HISTORY SEMINAR ON CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA

BY ALAKA PANIGRAHI OF CLASS VIII-A ROLL NUMBER: 02 SOCIAL STUDIES

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REVIEW OF TIMELINE OF EVENTS

SATYASHODHAK SAMAJ A.D.1848 RAHNUMAI MAZDAYASAN SABHA A.D.1857 PRARTHANA SAMAJ A.D.1867 BRAHMO MANDIR A.D.1887 RAMAKRISHNA MISSION A.D.1897 SRI NARAYAN DHARMA PARIPALANA YOGAM A.D.1903 SGPC GETS RIGHTS TO MANAGE THE GURUDWARAS A.D.1925 HARIJAN MAGAZINE BY GANDHIJI A.D.1933
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INTRODUCTION
After attacking the negative social customs and practices, the reformers targeted the rigid division of castes and discriminatory practices. There were major social reform movements during the British period that protested against the social inequality and discrimination which existed in our society. According to reformers, reforms in caste system would lead to the upliftment of society and communities. This would bring unity among people and thus the spirit of nationalism could be better CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM understood.

ORIGIN OF CASTE SYSTEM

The following are the theories for the origin of Caste system: Political Theory Racial Theory Occupational Theory Traditional Theory Religious Theory Evolutionary Theory The exact origin of caste system cannot be traced. The system is said to have originated in India. The records of the Indo-Aryan culture contain the first mention and a continuous history of the factors that make up caste. In India, a caste system organizes division of labour and money in human CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 4 society. It is a system of social stratification.

CLASSES OF CASTE
A caste in the early Vedic period was a division of the society based on occupation as follows: BRAHMINS Priests KSHATRIYAS Warriors VAISHYAS Traders and Farmers SHUDRAS Labourers CHANDALAS Anti shudras or untouchables Caste systems became rigid and it became something permanent a person was born into.
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THE PRACTICE OF UNTOUCHABILITY

Worst aspect of the caste system. They did dirty works and the nature of the work involved dirt and germs. Were referred as dirty and polluting hence untouched. The works included cleaning toilets, washing clothes, burying or cremating the dead, sweeping the streets and skinning dead animals. They were forbidden entry into Upper caste houses, temples, hospitals and other public places. Millions of people across India therefore led the most wretched lives CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM just because of an accident of birth.

HOW WAS THE CASTE SYSTEM ENFORCED?

The kings were empowered to punish those who violated the caste system. The priests quoted from law books written by sages like Manu to assert their authority. They used superstition to scare the ignorant masses into submission. As early as the 6th century BC , thinkers like Mahavira and Buddha raised their voice against the injustices of the system. From the 8th century onwards the Bhakti saints taught that all humans were equal, and that there was no religious sanction for the caste system.
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MERITS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

1. Harmonious Division of Society: Everyone was free to attain the highest social dignity. The classification was based on some scientific principles namely heredity and economy of labour. Caste Systems as a Constitution of Hindu Society: The caste system has rendered most important service in the past and still continues to sustain order and solidarity. A Source for the Evolution of Higher Race: The constitution of caste comprises certain sanctions and prohibition about marriage. A Source of Stability and Contentment: Caste system has provided a definite professional career to each individual. Caste promotes the spirit of cooperation and fellow-feeling at least within its range. It helps the poor, the needy and strengthens group sentiment.
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2.

3. 4. 5.

DEMERITS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Social Disorganisation Political Disunity Practice of Untouchability Despotism of Upper Caste Religious Conversions Lower Status of Women Hindrance in National Unity Denies Mobility of Labour Retards Solidarity Obstacle to Social Progress Opposes democracy Stands in the way of modernization Creates the feeling of casteism CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM Check on economic and intellectual advancement and social reforms

WESTERN INDIA AND MAHARASHTRA

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JOTIBA PHULE {1827-1890}

The Satyashodhak Samaj was established in 1848 by him. He earned the title of Mahatma. Welcomed everyone into the Samaj without any distinction of caste and religion. Opposed the Brahmins claim of superiority. He said for god, all humans were equal. Performing marriage ceremonies without Brahmin priests. Ideas are compiled in Satya Shodh.
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GOPAL HARI DESHMUKH

