History Caste System

7/22/2019 History Caste System

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HISTORY SEMINAR ON CASTE

SYSTEM IN INDIABY ALAKA PANIGRAHI OF CLASS VIII-A

ROLL NUMBER: 02SOCIAL STUDIES

CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 1



REVIEW OF TIMELINE OF EVENTS


SATYASHODHAK SAMAJ – A.D.1848 RAHNUMAI MAZDAYASAN SABHA –

A.D.1857 PRARTHANA SAMAJ – A.D.1867

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION – A.D.1897 SRI NARAYAN DHARMA PARIPALANA

YOGAM –

A.D.1903 SGPC GETS RIGHTS TO MANAGE THE

GURUDWARAS – A.D.1925 HARIJAN MAGAZINE BY GANDHIJI –

A.D.1933

BRAHMO MANDIR – A.D.1887



INTRODUCTION

After attacking the negative social

customs and practices, the reformers

targeted the rigid division of castes

and discriminatory practices.

There were major social reformmovements during the British period

that protested against the social

inequality and discrimination which

existed in our society.

According to reformers, reforms incaste system would lead to the

upliftment of society and

communities. This would bring unity

among people and thus the spirit of

nationalism could be betterunderstood.




ORIGIN OF CASTE SYSTEM

The following are the theories for the origin of Caste system:

Political Theory

Racial Theory

Occupational Theory

Traditional Theory

Religious Theory

Evolutionary Theory

The exact origin of caste system cannot be traced. The system is said tohave originated in India. The records of the Indo-Aryan culture contain

the first mention and a continuous history of the factors that make up

caste.

In India, a caste system organizes division of labour and money in human

society. It is a system of social stratification.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 4



CLASSES OF CASTE

A caste in the early Vedic periodwas a division of the societybased on occupation as follows:

BR HMINS – Priests

KSH TRIY S – Warriors V ISHY S – Traders andFarmers

SHUDR S – Labourers

CH ND L S – Anti shudras

or untouchables Caste systems became rigid and

it became something permanenta person was born into.




THE PRACTICE OFUNTOUCHABILITY

Worst aspect of the caste system.

They did dirty works and the nature

of the work involved dirt and germs.

Were referred as dirty and polluting

hence untouched. The works included cleaning toilets,

washing clothes, burying or

cremating the dead, sweeping the

streets and skinning dead animals.

They were forbidden entry into

Upper caste houses, temples,

hospitals and other public places.

Millions of people across India

therefore led the most wretched lives

just because of an accident of birth.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 6



HOW WAS THE CASTE SYSTEMENFORCED?

The kings were empowered to punish those who violated the

caste system.

The priests quoted from law books written by sages like Manu

to assert their authority. They used superstition to scare the ignorant masses into

submission.

As early as the 6 th century BC , thinkers like Mahavira and

Buddha raised their voice against the injustices of the system.

From the 8 th century onwards the Bhakti saints taught that all

humans were equal, and that there was no religious sanction for

the caste system. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 7



MERITS OF THE CASTESYSTEM

1 Harmonious Division of Society: Everyone was free to attain the highest

social dignity. The classification was based on some scientific principles

namely heredity and economy of labour.

2 Caste Systems as a Constitution of Hindu Society: The caste system has

rendered most important service in the past and still continues to sustainorder and solidarity.

3 A Source for the Evolution of Higher Race: The constitution of caste

comprises certain sanctions and prohibition about marriage.

4 A Source of Stability and Contentment: Caste system has provided adefinite professional career to each individual.

5. Caste promotes the spirit of cooperation and fellow-feeling at least

within its range. It helps the poor, the needy and strengthens group

sentiment. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 8



DEMERITS OF THE CASTESYSTEM

1. Social Disorganisation

2. Political Disunity

3. Practice of Untouchability

4. Despotism of Upper Caste

5. Religious Conversions6. Lower Status of Women

7. Hindrance in National Unity

8. Denies Mobility of Labour

9. Retards Solidarity10. Obstacle to Social Progress

11. Opposes democracy

12. Stands in the way of modernization

13. Creates the feeling of casteism

14. Check on economic and intellectual advancement and social reformsCHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 9



WESTERN INDI ND M H R SHTR

LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TO

CASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS

OF INDIA CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 10



JOTIBA PHULE {1827-1890}

The Satyashodhak Samaj was

established in 1848 by him.

He earned the title of „ Mahatma‟.

