamy (marrying within one’s own caste) governed the system, restricting matrimonial choices to one’s caste.
- Caste created an aristocracy of birth, stifling initiative, self-confidence, and the spirit of enterprise.
- It hindered the growth of a nationality and the development of a democratic state and led to the untouchable problem.
- The caste system was hierarchically graded with Brahmins at the top, who had exclusive rights to officiate as priests and access to religious and secular learning.
- At the bottom were the Shudras and untouchables, who were assigned menial tasks like scavengers and tanners.
- The caste system was based on social and legal inequalities, with roles enforced by Hindu society, religion, and state.
- Caste was not unique due to differences in functions but due to organizing and controlling inequality based on inheritance and birth, denying equality.
Caste Vs. Classes
- Birth determined a person’s caste, unlike modern classes, which are determined by wealth.
- Castes were non-voluntary and membership was not based on selection but on birth.
- The status in a caste was determined by the traditional importance of the caste, not wealth as in modern class systems.
- Maclver distinguishes caste from class: in eastern civilizations, birth determined class and status, whereas in the western civilization of today, wealth is a major determinant.
- Class does not have councils to regulate conduct, while caste had quasi-legal powers to enforce rules, such as excommunication, fines, and corporal punishment.
- A person’s primary allegiance was to their caste, weakening their solidarity to the wider community.
- Each caste had its own norm of conduct and became a separate socio-cultural group due to differences in ethics.
- The caste system was sanctified by religion; its origins were attributed to God Brahman.
- If a person violated caste rules, it was not just a social crime but a sin against religion, reinforcing caste authority.
- Hinduism demanded followers accept the social position they were born into (their caste), as it was considered divinely ordained, and fulfilling caste duties was seen as the path to salvation (Moksha).
- The caste system controlled vital personal affairs like marriage, vocation, and social interactions, limiting individual freedom.
- The caste a person was born into determined their social status, which varied based on caste in the eyes of state law.
- The caste system led to inequalities, even in matters like residence, with lower castes segregated from higher castes in separate quarters.
- Untouchables and impure castes were further restricted: denied access to public wells, tanks, and temples.
- Untouchables and unapproachables were subject to brutal punishments for even the sight of them contaminating higher castes.