Abstract In this article, the writer studies the castesystem in India. The writer states that this system has long been a target of criticism and understandably so. The writer claims that by dividing people into desirable and undesirable people and by forbidding, at least in the abstract, intermarriage between various groups, the castesystem undermines the essential human equality of all citizens and creates the grounds for ethnic and social tension. Further, the writer notes that for women especially the castesystem is destructive, because it renders them little more than an adjunct to their husbands, while simultaneously denying them the freedom to share their lives with whom they wish.
From the Paper "The general status of women is harmed by the caste system in additional ways that go beyond just the potential violence they must confront all-too-frequently. Ultimately, caste determines the type of social mixing permitted, the type of wells at which one can draw water and the types of technology rural inhabitants can use in tending to their lands. In addition, land is almost invariably in the hands of the Brahman elite and underlings are dependent upon their superiors for employment."
Abstract The paper relates that India has a socially ingrained and structured system, the castesystem, that inculcates and perpetuates differences and inequality. The paper discusses how those in the higher and more respected castes often receive more social status and recognition while those in the lowest castes are subject to a life of poverty and social denial from which they cannot escape. The paper explains, however, that the problems underlying the inequalities perpetuated by the castesystem are closely linked to religious views, which makes them difficult to eradicate.
From the Paper "The term caste refers to "... ranked, named, endogamous (in-marrying) groups, membership in which is achieved by birth. "(India Caste system, ancient India Caste System) There are literarily thousands of different castes and sub-castes in India. They are also extremely complex in their structure and can be kinship based and also interdependent with other groups. Castes are, "...linked in complex ways with networks that stretch across regions and throughout the nation." (India Caste system, ancient India Caste System)"
Abstract The paper describes the history of the castesystem in India, depicting the levels and ranks of the system and their interaction with each other. The paper shows how, in modern India, the traditions of caste are different in villages and in urban areas. The paper discusses how there are still many instances of discrimination based on caste, but concludes that the people of India may soon realize that the human rights of its indigenous population are an important part of the balance of a democracy.
Outline:
Introduction
Levels/Ranks
Intercaste Relations
Changes in the System Village Vs. Urban
Conclusion
From the Paper "India is one of the most fascinating countries in the entire world. It has a culture teeming with attractive fashions, exotic foods, interesting religions, and much more. Some even say that India is becoming the "new Hollywood," as so-called Bollywood movies are becoming more and more popular. India is also one of the largest political democracies in the world. However, behind the glamour of this exotic society lie many things that tourists usually fail to see. Most of the people of India live in conditions of poverty, usually forced on them by their places in religious or class systems. Although India has become independent from the British, and has become a democratic society, it "... is a hierarchical society... in daily life there is little advocacy of or adherence to notions of equality.""
Abstract The paper details the history of India's castesystem. The paper discusses the system of social class in modern India and how it is detrimental to the incorporation of democracy into Indian society. The paper maintains that the people of India should advocate more changes to dissolve the harshest cultural traditions, so as to enforce equality and better the lives of their citizens.
Outline:
Introduction
CasteSystem Government Not Doing Enough
Lingering Traditions
Government Should Campaign for Attitude Change
Government Should Better Enforce Equality
Conclusion
From the Paper "India is one of the most fascinating countries in the entire world. It has a culture teeming with attractive fashions, exotic foods, interesting religions, and much more. However, behind the glamour of this exotic society lie many things that tourists usually fail to see. Although India has become independent from the British, and has become a democratic society, it "... is a hierarchical society... in daily life there is little advocacy of or adherence to notions of equality." Most of the people of India live in conditions of poverty, usually forced on them by their places in religious or class systems. As India continues to move toward adopting Western principles in politics and technology, its people need to realize that the human rights of its indigenous population are an important part of the balance of a democracy, because as long as there are still vestiges of the caste system present in Indian society, then its people will not be prepared for modernization to take place. Therefore, the government should be taking more steps to ensure the dissolution of traditional Indian hierarchy and promoting a more encompassing move toward liberal democracy."
