Page 148 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Unit 6: Caste System in India

Kumhar (potters) castes will fall into the first category on all accounts but some castes like Kalwar Notes
(distiller and liquor-seller) will fall into group (i) for the kachcha food and group (iii) for the pucca
food. Halwai (sweatmeat seller) likewise falls into group (i) for the kachcha and group (iv) for the
pucca; Kayasth into group (ii) for both; Kahar into group (iv) for the kachcha and group (iii) for the
pucca food. These instances clearly show that each caste almost has a law to itself. The various
castes, thus, do not fall into uniform groups.
In the last few decades, however, we find these commensal restrictions are no longer rigidly
observed. In other words, there is change in the commensal characteristic of the caste system.
3. Compelling Religious Sanctions on Social Participation
Restrictions on social interaction have been imposed because of the belief that pollution can be
carried by mere bodily contact. It is because of such beliefs that the low caste people engaged in
inferior occupations are avoided by the upper caste people. Likewise, the chamars, dhobis, doms
and hundreds of beef-eating low castes, commonly known as untouchables, are shunned by the
high caste Hindus. There are also specific rules for greeting and interacting with members of high
or intermediate castes, for sharing common cot (charpoi) with others, and for day-to-day as well as
ritual interaction.
4. The Outcaste Substratum
Castes engaged in defiling or menial or polluting occupations are treated as untouchables. They
are called outcastes, depressed classes or scheduled castes. These castes are believed to have
descended from the races originally inhabiting India before the invasion of the Aryans. Later they
accepted servitude on the lowest fringes of Hindu society. They mostly live outside the village
and eke out their existence by labour like scavenging, shoe-making, tanning, etc. They are not
permitted to draw water from wells used by the uppercaste people. They are even debarred from
the use of public roads, schools, temples, cremation grounds, hotels and tea-shops. They sacrifice
animals to appease the dreaded demons that dominate their lives. Their presence and their touch
is thought to contaminate others. In the Peshva period, Doms were not permitted to enter Poona
city between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. because it was thought that even their shadows (which
become longer in this period due to the setting and the rising of the sun) could pollute the high
caste people. For the same reason, Brahmin doctors in South India used to wrap their hands with
a silken cloth before examining the pulse of their Sudra patients. On the same ground, Panan
(basket-maker), Tiyan (toddy-drawer), Pulayan, Shanan and other lower castes in South India
were not allowed to approach high castes within certain distances. They were to maintain a distance
of thirty-six, seventy-two or ninety-six paces from these people, depending on their status. Caste
mores have held these untouchable castes down in abysmal ignorance and degradation on the
assumption that they suffer justly for their vicious deeds in previous lives. However, many of the
prohibitions imposed on the out-castes have now been relaxed. But, though legally these restrictions
have been removed, and socially also pollution is no longer treated very seriously by the majority
of the high caste Hindus, yet we continue to find the practising of some restrictions in ritual
situations, though no longer enforced in ordinary day-to-day secular life.
6.4.2 Characteristics (of Caste) as a Unit
1. Ascribed Status
The membership of an individual in a caste is determined by his birth. Since each caste has its
own rank in relation to other castes, the high or low status of an individual depends upon the
ritual status of the caste in which he is born. In fact, every aspect of the life of an orthodox Hindu
hmges on his birth. His domestic ceremonies and customs, temple worship, circle of friends and
occupation, all depend upon the level of the caste into which he is born.
2. Endogamy
The members of a caste have to marry in their own caste and sub-caste. Endogamy has, thus, been
permanently enforced within caste groups.

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