Changing Society New Castes and Hierarchies

In India, the clan and caste structure has been in place since ancient times. Even these systems, however, have evolved over time. Castes based on people's occupations, which became known as Jatis, were one such unusual evolution. India is known for being a diversified country with roots that can be traced back hundreds of years. Many people struggle to comprehend the pervasiveness of hierarchy in our culture. Let's start with some background information on India's class, caste, and hierarchy.

The hierarchical society began in the family unit, with men ranking higher than women regardless of age. Not only that, but the older members of the family have a higher status than the younger members of the family. When it comes to hierarchy in India, the social grouping that comes to mind is Caste. Groups and castes were assigned to people based on their social standing and vocation. Brahmins as priests, Kshatriyas as kings, Vaishyas as merchants or farmers, and Shudras as artisans or servants were the four primordial Castes.

Indian Settlements in Hierarchy: Emergence of New Castes

People will demand new talents as the economy and society evolve. As a result, lesser castes or "jatis" began to arise within varnas. The Brahmanas appeared among the new castes, just as the Brahmanas did. Apart from these new tribes, several social groupings were incorporated into society and granted the status of jatis, which was based on a caste system.

Different jatis were assigned to specialized artisans groups like carpenters, masons, and smiths by the Brahmanas. However, rather than varnas, jatis became the primary organizing principle in society. New Rajput clans within the Kshatriyas were powerful and continued to flourish throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, belonging to various lineages. They were known as Hubas, Chandelas, Chalukyas, and others, some of whom had previously been tribes.

These clans were known as Rajputs, and they were progressively supplanted by older monarchs as a developed society emerged, with rulers continuing to increase their wealth in order to build a powerful state.

The Rajput clans' steady development and expansion to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Other tribes became part of the caste system as a result of the Brahmanas' backing, eventually joining the ruling classes. However, the majority of them were caste members of the lowest jatis.

Not only that, but the Isla had been adopted by many tribes, including those in the Punjab, Sind, and the North-West Frontier. As a result, many of them continued to oppose the caste system and denied that the orthodox Hindus would tolerate an unequal social order.

Four Castes in India

According to the caste hierarchy in India, the Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (rulers, administrators, and warriors), Vaishyas (artisans, merchants, tradesmen, and farmers), and Shudras (workers, merchants, and farmers) were the four classes (labouring classes). Each Varna has its own set of life principles to follow, and infants must adhere to the Varna's core customs, norms, conduct, and beliefs.

The Dalits, or untouchables, were the lowest caste, handling meat and rubbish, though there is significant controversy about whether this caste existed in antiquity. This caste system appeared to be only a reflection of one's vocation at first, but it was eventually considered to be decided by one's birth, and one was not allowed to change castes or marry into a caste other than one's own. This concept reflected the belief in a superior deity who imposed an eternal order on human life.

During the Vedic period, which lasted from 1500 to 1000 BCE, the caste system was implemented and recognized in ancient India. People were divided into castes depending on their Varna in order to decongest one's life's responsibilities, protect a caste's purity, and establish eternal order.

The belief in the attainment of moksha by diligent behaviour is the underlying cause for adhering to Varna’s responsibilities. Belief in Karma strengthens one's belief in the Varna life ideals. According to the Vedas, it is a human's ideal duty to seek freedom from subsequent birth and death and to relieve oneself of soul transmigration, which is feasible if one follows the responsibilities and principles of one's appropriate Varna. Consistent intrusion on others' life obligations, according to the Vedas, leads to an unstable society.

The fourfold character of society is made up of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, each with its own set of life responsibilities and ideal disposition. The men of the first three hierarchical societies are known as the twice-born; first, they are born of their parents, and then, after the holy thread initiation they wear over their shoulders, they are born of their guru. The Vedas appear to be the forerunners of the Varna system, which was later extended and altered in the Upanishads and Dharma Shastras.

The Brahmins, who were mostly teachers and intellectuals and thought to have come from Brahma's head, were at the top of the hierarchy. The Kshatriyas, or warriors and kings, appeared next, apparently from his arms. The Vaishyas, or traders, who were produced from his thighs, took third place. The Shudras, who descended from Brahma's foot and performed all of the menial tasks, were at the bottom of the stack. The primary castes were further subdivided into around 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on a certain occupation.

Conclusion

Thus, in this article we have covered a change in the society structure that led to development of hierarchy of the caste system. In today's world, the caste system is also very prominent and people are very sensitive about their castes and sometimes it leads to many issues. Though untouchability has been abolished and conditions of lower level people have been improved than before, a lot of social improvement is still required.