Abstract This paper explores the castesystem in Indian society, focusing on the lowest class of humans, the 'chandalas' or the 'untouchables' who are the mixed offspring of different castes. The paper provides an historical background of the castesystem which came into being around 600-664CE. It then looks at the situation of the untouchables who are denied many social and religious privileges and the role the Indian government plays in trying to intervene to overcome this discrimination. The paper discusses the future of the castesystem, especially the situation of the disadvantaged.
From the Paper "The longevity of the caste system is rooted in traditional Hindu thinking. The caste system was not born overnight, but had evolved over three millennia, adapting to the innumerable migrations and invasions of diverse peoples, before becoming what it is today (Paz 44). Thus, the Indian government has an uphill battle in attempting to overturn the prejudices of the caste system. Apart from increasing the quotas of the jobs to the backward classes and the scheduled castes, the government should improve their access to education ("Casting" 18). Currently, only 62% of Indians complete primary education with less than half enrolled in secondary school. In order to promote the causes of the disadvantaged classes, education will be a key factor in enabling them to rise above the prejudices of the caste system. Furthermore, with the rise of urbanization and Western influence, the power of the caste system has diminished in the cities. In the distant future, the ideal Indian society can be created?one that respects the essential role of the caste system in endowing each individual with a sense of lineage and identity, without the dire discrimination perpetrated against the backward classes and the scheduled castes."
Abstract The paper analyzes and compares three historians' exploration of the distinctive, ancient origins and purposes of the Hindu castesystem from the early 19th to the late 20th centuries. The paper looks at Julius Lipner's "Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices", John Hutton's "Caste in India" and James Mill's "The History of British India". The paper shows how each historian approached the subject in different manners, utilizing contrasting sources and historical philosophies, in order to establish their respective viewpoints.
Outline:
Julius Lipner's "Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices" (1994)
John Hutton's "Caste in India" (1946)
James Mill's "The History of British India" (1817)
Conclusion
From the Paper "As human beings, we attempt with varying degrees of success to understand the multiple paradigms of existence that shape our lives in both subtle and profound ways. These paradigms manifest themselves as society, religion, economics, politics, and in other ways that constitute our reality. For the modern historian, it is an impossible yet persistent goal to step back from these various paradigms and describe and interpret events of the past with full objectivity. The impossibility of objectivity, at least in historical scholarship, stems from the inability to completely separate oneself from one's emotions, prejudices, and overall context in time. Indeed, total objectivity implies the unfeasible detachment from the characteristics of our humanness. To believe in the ability to attain full objectivity in historical study and authorship is to imagine human history as a science with clear cause and effect relationships."
Abstract This paper discusses the cosmogonic myth of 'Purusa' upon which the traditional castesystem in India is based. The paper explains that this system places the Brahmin (the most pure) at the top, the Ksatriya below them, the Vaisya below the Ksatriya, and, at the bottom, the Sudra, and that this placement is supposed to be symbiotic rather than oppressive. The paper then puts forth the argument that purity was not intended as selective attribute, but is an idea that arose from the Vedic Brahmins, those who thought themselves as the most esteemed piece of Puru a; therefore, purity is a man-made conception - one that should have no bearing on one's capabilities or aspirations in this life or in one's pursuit to reach m k a.
From the Paper "Yet Hinduism is more than an amalgamation of a purity-centric caste institution developed under the steady hands of Vedic Brahmins. Especially in the past century, much has been done to raise "social awareness about the evils of institutionalized discrimination, especially against untouchables and women" (Lipner 123). As India develops further and becomes increasingly inter-connected with the rest of the world, the socially positive and aspiring aspects of Hinduism ought to take more precedent over the out-dated traditions of caste restriction and oppression. The cosmogonic Puru a myth is not a divinely ordained blank check to the highest caste or those who hold the most esteemed positions, as the Vedic Brahmins happily promulgated, but rather it is a myth that espouses the interconnectedness of all things in one body or universe; so that if one part is damaged, all parts are affected adversely. This is the message of the Puru a myth. From this egalitarian message it can be said that it is through action not birth that one's cosmic endeavor is furthered."
