Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race or class, as in India. Usually, but not always, members of the same caste are of the same social rank, have similar group of occupations and typically have mores which distinguish it from other groups.[1] The word caste can also just generally refer to any rigid system of cultural or social distinctions[2]
Although Indian society is often now associated with the word "caste", it was first used by the Portuguese to describe inherited class status in their own European society. English caste is from Latin castus[3] "pure, cut off, segregated", and is etymologically related to carere "to cut off".[4] Application to Indian social groups originates in the 17th century, via Portuguese casta "breed, race, caste". This terminology has informed and greatly influenced the negative European view of caste.
The Indian Caste System has 4 main groups:
Early Indian texts like the Manusmriti and the Puranas speak of 'Varna,' which means order, nature, type or colour. It groups the society into four idealised main types as follows.
- Brahmins/Brahmans (scholars, teachers, fire priests)
- Kshatriyas (warriors, kings, administrators)
- Vaishyas (merchants, agriculturists)
- Shudras (artisans, service providers)
