INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM
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Brahmin
A Brahmin is a member of the Highest caste or ‘status’ in the Indian caste system. Priests and scholars are classified as Brahmins and are believed to be twice born. All Brahmins are exempt from taxes and could not be sentenced to death or tortured. A Brahmins main role in life is to teach Vedas and perform religious ceremonies. Brahmins are important because they teach and give spiritual guidance.
A Brahmin is a member of the Highest caste or ‘status’ in the Indian caste system. Priests and scholars are classified as Brahmins and are believed to be twice born. All Brahmins are exempt from taxes and could not be sentenced to death or tortured. A Brahmins main role in life is to teach Vedas and perform religious ceremonies. Brahmins are important because they teach and give spiritual guidance.
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Kshatriya
Kshatriya's are of the second highest caste in the Indian caste system and are also twice born, but still have to pay tax. People of this class have held power for centuries in India. Kshatriyas are always the first in battle and are considered very courageous. A Kshatriya is a ruler, warrior or protector. A Kshatriya’s main role in life is to protect people and animals; especially women, children, Brahmin’s and cows. Kshatriyas are important because of their bravery and protective duties.
Kshatriya's are of the second highest caste in the Indian caste system and are also twice born, but still have to pay tax. People of this class have held power for centuries in India. Kshatriyas are always the first in battle and are considered very courageous. A Kshatriya is a ruler, warrior or protector. A Kshatriya’s main role in life is to protect people and animals; especially women, children, Brahmin’s and cows. Kshatriyas are important because of their bravery and protective duties.
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Vaishya
Vaishyas are of the third highest caste in the Indian societyand are twice born. There is quite large tax paying given to people of this caste. Vaishyas are merchants and focus on farming, agriculture and trading. They are also involved in skilled labour and land ownership. Vaishyas very much value education, especially religious education.
Vaishyas are of the third highest caste in the Indian societyand are twice born. There is quite large tax paying given to people of this caste. Vaishyas are merchants and focus on farming, agriculture and trading. They are also involved in skilled labour and land ownership. Vaishyas very much value education, especially religious education.
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Shudra
Shudras are in the lowest of the four caste in the Indian society; although they are still considered higher than an untouchable. Shudras are the only caste not allowed to be employed and are treated more as slaves. Shudras pay tax, but not tax as high as Vaishyas. A shudra’s main role in life is to work for the other three caste or ‘Varna’s’. Shudra’s face a large amount of discrimination from higher caste.
Shudras are in the lowest of the four caste in the Indian society; although they are still considered higher than an untouchable. Shudras are the only caste not allowed to be employed and are treated more as slaves. Shudras pay tax, but not tax as high as Vaishyas. A shudra’s main role in life is to work for the other three caste or ‘Varna’s’. Shudra’s face a large amount of discrimination from higher caste.
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UntouchablesIn modern day India, the Untouchables are known as Dalits. The Untouchables are considered irrelevant and below all of the other caste in Indian society. Untouchables are not even considered a caste. They are treated very badly and have jobs such as toilet and sewage cleaning. Untouchables are not even payed for their services and people would refuse to physically touch an Untouchable.
Untouchables tasks included cleaning toilets, and sewage. Punishments for not completing these jobs satisfactory or touching a person of a higher caste included torture or even death. The punishment for an Untouchable taking part in any kind of religious practice would be pouring hot melted led into their ear. This would most probably lead to deafness and in most cases death as well.
The name ‘Untouchables’ has been changed to ‘Dalits’ because there has been a number of new laws put into place to make life for Dalits today more bearable and fair. It would definitely be better to be a slave than an Untouchable because slaves are treated a considerable amount better and slaves have a lot more rights.
Untouchables tasks included cleaning toilets, and sewage. Punishments for not completing these jobs satisfactory or touching a person of a higher caste included torture or even death. The punishment for an Untouchable taking part in any kind of religious practice would be pouring hot melted led into their ear. This would most probably lead to deafness and in most cases death as well.
The name ‘Untouchables’ has been changed to ‘Dalits’ because there has been a number of new laws put into place to make life for Dalits today more bearable and fair. It would definitely be better to be a slave than an Untouchable because slaves are treated a considerable amount better and slaves have a lot more rights.
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Prabhakar Kamath. 2010. curse of caste system. [ONLINE] Available at: http://nirmukta.com/2010/04/24/the-legacy-of-brahmanism-abomination-of-untouchability-and-curse-of-caste-system/. [Accessed 15 November 13].
national geographic , (2008), untouchable women [ONLINE]. Available at: http://nirmukta.com/2010/04/24/the-legacy-of-brahmanism-abomination-of-untouchability-and-curse-of-caste-system/ [Accessed 18 November 13].
WTF!, (2011), The Untouchables [ONLINE]. Available at: http://wtfcsusm.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/the-untouchables/ [Accessed 18 November 13].
wordpress.com, (2007), Brahmin [ONLINE]. Available at: http://emmaustrekker.wordpress.com/nepal-people-groups/ [Accessed 15 November 13].
hindoe , Vaishya [ONLINE]. Available at: http://hindoe.eu/index.php?c=3&p=7&l=en [Accessed 15 November 13].
Klich, Adam. Untitled. 2006. 27 Sept. 2006 <http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty/hodgson/Courses/so191/Projects2005/AdamK/adamwebpage1on7.html>.
Ali, Syed M., Deo Kernahan, and Peter Ball. Exploriong World Religions: The Canadian Perspective. Toronto: Oxford University Press Canada, 2001.
Ross, Kelly L. The Caste System in Hinduism.. 1 Oct. 2006 <http://www.friesian.com/caste.htm>.