A caste is a fixed social group into which an individual is born within a particular system of social stratification: a caste system. Within such a system, individuals are expected to marry exclusively …

Mar 6, 2025 · Caste systems are reliant on ancient notions of ritual purity but they can still hold contemporary implications for social relationships, marriage, and occupation.

Dec 13, 2025 · Hindus maintain that the proliferation of the castes (jati s, literally “births”) was the result of intermarriage (which is prohibited in Hindu works on dharma), which led to the subdivision of the …

Oct 10, 2024 · Castes are social stratification systems that have existed throughout history in various cultures and societies. They are defined by a hierarchical organization of people based on their birth, …

May 3, 2025 · The caste system in India started over 2,000 years ago and was originally based on jobs. People were born into a caste, which dictated many life aspects like marriage and worship. Despite …

Although the political and social force of the caste system has not disappeared completely, the Indian government has officially outlawed caste discrimination and made widespread reforms.

Originating from ancient Hindu philosophy, particularly evident in the Rigveda’s delineation of four varnas corresponding to distinct functional roles, the caste system has evolved into a complex …

Dec 12, 2025 · The caste system in India is a complex and deeply entrenched social stratification that has shaped the country’s social fabric for centuries. This hierarchical classification divides society …

Mar 13, 2023 · Caste is a complex and multifaceted system that has shaped Indian society for centuries. Its defining features—hereditary membership, endogamy, hierarchy, and notions of …

The word caste also signifies race or kind. The Sanskrit word for caste is Varna that means color. The caste stratification of the Indian society had its origin in the chaturvarna system. According to this …