Caste System
Definition
A caste system is a social structure where people are divided into distinct levels based on their birth, occupation, or wealth, and these divisions often determine their social status, rights, and opportunities.
Analogy
Consider high school cliques as an example. You have jocks, nerds, popular kids etc., each group has its own status level and it's hard to move from one group to another - just like how it's difficult to change your caste once you're born into it.
Related terms
Varna System: An ancient Indian class structure similar to the caste system; it divided society into four main categories based on occupation and birth.
Untouchables/Dalits: In India’s caste system, these were the people at the very bottom who performed menial jobs considered 'unclean'. They were treated as outcasts by the rest of society.
Brahmins: The highest caste in the Hindu caste system, traditionally made up of priests and scholars.
"Caste System" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (3)
- How did the views on social hierarchy differ between the feudal system in Europe and the caste system in India during 1450-1750?
- How did the caste system impact social mobility in colonial India under British rule?
- How might the global outcomes of race and class between 1450-1750 have been different if Spain had not imposed a caste system during its colonial rule?
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