Welcomed everyone into the Samaj

without any distinction of casteand religion.

Opposed the Brahmins claim of

superiority.

He said for god, all humans wereequal.

Performing marriage ceremonies

without Brahmin priests.

Ideas are compiled in Satya Shodh.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 11



GOPAL HARI DESHMUKH

Gopal Hari Deshmukh was

another prominent social

reformer in Maharashtra.

He attacked the priestlyclasses and the caste

system.

He was called Lokahitwadi

for his efforts towards

social reforms.




RANADE AND BHANDARKAR

Prarthana Samaj, a movement for

religious and social reform in

Maharashtra, was based on earlier

reform movements and traditions.

It was formed in 1894 by RamBalkrishna Jaykar and others in

Mumbai.

Mahadev Govind Ranade founded

the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and

the Prarthana Samaj along with

Ramakrishna Bhandarkar.

They believed in the emancipation

of women and the oppressed classes

and ending caste system. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 13



SOUTH INDI ND NDHR

LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TOCASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OFINDIA




VEERASALINGAM {1848- 1919}

Kandukuri Veerasalingam fought

vigorously against social evils and

heralded a social revolution in Andhra

Pradesh.

Encouraged inter caste marriages.

Avid leader and a great writer. He was

the author of the first Telugu novel,

Rajashekhara Charitra.

Constructed the first Brahmo Mandir in

AP in 1887 and the Hithakarini School

in 1908. Started a home for widows and a

magazine in Telugu called Viveka

Vardhini.

Started a weekly called Satyavadhini

and started a school for girls inDowlaiswaram.




PERIYAR RAMASWAMI{1879-1973}

A staunch atheist in Tamil Nadu,

Periyar Ramaswami devoted his life

fighting the caste system and the

dominance of the Brahmins.

He is commonly called E V Ramasami.

Founded an organization called

Dravida Kazhgam for the benefits of

the Dalits.

This organization fought for the

reservation of government jobs for theDalits and downtrodden.

As a result of this agitation, the first

amendment in the Indian constitution

was made to safeguard the rights of

discriminated Indians.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 16



CONTINUATION…..

Believed that all men and women

should be given equal opportunities to

develop.

Was against the superiority of the

Brahmins, who according to him, were

Aryans descended from the North,

oppressing the local Dravidians.

Started the Self-respect Movement to

safeguard the rights of the Dravidian

people.

Was a prominent leader of the Justice

Party .

Believed that equality would become a

reality only when the caste system was

eradicated.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 17



SRI NARAYANA GURU{1854-1939}

Founded the Sri Narayana Dharma

Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in 1903 in

Kerala.

He gave the call “one religion, one caste

and one God for Mankind”.

Fought for the emancipation of the

oppressed in society, especially for the

Ezhavas.

Laid the foundation of many temples

without the images of gods and

goddesses. Established the Aruvipuram temple

where people of all castes were allowed

entry.

Established educational institutions for

the progress of Dalits. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 18



TEACHINGS OF NARAYANAGURU

Oru jaathi oru matham orudaivam manushyanu – Allhumans have just one caste,one religion and one god.

Any religion will suffice, if itmakes a person a betterhuman.

Knowledge is power, so gain

freedom through education.Unity is strength, so unite

and fight for your rights.




E STERN INDI

LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TOCASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OFINDIA




SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Disciple of Ramakrishna

Paramhansa, a popular religious

teacher in 19 th century Bengal.

Founded the Ramakrishna

Mission in 1897 to propagate theteachings of his guru.

He strongly condemned the caste

system and urged his countrymen

to work for the upliftment of the poor.

He instilled in their minds a sense

of pride and patriotism by

reminding them of their country‟s

rich and ancient culture. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 21



RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY

He founded the BrahmoSabha in 1828.

The Brahmo Samaj reflectedthe ideologies of the Bengal

Renaissance. The maindoctrine was that they wereagainst the caste system.

In all fields of social reform,including abolition of the

caste and dowry system,emancipation of women, andimproving the educationalsystem.




BENGAL RENAISSANCE

The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reformmovement during the 19 th and early 20 th centuries inthe region of Bengal during the British rule (before

partition of Bengal).19 th century Bengal was marked by a unique blend of

religious and social reformers, scholars, literary giants, journalists, patriotic orators and scientists, allmerging to form the image of a renaissance- transition from the „medieval‟ to the „modern‟.




