In India, the social standing of a person influenced that individual's life in every way possible. Everything from what that person does for a living to how he or she eats is controlled by social status.
Indian Caste System
The Indian Caste System was used to organize people into distinct social classes. This social structure helped focus loyalties on a restricted territory which made empire building very difficult. In this way, castes were used as a substitute for. This system made it easier for the wealthy and powerful to exploit the poor. However, it did provide some social security and support. For example, widows, orphans, and destitutes were cared for within their class, or Varna. There were even means of accommodation for migrants and invaders.
Varnas, the 4 classes that society was believed to be divided into, were believed to be formed from the body of the god Purush. The first three classes, Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaisya, were regarded as pure Aryans, "twice-born". The first birth was the physical birth, and the second was the formal initiation into a Varna and status as Aryan descent. Brahmin, the head of Purusha, were priests which performed rituals and sacrifices to ensure the proper functioning of the world. Kshatriya, the arms of Purusha, were second to the Brahmin. Those that belonged to this Varna include warriors and rulers which were in charge of protecting and governing society. The third varna was Vaisya, the torso of Purusha. Originally, this Varna included commoners who cultivated the land. It later developed into the business class. Below the "twice-borns" were the Sudras and Untouchables classes. Sudras were in a subordinate positions and the class was made up of native peoples and peasants farmers. Untouchables were the lowest of the low. Since ideas of ritual purity and pollution were applied to caste groups, Untouchables had to do the work the was considered most unclean and polluting while the "twice-borns" couldn't come into contact with anything polluting, otherwise, they would be considered "unclean."
Each Varna were divided into jatis, or subcastes, which were social distinctions based on specific occupations. Each jati was organized as guilds which helped to clearly define social position. Marriage and eating together was only permitted within individual's jati. Jatis also had their own dharma, rules, obligations and if those rules were violated, an individual would face the threat of social ostracism.
In addition, individuals couldn't change their social status because it was believed that a person's birth into a certain position in society was determined by good or bad deeds (karma) of a previous life. Individuals belonged into which ever caste they were born into. It was believed, however that rebirth into a higher caste was possible by performance of present caste duties (dharma). Although individuals couldn't raise social status, whole jatis were allowed to improve social standing which allowed for considerable social change in ancient India.
The Indian Caste System was used to organize people into distinct social classes. This social structure helped focus loyalties on a restricted territory which made empire building very difficult. In this way, castes were used as a substitute for. This system made it easier for the wealthy and powerful to exploit the poor. However, it did provide some social security and support. For example, widows, orphans, and destitutes were cared for within their class, or Varna. There were even means of accommodation for migrants and invaders.
Varnas, the 4 classes that society was believed to be divided into, were believed to be formed from the body of the god Purush. The first three classes, Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaisya, were regarded as pure Aryans, "twice-born". The first birth was the physical birth, and the second was the formal initiation into a Varna and status as Aryan descent. Brahmin, the head of Purusha, were priests which performed rituals and sacrifices to ensure the proper functioning of the world. Kshatriya, the arms of Purusha, were second to the Brahmin. Those that belonged to this Varna include warriors and rulers which were in charge of protecting and governing society. The third varna was Vaisya, the torso of Purusha. Originally, this Varna included commoners who cultivated the land. It later developed into the business class. Below the "twice-borns" were the Sudras and Untouchables classes. Sudras were in a subordinate positions and the class was made up of native peoples and peasants farmers. Untouchables were the lowest of the low. Since ideas of ritual purity and pollution were applied to caste groups, Untouchables had to do the work the was considered most unclean and polluting while the "twice-borns" couldn't come into contact with anything polluting, otherwise, they would be considered "unclean."
Each Varna were divided into jatis, or subcastes, which were social distinctions based on specific occupations. Each jati was organized as guilds which helped to clearly define social position. Marriage and eating together was only permitted within individual's jati. Jatis also had their own dharma, rules, obligations and if those rules were violated, an individual would face the threat of social ostracism.
In addition, individuals couldn't change their social status because it was believed that a person's birth into a certain position in society was determined by good or bad deeds (karma) of a previous life. Individuals belonged into which ever caste they were born into. It was believed, however that rebirth into a higher caste was possible by performance of present caste duties (dharma). Although individuals couldn't raise social status, whole jatis were allowed to improve social standing which allowed for considerable social change in ancient India.