The Caste System of India

Outline
There are three main aspects within Indian society which effect ones status within it. These are:
Class Caste Gotra (or family lineage)

The Caste / Class System

Traditionally, there are four main classes, or varnas, within India. They are the way of life for Hindus, rather than a religious principle.
BRAHMINS or philosphers
These are the most respected members of society. They are the providers of religious and spiritual activities and are thought to have great wisdom as the direct descendents from founding sages. As the highest social group, Brahmins are the recievers of gifts and public worship.

KSHATRIYA or warriors
Next, this group are the providers defense. They govern in times of peace, but protect within times of war or conflict.

VAISYA or traders
The next group are specialist traders within cloth, jewels, spices, thread, metals perfume. They are responsible for the economic pursuits of India and offer stability a fourth of their produce must be sold to qualify for this caste. and economic

SUDRA or service providers

At the lowest end of the system are the Sudra, those who provide services to the upper three classes careers which are deemed less acceptable.

However, one can only marry within their own caste and their profession must stay within their that caste. For example, a carpet maker could not marry The divide between the Sudras and the a warrior, nor become a upper three classes became so wide that eventually, sections of the warrior. Sudra caste became the Untouchables: they lived

outside of villages, could not share food or water and lived in isolation. This was accepted by all as it was a way of life.

Gotra
Another REALLY IMPORTANT aspect to your position is your family hertiage To really confuse things, it is separate from the caste system you belong to. ie: two people can be from the same blood line but be in two completely different castes.

 Hindus believe that humanity came from various clans of which were formed by the rishi or sages. (The highest social
group, Brahmins, are claimed to be direct descendents of these sages)

As these clans grow, more bloodlines are formed due to marriages within other clans or new beliefs. Because of this, sub-divisions form. Due to all of these different bloodlines and families which form, Hindus are born into different classes, even though they may be distantly related.
For example

Even though this circle and triangle were born into different castes, their blood line is, on one side, the same, meaning that they are distantly related.

Impact of the Caste System

Politics
Under the Mongul Empire, politics and caste had been kept separate due to its monarch structure. As the Empire dissolved, violence errupted and Britain gained control over India, the two began to merge. In 1858, Britain attempted to abolish the remaining Mongul influence and Islam religion. This ultimately made Muslims feel isolated and threatened by Hinduism and in 1906, founded the Muslim League. Politics and religion had combined together, acting as the catalyst for later political-religious groups and promotions.

It also removed the previous social and politcal boundaries. Caste began to play a huge role in party ideology as well as the police, judical issues and privileges. Even today, the All India Brahmin Association works to unite the upper classes of the Caste System politically, promoting radical views of Aryan purity.

 Religion
The castes are ordered in regard to religion over politics or the economy and this shows how religion is deemed more important, contrasting Western society. Even today, despite politcal protests against the system before and after independence in 1947 (such as the Dalit Movement, aiming to uplift the spirits of the lower castes) and the increased flexibility such as marriage between castes being more acceptable, the Caste System is still prominent and defining of Indian culture, despite being suppressive.

 Economy
The lowest sector, the Sudras, are the majority of the Indian population. This means that, combined with the traders, India has a huge base of revenue. As castes could not marry other castes, the professions and staple industries still remain profitable and productive throughout centuries. Due to this, Indian government has a steady flow of revenue, undoubtedly contributing to its wealth and stability as a country, even today.