Abstract This paper examines the classification, or caste, system that exists in Hindu societies and the purposes. The author discusses the Brahmins, who are priests and scholars; the Kshatrias, warriors and rulers; the Vaishyas, who pursue commerce and trades; and the Shudras, serfs who serve and support the three higher groups.
From the Paper:
"The Western idea of knowledge and wisdom almost always, it seems, has a material purpose, to master physical problems in physical ways. The Hindu idea is to master what is physical to be liberated from physical concern altogether. Thus it seems true that in general all cultures, human development can be described as the process from childhood to youth to adulthood to old age. It also seems true that all cultures can be said to desire wisdom and knowledge. But the real importance of the whole process is judged by each culture's priorities, which are not the same in Hinduism, in Buddhism, and in the West."
Tags: hindu, buddha, brahmin, caste, varna, shudra, india, samsara, dharma
Abstract This paper examines the system of Untouchables within the context of Eastern religions and Indian society. It discusses the tradition of the castesystem in India. The paper also discusses what connection, if any, there is between the castesystem and the Untouchables, and Hinduism. It concludes that the Untouchables are not a Hindu concept, but are rather based on Indian tradition and culture.
From the Paper "While it seems fair to conclude that the system of discriminating against a caste of people known as the Untouchables persists in India to this day, and that this results in systemic discrimination against millions of people, it also seems fair to conclude that the blame should not be laid at the door of Hinduism. After all, many academics agree that it is a system which has arisen out of historical factors, and that it manifests primarily in economic, social and political outcomes. Therefore, while it is fair to see the system as problematic, it is not fair to therefore see Hinduism as some kind of "primitive" religion. On the contrary, great Hindus such as Gandhi have spoken out against the system. It is also unfair to look down on India as a whole because of this system. After all, most social systems retain some kind of discrimination based on historical factors. For example, women are still discriminated against in Western society to this day - and worldwide, there are still pitifully few female leaders of countries. Thus, we might simply conclude that the Untouchable system is simply one more manifestation of the reality that all human societies so far have failed to achieve equality."
A thorough examination of the origins of Hindu practice, including various disciplines of yoga, ayurvedic medicine, the concept and meaning of chakras and the castesystem.
Abstract This paper offers a history of the origins and practices of Hinduism from a sympathetic, yet still scholarly perspective. It explores the philosophical underpinnings of the belief system and its development through various disciplines of yoga and the practice of ayurvedic medicine. Explication of the concept of chakras and their relevance to yoga and ayurveda is also provided. The paper also offers insight into broader Indian perspectives of Hindu beliefs in general and the castesystem in particular.
From the Paper "It is perhaps this suspension of Western societal or moral judgement that makes cross-cultural study such a challenging and difficult endeavor for students and scholars outside India. If we are to grow as a global community however, we must make every effort to bridge these intellectual and philosophical gaps in order to learn and appreciate wisdom that does not always speak in our tongue. Likewise, because not all of any one social construct or philosophy, Eastern or Western, offers nothing but truth and beauty, we must also maintain a wide range of knowledge regarding the errors of other ways, in order to best assess the efficacy of the paths that we might choose."
Tags: eastern, hindism, india, philosophy, religion
Abstract This paper discusses how the way the family interacted and worked as a collective unit towards a common goal has barely changed since the early signs of organized living and caring for kin. The Medieval families dealt with many different situations, but the backbone of their life still remains the same today. It examines how the basic peasant family lived and interacted, revolved around their environment and the standards of living at the time, as well as family interaction, neighborhoods and rivalries which owed to medieval culture after the dissolution of the castesystem and serfs/serfdom. It concludes that the average nuclear family unit has kept the same basic principles and practices through the ages.
Times have changed with technology and several variables or factors may have changed slightly, but it is still parallel. Families have and always will be centered around a home, raising of children by parents to prepare them for the future and each generation's effort to improve the family status one notch higher than that of their parents?.
From the Paper "The survival of a family is largely dependent on being able to supply the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter). Although the way that these needs are supplied has changed from direct (farms, home craft) to indirect (monetary salary) sources; the concept of material environment and importance of this supply has remained the same.
