The Caste System of Ancient India

Origins of the Caste System Indo-European Aryans invaded India in 1500 BC

They were warrior people

who established control and

began to restructure Indian

social classifications

Under their influence

Indian people were divided

into five different social

groups

The Aryans

The Different Castes

The Brahmins

Members of the highest caste

Priests and teachers of

Sanskrit

Performed religious

duties and preached

Dharma

Only caste allowed to

teach and attend school

Shi·va    Hinduism

One of the principal Hindu deities, worshiped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds and in numerous other forms. Shiva is often conceived as a member of the triad also including Brahma and Vishnu.

The KshatriyaRanked below the Brahmins

Functioned as warriors or

army leaders

A part of the military and

ruling elite

The VaishyasBelow the Kshatriya

Traders, cattle farmers,

minor officials, merchants

and artisans

Owned their own

business or farm land

There were many more

people in this caste than

the Kshatriyas or Brahmins

The SudrasBelow the Vaishyas

Servants and farmhands

Did not own their own land

and businesses

Were employed by

members of higher castes

The most populous caste

Second to last were the shudras, who were servants and farmhands who did not own their own land or businesses and who were employed by other people in a higher class.

Jobs include gardeners, potters, and clothes washers

The Harijans

Known as “untouchables”, “pariahs”, “the people”

Technically not even a caste, below all others

Responsible for handling the dead, cleaning up

human waste, and collecting garbage

At the very bottom of the caste system, technically not belonging to a class at all, were the untouchables. The untouchables held the worst jobs in society, usually collecting garbage and cleaning up human waste…

The Caste System in Practice

Impossible to change

castes, even in death

Caste status passed

down through family

generationsPeople from different

castes could not marry,

befriend, or eat with each

other

Castes were supported

by religious texts

Members of a caste rely on each other for support

• Each caste has an occupation(s) and contributes to the good of the whole

Brahmins—thinkers/knowers

Vaisya—provide food for the belly

Sudra—do the work

Ksatriya—doers

Each caste is born out of Brahma (the creator)

Landholder gives grain to…

Barber

PotterBlacksmith

Carpenter

Priest

Today…more of a market system