Gopal Hari Deshmukh was another prominent social reformer in Maharashtra. He attacked the priestly classes and the caste system. He was called Lokahitwadi for his efforts towards social reforms.
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RANADE AND BHANDARKAR

Prarthana Samaj, a movement for religious and social reform in Maharashtra, was based on earlier reform movements and traditions. It was formed in 1894 by Ram Balkrishna Jaykar and others in Mumbai. Mahadev Govind Ranade founded the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and the Prarthana Samaj along with Ramakrishna Bhandarkar. They believed in the emancipation of women and the oppressed classes and ending caste system.

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SOUTH INDIA AND ANDHRA LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TO CASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA
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VEERASALINGAM {18481919}
Kandukuri Veerasalingam fought vigorously against social evils and heralded a social revolution in Andhra Pradesh. Encouraged inter caste marriages. Avid leader and a great writer. He was the author of the first Telugu novel, Rajashekhara Charitra. Constructed the first Brahmo Mandir in AP in 1887 and the Hithakarini School in 1908. Started a home for widows and a magazine in Telugu called Viveka Vardhini. Started a weekly called Satyavadhini and started a school for girls inCHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM Dowlaiswaram.

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PERIYAR RAMASWAMI {1879-1973}

A staunch atheist in Tamil Nadu, Periyar Ramaswami devoted his life fighting the caste system and the dominance of the Brahmins. He is commonly called E V Ramasami. Founded an organization called Dravida Kazhgam for the benefits of the Dalits. This organization fought for the reservation of government jobs for the Dalits and downtrodden. As a result of this agitation, the first amendment in the Indian constitution was made to safeguard the rights of discriminated Indians.
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CONTINUATION..
Believed that all men and women should be given equal opportunities to develop. Was against the superiority of the Brahmins, who according to him, were Aryans descended from the North, oppressing the local Dravidians. Started the Self-respect Movement to safeguard the rights of the Dravidian people. Was a prominent leader of the Justice Party . Believed that equality would become a reality only when the caste system was eradicated.
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SRI NARAYANA GURU {1854-1939}

Founded the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in 1903 in Kerala. He gave the call one religion, one caste and one God for Mankind. Fought for the emancipation of the oppressed in society, especially for the Ezhavas. Laid the foundation of many temples without the images of gods and goddesses. Established the Aruvipuram temple where people of all castes were allowed entry. Established educational institutions for the progress of Dalits. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM

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TEACHINGS OF NARAYANA GURU

Oru jaathi oru matham oru daivam manushyanu All humans have just one caste, one religion and one god. Any religion will suffice, if it makes a person a better human. Knowledge is power, so gain freedom through education. Unity is strength, so unite and fight for your rights.
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EASTERN INDIA

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SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a popular religious teacher in 19th century Bengal. Founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to propagate the teachings of his guru. He strongly condemned the caste system and urged his countrymen to work for the upliftment of the poor. He instilled in their minds a sense of pride and patriotism by reminding them of their countrys rich and ancient culture. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM

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RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY

He founded the Brahmo Sabha in 1828. The Brahmo Samaj reflected the ideologies of the Bengal Renaissance. The main doctrine was that they were against the caste system. In all fields of social reform, including abolition of the caste and dowry system, emancipation of women, and improving the educational system.
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BENGAL RENAISSANCE
The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reform movement during the 19th and early 20th centuries in the region of Bengal during the British rule (before partition of Bengal). 19th century Bengal was marked by a unique blend of religious and social reformers, scholars, literary giants, journalists, patriotic orators and scientists, all merging to form the image of a renaissance- transition from the medieval to the modern.
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MAHATMA GANDHI {18691948}

His greatest achievement in the field of social reform was the campaign against the inhuman institution of untouchability, which had degraded millions of Indians. He coined the term Harijan which meant the children of god. and started a magazine called Harijan in 1933. He declared that this was no less important than the political struggle for freedom. Untouchabiltity had no sanction in CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM the Hindu scriptures.