?A commonplace in describing peasants is that they are bound to the ground or chained to the soil, so that is appropriate to begin a discussion of peasant families by looking at their material environment.? In the middle ages, groups of families formed villages out of their houses and fields, each village had a center of commerce and merchants, surrounded by houses and fields. Similarly today, groups of families settle around urban centers and live in surrounding suburbs."
Abstract This essay in Caribbean thought is in two parts. The first part is a critical discussion of the "disappearance" of the castesystem and the peaceful relations between Muslim and Hindu in Caribbean contexts. The second part of this paper is a critical analysis of the "invisibility" of Indian and south Asian identity in Caribbean theory and discourse
Abstract Fredrick Appel is one of the few that carefully agrees with Nietzsche's alternative to democracy in his work, "Nietzsche Contra Democracy". This paper examines Nietzsche's proposal for a castesystem. For Nietzsche, democracy creates an illusion were everyone thinks they are right and seldom seeks advice from their betters. In a well-ordered society, everyone has their place, and the lower-ordered human beings are honored to seek and follow the advice of their betters. In such a society, everyone is working together to reach a better ultimate goal, whatever that goal may be.
From the Paper "In a caste system, "the natural slave would flourish - in his own limited manner... in a properly ordered society the natural slave finds an intrinsic satisfaction in the fulfillment of his or her limited capacities" (Appel, 129). It is refreshing to think that even a man such as a slave could find a harmonious satisfaction with life, instead of forgetting his own significant virtues and attempting to strive for those he does not attain or need. This type of satisfaction that is born out of a caste system leads to everyone treating one another with respect. Jealousy and envy towards the Jones's is diminished, and a life trying to keep up with the Jones's is recognized as unsatisfying and, actually, never considered. In Nietzsche's words, "For the mediocre, it is happiness to be mediocre" (Appel, 129)."
An analysis of the book "Cracking India" by Bapsi Sidhwa looking into the socio-political setting of the book, and a deeper look into Indian's social and religious castesystems.
2,003 words (approx. 8 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 63.95
Abstract This paper examines the historical context of the characters of the book "Cracking India". It explains how the novel is a testament of Sidhwa's defiance and disagreement to the Partition, which the author believed was a political action implemented to induce disunity among the Indians. The writer further discusses the religious and social castesystems and their impact on British occupation.
From the Paper "This was the socio-political landscape in which Sidhwa's characters found themselves in in "Cracking." Through the main characters Lenny and Ayah, we, the readers, were able to witness how the Partition was perceived and interpreted by people within the Indian society. Sidhwa's characters were evidently not able to grasp the gravity of the political condition their country was in. As India entered into the agreement called the Partition, glaring and antagonistic diversity emerged, creating disunity and inciting violence among people of various cultures and religious beliefs."
A research paper that illustrates how the castesystem, religious beliefs and culture of India perpetuates lavish consumption of the Indian wedding feast.
Abstract This research paper attempts to show that the Indian Hindu wedding feast has changed its form and content, but its meanings in terms of family politics, social and religious norms have not changed. The dissertation includes evidence that can prove that, despite globalization, modernization, and import of western ideas and cultures, the function of the weeding feast has not changed despite the changes in the form and content. In other words, while the cuisine elements due to additional foods and spices being introduced have changed, the tradition of the consumption of food and the meanings behind this consumption have continued to remain the same over time.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Research Questions
Significance of the Research
Methodology
Literature Review
The CasteSystem In India
The Hindu Marriage Ceremony
The Woman in the Society and Family Hierarchy in India
Food, Eating, and the Wedding Feast in India
Review of the Literature Reviewed In this Study
From the Paper "The work of Bloch, Rao and Desai relates that the marriage of a daughter in India in the costliest event in the life of this family which many times results in the parents of the daughter getting into great debt with interest rates "of over 200 percent." The expenditure on food for a wedding is stated to be "more than six times a family's annual income" and many times forces the family into "destitution and bonded labor, especially when there are several daughters to be married." Gender discrimination that occurs in India has been attributed to this specific economic burden."
