How did the development of human rights affect the caste system in India
How did the development of human rights affect the caste system in India? The caste system in India is a powerful foundation consisting of many different classes and influences resulting in social segregation which has shaped Indian society for thousands of years. In India the caste system is a strict division between power and poverty, it is thought to be a part of ancient Hindu life, though some argue it was empowered by British imperialism. The caste system has several theories concerning its origins, the primary concept being the Arayan system. [1] The Arayan system consisted of thousands of endogamous castes, historically known as Varnas. As defined by ancient Brahminicial texts there were four prominent caste categories; Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Shrudas.[2] The castes were a hierarchy, the chain of command beginning with Brahmins, whose role was that of priests and teachers. The Brahmins was a powerful caste because they were put on pedestals by the people. Due to the devotion the population bestowed to priests they were very wealthy and lived in comfort. Beneath the Brahmins was the Kshatriyas, the class of warriors and rulers. It was the Kshatriyas’ responsibility to uphold justice and social harmony in addition to govern and oversee India, and in times of conflict, to defend.[3] The second lowest ranking class was the Vaisyas. People in this class were traders, moneylenders, farmers, merchants, and businessmen; the men were entitled to wear sacred threads. At the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid were the Shrudas who were the agriculturists and the artisans. Sometimes mentioned are the, Dalit, or untouchables, named so because they are seen as so lowly and unclean as to have no place within society, were sometimes considered as a separate group below the Shrudas or part of a lower sub section within the Shrudas.
Although there are many efforts in place today working to improve the caste system there are still many
Although there are many efforts in place today working to improve the caste system there are still many