Transcript India Caste

Do-Now
Is it easy to
change social
class (moving up
or down) in the
USA? Why or
why not?
Aim:
• How does social stratification develop in
Ancient India?
Brahmins ब्राह्मण
• The class of
educators, scholars
and preachers in
Hinduism
Kshatriya क्षत्र
• constitutes the military and ruling order of
the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system
as outlined by the Vedas
Vaisya
• primarily comprises merchants, cattle-rearers and
artisans,
• In Hindu beliefs, the duties of a Vaisya, as described by
Hindu God Krishna are:
– krsi (growing food grains),
– goraksha (cow protection),
– vanijyam (trade),
– vaisya karma (work)
– svabhavajam (born of his own nature).
Sudra शद्र
ू
• The fourth and lowest class in the caste
system.
• Traditionally Laborers and Peasants
Outcastes= Untouchables=Dalits
•Had occupations regarded as ritually impure,
such as any involving butchering, removal of
rubbish, removal of waste and leatherwork.
•Work as manual labourers, cleaning latrines
and sewers, and clearing away rubbish.
•Engaging in these activities was considered to
be polluting to the individual, and this pollution
was considered contagious.
•As a result, Dalits were commonly
segregated, and banned from full participation
in Hindu social life.
Dharma
• Code of conduct- the
right way to act.
• How did Dharma
contribute to social
stratification?
Karma
• “What goes around comes around”
• How does reincarnation reinforce the
system of castes?