PRESENTED BY: AMAN (29004) ANAND (29008) ANUSHRI (29011) BABITA (29015) JOSEPH (F072)

Introduction CASTE – Social Institution Definition by Dr Ketkar Membership by birth Endogamy Caste System present in all Indian religions Caste affected by Karma and Dharma Food ( Vegetarian and Teetotaler) Occupation

CASTE – Social Institution

Definition by Dr Ketkar

Membership by birth

Endogamy

Caste System present in all Indian religions

Caste affected by

Karma and Dharma

Food ( Vegetarian and Teetotaler)

Occupation

Varna Varna system as explained in Rig Veda is based on “colour”. It was used to differentiate between Arya varna and Dasu varna. In later parts there is mention of society being divided into four orders namely Brahmins Rajanya Vaishya Shudra The untouchables and the tribes which mostly consisted of the aborigines are excluded from the varna system and.

Varna system as explained in Rig Veda is based on “colour”. It was used to differentiate between Arya varna and Dasu varna.

In later parts there is mention of society being divided into four orders namely

Brahmins

Rajanya

Vaishya

Shudra

The untouchables and the tribes which mostly consisted of the aborigines are excluded from the varna system and.

VARNA AND JATI Varna system is the simple structure and much easy to understand. Jati structure encapsulates many other complexities and also is what one encounters on the ground. Varna system primarily based on ritualistic superiority while jati system sometimes gives politico-economic superiority more weightage. According to Dumount: Varna system is much more open and based on occupation. Jati system comparatively closed and hereditary. It is primarily based on the idea of “purity and impurity”. Veneration of cow linked to the concept of “purity”. Dumount verifies his concept by observing that mobility in caste often happens in varna system and rarely in jati system.

Varna system is the simple structure and much easy to understand. Jati structure encapsulates many other complexities and also is what one encounters on the ground.

Varna system primarily based on ritualistic superiority while jati system sometimes gives politico-economic superiority more weightage.

According to Dumount:

Varna system is much more open and based on occupation.

Jati system comparatively closed and hereditary. It is primarily based on the idea of “purity and impurity”.

Veneration of cow linked to the concept of “purity”.

Dumount verifies his concept by observing that mobility in caste often happens in varna system and rarely in jati system.

Nature of caste hierarchy Hierarchy as defined in varna system is based on the concepts of “Dharma” and “Artha”. Dharma which is ritualistic superiority is given precedence over Artha which is political and economic one. More mobility in kshatriya clan can be explained through this. Concept of “purity” fortifies these divisions.

Hierarchy as defined in varna system is based on the concepts of “Dharma” and “Artha”.

Dharma which is ritualistic superiority is given precedence over Artha which is political and economic one.

More mobility in kshatriya clan can be explained through this.

Concept of “purity” fortifies these divisions.

CASTE & POLITICS Effect of Democracy Horizontal Mobilization – BSP motto Castes losing out in spite of Democracy Cause – Affect relation Can Caste – Politics nexus be broken ?

Effect of Democracy

Horizontal Mobilization – BSP motto

Castes losing out in spite of Democracy

Cause – Affect relation

Can Caste – Politics nexus be broken ?

MOBILITY IN CASTE SYSTEM Two potent sources of Mobility were : 1. The fluidity of the political system, 2. Availability of marginal land. Kshatriya Varna was recruited from a wide var.of caste,(medieval Pala dynasty of Bengal: shudra & patidars of Gujarat peasant) Sanskritization Open agrarian system ( spatial mobility). New mobility as a result of British rule. Demonstration effect

Two potent sources of Mobility were :

1. The fluidity of the political system,

2. Availability of marginal land.

Kshatriya Varna was recruited from a wide var.of caste,(medieval Pala dynasty of Bengal: shudra & patidars of Gujarat peasant)

Sanskritization

Open agrarian system ( spatial mobility).

New mobility as a result of British rule.

Demonstration effect

The new opportunities were enjoyed by high castes, resulted in increase in cultural & ideological distance between high caste and lower caste, this gave rise to “Backward Class Movement”. It passed through 2 stages, 1.Low caste concentration on acquiring symbols of high status, 2.Emphasis shifted from symbols to real source of high status. Mobility in medieval India : “familial” Mobility in modern India : “ corporate”

The new opportunities were enjoyed by high castes, resulted in increase in cultural & ideological distance between high caste and lower caste, this gave rise to “Backward Class Movement”.

It passed through 2 stages,

1.Low caste concentration on acquiring symbols of high status,

2.Emphasis shifted from symbols to real source of high status.

Mobility in medieval India : “familial”

Mobility in modern India : “ corporate”

The consensus for elimination of caste hierarchy in the social order has grown. The consciousness among deprived castes has steadily grown and has manifested itself in forms of political mobilization. Persistence of caste inequality and upper caste domination in the political economy as a whole. Thus reservation policy has been used as an alibi for not taking reform measures.

The consensus for elimination of caste hierarchy in the social order has grown.

The consciousness among deprived castes has steadily grown and has manifested itself in forms of political mobilization.

Persistence of caste inequality and upper caste domination in the political economy as a whole.

Thus reservation policy has been used as an alibi for not taking reform measures.

THE CONCEPT OF DOMINANT CASTE Four important elements of dominance:- Numerical strength Economic and political power Ritual status Western education and occupations.

Four important elements of dominance:-

Numerical strength

Economic and political power

Ritual status

Western education and occupations.

CASTE TRIVIA Advantage of Caste Sense of Security Division of labour Caste as a cohesive force – unity among diversity Ramayana by Valmiki

Advantage of Caste

Sense of Security

Division of labour

Caste as a cohesive force – unity among diversity

Ramayana by Valmiki

FOR BEING PATIENT ENOUGH!!

FOR BEING PATIENT ENOUGH!!