The caste system is one that is composed of small and ranked groups of persons, each of which is a hereditary endogamous group having a traditional association with an occupation and each is usually associated with more or less distinct ritual status in a hierarchical system based on the concepts of purity and pollution. Caste system in India has a history going back to the Vedic times {1500-800BC}.
The society was divided into four groups, brahmans, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras. Among systems of stratification the Indian caste system is unique. It is uniquely Indian. Not in its rigidity as an institution, but its persistence, adaptability, proliferation, internal schisms, competitions, collusions, combinations and recombination has characterized the caste system as an institution from the Vedic times. The Indian caste system has many flaws.
It never let those at the bottom of the hierarchy to climb up the ladder and live a better life. The caste system also created religious differences among the people of the society. The caste system did not allow the shudras to enter the temples nor were they allowed to use public lakes and wells. They were completely deprived of any good thing.
The caste system is prevailing in India even today. Due to the desperate measures taken by the Indian government the effect of the caste system has been gradually reduced post independence. Now the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are given special preferences at every sector. They are given more opportunities now in order to come forward and match the pace of the present world. They are provided with more chances to reduce the gap between the top and the bottom. The caste system in India is a major hindrance towards the progress and development of the country.
The society was divided into four groups, brahmans, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras. Among systems of stratification the Indian caste system is unique. It is uniquely Indian. Not in its rigidity as an institution, but its persistence, adaptability, proliferation, internal schisms, competitions, collusions, combinations and recombination has characterized the caste system as an institution from the Vedic times. The Indian caste system has many flaws.
It never let those at the bottom of the hierarchy to climb up the ladder and live a better life. The caste system also created religious differences among the people of the society. The caste system did not allow the shudras to enter the temples nor were they allowed to use public lakes and wells. They were completely deprived of any good thing.
The caste system is prevailing in India even today. Due to the desperate measures taken by the Indian government the effect of the caste system has been gradually reduced post independence. Now the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are given special preferences at every sector. They are given more opportunities now in order to come forward and match the pace of the present world. They are provided with more chances to reduce the gap between the top and the bottom. The caste system in India is a major hindrance towards the progress and development of the country.