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CONTINUATION.
He knew that there could be no true freedom for India as long as millions of Indians suffered from the scourge of untouchability. He led by an example. In his ashram, people of all castes were together and he personally washed the toilets of his ashram to show people that such tasks did not make anyone dirty. He ate food and drank water from the homes of Harijans something orthodox Hindus would never have considered. Harijan Sevak Sangh, also known as the Anti Untouchability League was CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM established by him.

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B.R.AMBEDKAR {1891-1956}
The architect of the Indian Constitution, devoted his entire life to fight against caste oppression. Organized the All India Scheduled Castes Federation for this purpose. His first published work was a paper on Castes in India: their mechanism, genesis and development. Insisted on the necessity of separate electorates for the oppressed classes. But Mahatma Gandhi was against this. An agreement called the Poona Pact was reached through which the idea of separate electorates for the oppressed classes were abandoned, but the seats reserved for them in the legislatures were CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM increased.

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CONTINUATION.
Studied Law and Economics at the London School of Economics. Started a weekly called Mooknayak ( Leader of the Silent) in Mumbai. He started an organization called Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha. As a member of the Mumbai Legislative Council in 1926, he led non violent protest to assert the right of the untouchables to enter temples and draw water from public wells and tanks. Was declined admission to the temple because he was a Dalit and had to undergo humiliations. Urged the Dalits to cast aside religious taboos that bound them to servitude. Towards the end of his life, he adopted CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM Buddhist faith.

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ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE CASTE SYSTEM

Social injustices like untouchability and discrimination were given the sanction of religion. The upper castes oppressed the lower castes. This created economic and social inequalities across the country for generations. With several sub castes arising, Indian society became fragmented. People were identified with caste and they had no sense of nationalism and rarely united against a threat to the nation. Caste systems were hindrances to individual progress, they did not recognize individual talent. This encouraged incompetence and affected the quality of the Indian society.
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IMPACT OF REFORM MOVEMENTS

Reformers untiring efforts responsible for awakening the people. Due to this the British government passed laws abolishing practices like sati and child marriage. All were treated equally and this feeling of oneness led to the growth of nationalism. After the freedom of India, untouchability became punishable by law. Affirmative action, i.e., a set of actions taken to remove existing discrimination and to remedy the effects of past discrimination, was taken by government. Dalits and tribals were scheduled into this Affirmative action by including them in the 9th schedule of the Constitution. They were given new names of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The shudras were called other backward castes(OBCs). CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 30

CONTINUATION
Reserved quotas for them in governing bodies, government offices and institutions of higher education. This was done to ensure oppressed people competing equally with others. Through this there has been slow improvement of lives of the backward people. The live example is Mayawati Kumari. Despite being a Dalit woman, she became the chief minister of UP in 2007 with a thumping majority. Leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP), her rise to the post of the chief minister of one of the most politically powerful states of India, is a proof of how things have changed in India.
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CONCLUSION
Challenging age old perceptions of social inequality and justice through mass movements became possible through books, newspapers and magazines that helped to circulate new ideas amongst the common people. The British were careful not to arouse the hostility of the orthodox sections of the society. So the reforming Indian society became possible only by the government of free India. The struggle against the evils of the caste system still continues to move and it is an uphill tasks before the Indians. Hoping to see the beautifully reformed India ahead!!!!!
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/merits-anddemerits-of-indian-caste-system-essay/4096/ http://www.shareyouressays.com/87475/essay-onmerits-and-demerits-of-caste-system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India http://www.slideshare.net/danigrose/caste-system-ppt Milestones social studies book by Madhubun Publications. Chapter 09 Challenging the caste system from pages 72 to 75. Getting Ahead in Social Science with CCE by Orient Black Swan Publications. Chapter 10 of Challenging the Caste system from pages 70 to 74.
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