Page 181 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University
Social Structure and Social Change Ripudaman Singh, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 8: Changing Trends and Future of Caste System

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
8.1 Changing Structure of Caste
8.2 New Trends Found in the Caste System of Modern India
8.3 Factors Moulding the Caste System
8.4 Functions of Caste
8.5 Demerits and Merits of Caste System
8.6 Present Structure of the Caste System.
8.7 Future of Caste
8.8 Summary
8.9 Key-Words
8.10 Review Questions
8.11 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit students will be able to:
• Understand changing structure of caste.
• Assess the new trends formed in caste system.
• Explain the factors and functions of the caste system.
• Discuss demerits and merits of caste system.
Introduction

The caste system is a system of division of labour and power in human society. It is a system of social
stratification, and a basis for affirmative action. Historically, it defined communities into thousands
of endogamous hereditary groups called Jatis.
The Jatis were grouped by the Brahminical texts under the four well-known caste categories (the
varnas): viz Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Certain people were excluded altogether,
ostracized by all other castes and treated as untouchables.
Although identified with Hinduism, caste systems have also been observed among other religions
on the Indian subcontinent, including some groups of Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. The latter
are similar to the caste system reported in the Igbo-Osu Christian community in Africa.
Caste is commonly thought of as an ancient fact of Hindu life, but various contemporary scholars
have argued that the caste system was constructed by the British colonial regime. Caste is neither
unique to Hindu religion nor to India; caste systems have been observed in other parts of the world,
for example, in the Muslim community of Yemen, Christian colonies of Spain, and Japan.
The Indian government officially recognizes historically discriminated lowest castes of India such as
Untouchables and Shudras under Scheduled Castes, and certain economically backward castes as
Other Backward Castes. The Scheduled Castes are sometimes referred to as Dalit in contemporary
literature. In 2001, the proportion of Dalit population was 16.2 percent of India’s total population.
Since 1950, India has enacted and implemented many laws and social initiatives to protect and improve
the socio-economic conditions of its Dalit population. By 1995, of all jobs in the Central Government
service, 17.2 percent of the jobs were held by Dalits. Of the highest paying, senior most jobs in

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