MAHATMA GANDHI {1869- 1948}

His greatest achievement in the

field of social reform was the

campaign against the inhuman

institution of untouchability,

which had degraded millions ofIndians.

He coined the term Harijan which

meant the children of god. and

started a magazine called Harijan

in 1933. He declared that this was no less

important than the political

struggle for freedom.

Untouchabiltity had no sanction in

the Hindu scriptures. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 24



CONTINUATION…….

He knew that there could be no true

freedom for India as long as millions

of Indians suffered from the scourge

of untouchability.

He led by an example. In his ashram, people of all castes were together and

he personally washed the toilets of

his ashram to show people that such

tasks did not make anyone dirty. He

ate food and drank water from thehomes of Harijans something

orthodox Hindus would never have

considered.

Harijan Sevak Sangh, also known as

the Anti Untouchability League wasestablished b him.




B.R.AMBEDKAR {1891-1956}

The architect of the Indian Constitution,

devoted his entire life to fight against

caste oppression.

Organized the All India Scheduled

Castes Federation for this purpose. His

first published work was a paper onCastes in India: their mechanism, genesis

and development.

Insisted on the necessity of separate

electorates for the oppressed classes. But

Mahatma Gandhi was against this. An agreement called the Poona Pact was

reached through which the idea of

separate electorates for the oppressed

classes were abandoned, but the seats

reserved for them in the legislatures were

increased. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 26



CONTINUATION…….

Studied Law and Economics at the London

School of Economics. Started a weekly

called Mooknayak ( Leader of the Silent) in

Mumbai.

He started an organization called

Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha. As a member of the Mumbai Legislative

Council in 1926, he led non violent protest

to assert the right of the untouchables to

enter temples and draw water from public

wells and tanks.

Was declined admission to the temple

because he was a Dalit and had to undergo

humiliations.

Urged the Dalits to cast aside religious

taboos that bound them to servitude.

Towards the end of his life, he adoptedBuddhist faith.




ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THECASTE SYSTEM

Social injustices like untouchability and discrimination were

given the sanction of religion. The upper castes oppressed the

lower castes. This created economic and social inequalities

across the country for generations.With several sub castes arising, Indian society became

fragmented. People were identified with caste and they had no

sense of nationalism and rarely united against a threat to the

nation. Caste systems were hindrances to individual progress, they did

not recognize individual talent. This encouraged incompetence

and affected the quality of the Indian society.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 29



IMPACT OF REFORMMOVEMENTS

Reformers‟ untiring efforts responsible for awakening the people. Due

to this the British government passed laws abolishing practices like sati

and child marriage.

All were treated equally and this feeling of oneness led to the growth of

nationalism.

After the freedom of India, untouchability became punishable by law.

Affirmative action, i.e., a set of actions taken to remove existing

discrimination and to remedy the effects of past discrimination, was

taken by government. Dalits and tribals were scheduled into this Affirmative action by

including them in the 9 th schedule of the Constitution. They were given

new names of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The shudras were

called other backward castes(OBCs).CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 30



CONTINUATION………

Reserved quotas for them in governing

bodies, government offices andinstitutions of higher education. This

was done to ensure oppressed peoplecompeting equally with others. Through

this there has been slow improvement oflives of the backward people.

The live example is Mayawati Kumari.Despite being a Dalit woman, she

became the chief minister of UP in 2007

with a thumping majority. Leader of theBahujan Samaj Party(BSP), her rise to

the post of the chief minister of one ofthe most politically powerful states of

India, is a proof of how things havechanged in India.




CONCLUSION

Challenging age old perceptions of social inequality and justicethrough mass movements became possible through books,newspapers and magazines that helped to circulate new ideasamongst the common people.

The British were careful not to arouse the hostility of theorthodox sections of the society.

So the reforming Indian society became possible only by the government of free India.

The struggle against the evils of the caste system still continuesto move and it is an uphill tasks before the Indians.

Hoping to see the beautifully reformed India ahead!!!!!




BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/merits-and-demerits-of-indian-caste-system-essay/4096/

http://www.shareyouressays.com/87475/essay-on-merits-and-demerits-of-caste-system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India http://www.slideshare.net/danigrose/caste-system-ppt

Milestones social studies book by Madhubun Publications.Chapter 09 Challenging the caste system from pages 72 to 75.

Getting Ahead in Social Science with CCE by Orient BlackSwan Publications. Chapter 10 of Challenging the Caste system from pages 70 to 74.






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India

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